Explore the best rated trails in Milroy, PA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Susquehanna Bikeway and Buffalo Flat Trail . With more than 27 trails covering 257 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
I'm rating this trail for its future potential more than its current condition.
The two segments that currently exist are nice enough, and the trailhead in Castanea is great. The existing trail segments are well-maintained with decent scenery as they follow close to Bald Eagle Creek and the West Branch of the Susquehanna. They can also easily be connected by traveling a couple of miles on quiet roads in between.
When complete, this trail will effectively become a roughly 10-mile extension of the spectacular Pine Creek Trail, creating a continuous path from Lock Haven nearly to Wellsboro.
I spent a few days bikepacking to, from, and on the Pine Creek Trail in early October 2023, and I attempted to use the existing parts of the Bald Eagle Valley Trail since they were more or less along my route. On my way to Pine Creek I took the existing trail segment east from Castanea and then took the roads to the beginning of the second trail segment. I then rode the second trail segment and crossed the (fantastic) bridge over the West Branch of the Susquehanna. After studying maps and satellite images, I thought that it might be possible to exit the trail from the eastern end and continue on a local road toward Jersey Shore. However, the improved trail ends abruptly after crossing the bridge over the West Branch, and I found that there was definitely no way to access any road from this point (especially with a loaded touring bike). The banks on either side of the trail fell away steeply and were thick with brush, and the adjacent land was posted private property. The old rail bed obviously continued east from this point, but it was too overgrown with weeds to ride. I had to backtrack the second trail segment to the bridge on McElhattan Drive in order to cross the West Branch and continue on my way.
I really look forward to the day when I can hop on this trail in Castanea or Lock Haven (or maybe someday even further south?) and travel all the way to the beginning of the Pine Creek Trail in Jersey Shore...
Not to be confused with the nearby and better known Cumberland Valley Rail Trail, the Cumberland County Biker/Hiker Trail is noted for its scenic, natural beauty and for passing several historical sites on its 2.2 mile route through SC PA's South Mountain area, itself the northernmost tip of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Although these lands are now covered with lush forests, gently flowing creeks and placid lakes, historic Pine Grove Furnace and the adjacent village attest to the area's past as a bustling iron works in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The trail begins next to the old, hulking stone furnace and passes near several other relics from this bygone era, including the ironmaster's mansion, which is now a hostel, and Fuller Lake, originally an open pit iron mine that flooded with water. The trail itself follows the route of a long abandoned RR that was used to ship iron produced at the furnace to the rest of the nation.
The first quarter mile of the trail passes along the north shore of Fuller Lake. Despite its origins as an iron mine, the lake is a popular recreation spot and the Fuller Lake Day Use Area includes a picnic area as well as a snack bar, restrooms and a beach open to swimming from late May to early September. This section of the trail has a paved, asphalt surface and is used to provide access to the lake from the nearby village.
Asphalt gives way to crushed stone as the trail enters the woodlands of Michaux State Forest east of the lake. The sounds of wildlife, including birds and numerous small mammals, as well as frogs, crickets and locusts can be heard in the forested wetlands that line nearby Mountain Creek. This section of the trail is also part of the much longer, world famous Appalachian Trail and users may encounter long distance hikers.
A yellow gate located about a mile east of Fuller Lake marks the halfway point on the trail as well as the beginning of the eastern segment, on-road concurrency with the appropriately named Old Railroad Grade Road. This is also the point where the Appalachian Trail diverges, veering right and ascending the mountain toward the Pole Steeple rock outcropping and overlook, while the rail trail and road go right, following Mountain Creek. After another half mile, the trail and road pass Laurel Lake, on its southern shore, treating users to panoramic views, while the thickly forested mountain rises steeply to the south. Unlike the smaller Fuller Lake, Laurel Lake was originally constructed to provide water to a nearby iron forge and a large, concrete dam is still located at its eastern end. Like it's western counterpart, it's now a popular location for boating, fishing and swimming during the warmer months of the year. In addition to the Appalachian Trail, several smaller hiking paths, including the Pole Steeple, Kopenhaver and Mountain Creek trails, branch off this section.
Although this eastern section, which ends at Pine Grove Road near Old Forge Road, has a smooth, asphalt surface, trail users need to be aware that this is also a public road and to look out for cars and trucks using the road to access the lake and several cabins set back in the woods. Despite the low posted speed limit, the narrow width of Old Railroad Grade Road as well as the fact that it passes between a lake shore and the slope of a mountain means that there is little room to move off the trail when yielding to vehicles. Nonetheless, the beauty of the surrounding mountains and valley and historical significance of Pine Grove Furnace State Park make the Cumberland County Biker/Hiker Trail a rewarding experience and worthy addition to South Central PA's greenway system.
My husband and I are always looking for new spaces to share, I am an avid Walker, he in a heavy Wheelchair…. we found the path between the golden soybean fields and enormous trees with its echo filled underpass and arched bridge a delightful hike, within a half hour of home. Boiling Springs and Cafe 101 offers a nice to have a nosh after.
New to this app, but walked this complete trail in late July from shippensburg to newville, it’s well maintained along with beautiful scenery along the way.
I rode from Jersey Shore to outside of Wellsboro and back over two days. The trail is well maintained and number of spots you want to stop at and just watch world go by.
Some things to note:
Bring a physical map since cell phones don't work. The trail is well marked concerning the distance between location but without a map, you don't know where you are exactly. And there are no maps on the trail.
Wear sunscreen. If it's a sunny day, it can be brutal with the sun beating down on you.
Bring extra water. Aside from a few stores (Slate Run and Cedar Run) on the trail, there is no sources of drinkable water on the trail that I could find.
No shelters aside from comfort locations. If a storm rolls in, you’re out of luck.
Overall the trail is a wonderful and one I hope to visit again.
This trail is well maintained! And it's beautiful ¿¿ one of my favorites!
Overall, the ride was frustrating because of poor trail signs. I wouldn’t do this ride again. Although we passed through several parks where the path was pleasant and well shaded, we also rode city streets and sidewalks. There were steep hills (8.5%) that will make the ride challenging. Initially, trail signs were pretty good but farther along several important directional sighs were missing or hidden. In my experience, this isn’t unusual for an urban trail. Thankfully, there was a payoff of riding north along the Susquehanna River for several miles.
This has it all...well maintained and signed trail, multiple rest rooms and camping options along the way, some great towns you'll bike through to grab a bite to eat...you could even combine it with a backpacking or canoe trip.
Starting at the East/Lebanon end we walked to Rausch Creek and along the AT for a bit. Round trip was only about 8 miles and the only pleasant part was the AT. The trail is newly covered with large stones and the camber is extreme. The size of the rocks would make for an uncomfortable bike ride, too. We were both pretty miserable by the end. I gave it an extra star for the shade.
My E bike is pedal assist / no throttle. Needed to see what the bike could do, and what I could do. Started in Grampian, and rode to the outskirts of Clearfield. Quite the downhill into Curwensville. Went about 10 miles and turned around. The last 5 miles was a major uphill climb that I never could’ve done on my regular bike. The E bike and I made it up with no problem. The trail was very diversified and beautiful and I got lots of exercise. Great ride. P.S. I’m 70 years young in case it matters.
I agree about the size of gravel making this not suitable for biking. We turned back. May be nice for a hike.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone
