Explore the best rated trails in New Castle, PA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Armstrong Trails and Panhandle Trail . With more than 44 trails covering 4424 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.
Having ridden from Rosston to East Brady in 2021, a buddy and I decided to ride the newly opened southern end of the Armstrong. In a nutshell, It is not as nice. Starting again from the Rosston boat marina we headed south. Right away the surface is not as smooth as going north. Instead of a fine limestone sand, the surface appears to be a sort of fairly small gravel, close to what is known as crusher run but not quite. It is still quite rideable however. This section of the trail has little to see for quite a ways. Eventually, you come upon some riverside cottages. These are not as nice as the ones up towards East Brady but they’re okay. That’s it till you hit Schenley where you come upon abandoned or near abandoned factories - signs of the industrial decay in the area. At the end is the highlight of the trip, the newly opened bridge over the Kiskiminetas River. They did a very nice job on this and it’s pretty long. After the bridge we headed up the Kiski on the trail (also called the Leechburg Towpath). This section was less appealing. Right away there is some kind of rental campground for campers right along the river with campers packed in and there is a dirt road immediately to the left of the trail. It takes a while but you get past these. The ride in the woods is punctuated by acid mine drainage several places and then you come upon the large, abandoned Allegheny Ludlum steel plant. After riding past this for a ways the trail just pops out onto what was obviously an access road to the factory at one point. We weren’t sure if the trail continued but kept riding up the road. No one we saw knew either, there were no signs. After a ways we came to a gate across the road with a bike bypass and there was an Armstrong Trails sign there. This may be the end of the trail but we rode on a bit and saw the familiar green and white bike route signs and followed on. They led us on some bike paths and low traffic streets in Leechburg to the Leechburg Riverfront Park. If you ride this way be sure to stop here. They have picnic tables and a gazebo and it’s a very nice rest and lunch spot. After lunch we continued on as the signs took us on more side streets to the Hyde Park Foot Bridge - a suspension type bridge across the Kiski. Definitely worth the short ride. That was the end of the trail and we headed back. Note that there is less shade on this trail and we were cooked by the sun on the way back. While I gave the north end of the Armstrong four stars this section barely rates three. Stick to the north section if you’re riding for the first time.
Parked at Kline Road, though no designated parking area, there was enough space off to the side of the road to park one vehicle without blocking the gate and lane. Headed West approx 2 miles and turned around. Trail is flat, sits high up almost as high as the next ridge over, and looking way down is Sandy Creek. Surface was dirt, cinder and gravel. Very wide in some areas, almost like a 2 lane back road. Doable on a gravel bike or mountain bike and possibly a hybrid with wider tires such as 700x45's.
Ok section, kind of dull. Agriculture & cows. Found a bit of shade by a grain elevator for lunch. Several washouts filled with tumbleweeds as you get closer to Lind.
Early Spring Ride: Foxburg to Parker. This paved section is 2.5 miles in length runs between the two towns, along the Allegheny River and crosses the Clarion River. Trees are still bare. Spotted an Eagles nest across the river near the Clarion River Bridge (look towards Foxburg). On a sidenote, the Foxburg to Emlenton section is still dirt/mud and not developed as of yet.
Mid March, we parked at Snyder Park on Johnston Road at McMillen Road and headed out the trail to Buttermilk Falls. The trail is packed crushed limestone. Very scenic walk (hike) as it follows Cowanshannock Creek. Trail is a little over a mile in length, at the end you will find Buttermilk Falls.
While in the area we checked out this trail. It's a nice place for walking/running. No pets, bikes, roller blades, etc. Very handy for those who live in or around Oakmont. There are no designated parking lots so park wherever you can find a spot along Allegheny River Blvd. Good luck navigating through the borough of Oakmont as it seems every turn is right turn only and the traffic lights take forever. Worth it though if you end up at Oakmont Bakery, 2 blocks from the trail!
Rare 70 degree day mid-March provided a great opportunity to get out and enjoy the trail. Trail is free of any ice/snow and wet leaves. Paved surface for 6 miles from Meadville to Krider Road. Beans trailhead has a new layer of gravel so it won't be as much of a mud hole in the Spring!
Lots of snow, then melt, then more snow, then ice, then thaw. Mid February the latest conditions are ice on the bottom, several inches of hard packed snow in the middle, and 1/2" of fresh powder on top. Actually great for XC skiing and walking.
February 2025. Parked at the Bailey Road trailhead and walked. The trail was icy as was the parking lot. Had to walk along side of the trail. Still nice to enjoy the trail in the Winter!
February 2025 weeks of ice and snow and cold weather. The snow had melted off but the actual trail remained very icy. Use caution!
Winter Walk, January 2025. Plenty of snow on the trail. At this time a little icy. Can XC ski it. Or ride fat tire bike.
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