Explore the best rated trails in Oil City, PA. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Redbank Valley Rail Trail and Clarion Highlands. With more than 38 trails covering 414 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.
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Starting in Meadville, known as the home of the zipper, the 7.2-mile Ernst Trail closes the gap between the city and surrounding forests and farms for visitors. The trail is named for Calvin Ernst,...
The Clarion Highlands Trail is one of the highest rail-trails in the Commonwealth. It traverses the Allegheny Plateau, passing over the divide between the Clarion and Allegheny Rivers, and follows the...
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The East Branch Trail is a rare dual-lane rail-trail. The 8-foot asphalt lane serves walkers, bicyclists, in-line skaters, and people in wheelchairs. Horses, specifically horses pulling Amish buggies...
It’s hard to believe that the world’s first oil boom occurred along the path of what’s now the Oil Creek State Park Trail. The park’s forests, beaver ponds, and trout streams were once the site of oil...
The Oil City Trail connects the Samuel Justus Recreation Trail and the McClintock Trail through the center of Oil City, Pennsylvania. The 2-mile walking and biking pathway runs along the Allegheny...
Rail 66 Country Trail is a rustic trail paralleling Route 66, that begins in the Village of Marianne near the Clarion Junction (SR 322/SR 66) and extends north to the Clarion/Forest County line. The...
The short but scenic Cowanshannock Trail is a great pathway for hikers, walkers, and bikers to use to link to the larger Armstrong Trail. The Cowanshannock is 1.27 miles long, and plans are to extend...
Moraine State Park features a nearly seven mile bike trail, which follows the north shore of Lake Arthur. Along the way, you'll enjoy beautiful scenery, especially during the fall as trees line the...
Located on the western side of the Allegheny National Forest, this trail extends north to south, parallel to the Allegheny River from the town of Tidioute to Grove Run. The trail retains much of the...
If Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow on Groundhog Day, Mahoning Shadow Trail users expect six more weeks of winter before spring arrives. The 15-mile Central Pennsylvania trail passes through the...
As it winds along Oil Creek, McClintock Trail connects Oil Creek State Park with Oil City. Note that much of the route is on-road. Just south of the park, a 1.8-mile section on Waitz Road, a dirt...
Running 1.5 miles, the Queen City Trail serves as a community connector for the small city of Titusville, where the American oil industry began in 1859. The trail provides a short, paved connection...
Tracing a section of the abandoned Rural Valley Railroad corridor the Great Shamokin Path parallels the Cowanshannock Creek for 3.5 miles. The eastern part of the trail, which is surfaced primarily...
Oil flows through the veins of the Samuel Justus Recreation Trail. Its northern departure point is Oil City, which was founded during the 1860s oil boom and became the headquarters for several...
The Bayfront Connector Trail, also known as the Bayfront Bikeway, offers a paved route across the city of Erie in northwestern Pennsylvania. At its east end is the Penn State Behrend campus; from...
The Trout Island Trail is planned to be a 13-mile rail-trail along the former Erie and Pittsburgh Railroad. Currently, 2.4 miles are open and fully paved in Sharpsville, following the Shenango River...
This moderately difficult trail features great views of Minister Creek and passes by several outstanding rock outcropings, the latter about 1 mile from the trailhead parking lot. This heavily used...
Built in 1871 to transport the region’s high-quality limestone to support Pittsburgh’s growing steel industry, the Butler Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad was the first railroad in Butler County....
Located along the banks of Conewango Creek, the open 3-mile segment of this proposed 11-mile trail follows an old New York Central branch north from the city of Warren. Designed to serve primarily as...
The 11.7-mile John C. Oliver Multi-Purpose Loop Trail is a centerpiece of Maurice K. Goddard State Park, which spans 2,856 acres in northwestern Pennsylvania. The mostly shaded, paved, off-road trail...
The Redbank Valley Trail follows a rail corridor developed by the Allegheny Valley Railroad in 1872 to carry passengers, coal, and lumber to Pittsburgh and beyond. Passenger service along the line...
The Five Bridges Trail in northwestern Pennsylvania uses a portion of the former Pittsburgh and Shawmut Railroad corridor, which ran from Brockway to Brookville. Begin at the western end of the...
Deep within the Allegheny National Forest lies a rail-trail with a past. The Kinzua Valley Trail follows the route of the former Kinzua and Hemlock Railroad (later Valley Railroad) near the town of...
Moraine State Park features a nearly seven mile bike trail, which follows the north shore of Lake Arthur. Along the way, you'll enjoy beautiful scenery, especially during the fall as trees line the...
Rail 66 Country Trail is a rustic trail paralleling Route 66, that begins in the Village of Marianne near the Clarion Junction (SR 322/SR 66) and extends north to the Clarion/Forest County line. The...
The Shenango River Trail once served as a towpath along the Erie Canal Extension. During the mid-1800s, mules pulled boats along the canal, linking goods from the Great Lakes to Pittsburgh and beyond....
Crossing the state line into New York near Erie, Pennsylvania, the 7-mile trail runs through the beautiful Brokenstraw Valley, passing small streams, a tamarack swamp, deciduous woods and...
This trail is not groomed. Three stacked loops offer a variety of hiking and skiing opportunities at a range of difficulty levels. The trail starts out on a railroad grade along Big Mill Creek. This...
The Mill Creek Trail serves as a connector between Twin Lakes Recreation Area and the Brush Hollow Trail. Just south of Forest Road 138, the Mill Creek Trail leaves the Twin Lakes Trail and heads...
Oil flows through the veins of the Samuel Justus Recreation Trail. Its northern departure point is Oil City, which was founded during the 1860s oil boom and became the headquarters for several...
The Clarion Highlands Trail is one of the highest rail-trails in the Commonwealth. It traverses the Allegheny Plateau, passing over the divide between the Clarion and Allegheny Rivers, and follows the...
The East Branch Trail is a rare dual-lane rail-trail. The 8-foot asphalt lane serves walkers, bicyclists, in-line skaters, and people in wheelchairs. Horses, specifically horses pulling Amish buggies...
Located on the western side of the Allegheny National Forest, this trail extends north to south, parallel to the Allegheny River from the town of Tidioute to Grove Run. The trail retains much of the...
This trail is not groomed. The trail is a combination of logging roads, railroad grades and pipelines that offer challenges to a wide range of skill levels. Trail is marked with blue diamonds.
The short but scenic Cowanshannock Trail is a great pathway for hikers, walkers, and bikers to use to link to the larger Armstrong Trail. The Cowanshannock is 1.27 miles long, and plans are to extend...
You’ll want to pack water, food, and flashlights to travel the Sandy Creek Trail, as it crosses 12 miles of remote, but scenic, countryside in Northwestern Pennsylvania. Named for separate Sandy...
The Oil City Trail connects the Samuel Justus Recreation Trail and the McClintock Trail through the center of Oil City, Pennsylvania. The 2-mile walking and biking pathway runs along the Allegheny...
If Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow on Groundhog Day, Mahoning Shadow Trail users expect six more weeks of winter before spring arrives. The 15-mile Central Pennsylvania trail passes through the...
This trail passes through a variety of pleasing landscapes. The area near Crane Run is especially scenic. The trail is marked with white diamonds. The skill level of this trail is rated more...
The Armstrong Trail connects riverfront towns along the east bank of the Allegheny River as it winds through the lush Allegheny Plateau. The flat trail, currently 35.5 miles, follows the river...
This trail is not groomed. Three stacked loops offer a variety of hiking and skiing opportunities at a range of difficulty levels. The trail starts out on a railroad grade along Big Mill Creek. This...
The Five Bridges Trail in northwestern Pennsylvania uses a portion of the former Pittsburgh and Shawmut Railroad corridor, which ran from Brockway to Brookville. Begin at the western end of the...
Running 1.5 miles, the Queen City Trail serves as a community connector for the small city of Titusville, where the American oil industry began in 1859. The trail provides a short, paved connection...
Built in 1871 to transport the region’s high-quality limestone to support Pittsburgh’s growing steel industry, the Butler Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad was the first railroad in Butler County....
It’s hard to believe that the world’s first oil boom occurred along the path of what’s now the Oil Creek State Park Trail. The park’s forests, beaver ponds, and trout streams were once the site of oil...
The East Branch Trail is a rare dual-lane rail-trail. The 8-foot asphalt lane serves walkers, bicyclists, in-line skaters, and people in wheelchairs. Horses, specifically horses pulling Amish buggies...
The Redbank Valley Trail follows a rail corridor developed by the Allegheny Valley Railroad in 1872 to carry passengers, coal, and lumber to Pittsburgh and beyond. Passenger service along the line...
Rail 66 Country Trail is a rustic trail paralleling Route 66, that begins in the Village of Marianne near the Clarion Junction (SR 322/SR 66) and extends north to the Clarion/Forest County line. The...
The Trout Island Trail is planned to be a 13-mile rail-trail along the former Erie and Pittsburgh Railroad. Currently, 2.4 miles are open and fully paved in Sharpsville, following the Shenango River...
The Marienville Bike Trail is part of a system of roads and trails in the Allegheny National Forest. The trails are open to mountain bikes, trail bikes, and ATVs and are rated as difficult because of...
The route is primitive and unimproved. The trail crosses several streams that are not bridged. The trail follows the scenic Tionesta Creek with lots of great scenery and fishing.
If Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow on Groundhog Day, Mahoning Shadow Trail users expect six more weeks of winter before spring arrives. The 15-mile Central Pennsylvania trail passes through the...
Tracing a section of the abandoned Rural Valley Railroad corridor the Great Shamokin Path parallels the Cowanshannock Creek for 3.5 miles. The eastern part of the trail, which is surfaced primarily...
Located on the western side of the Allegheny National Forest, this trail extends north to south, parallel to the Allegheny River from the town of Tidioute to Grove Run. The trail retains much of the...
Starting in Meadville, known as the home of the zipper, the 7.2-mile Ernst Trail closes the gap between the city and surrounding forests and farms for visitors. The trail is named for Calvin Ernst,...
The Shenango River Trail once served as a towpath along the Erie Canal Extension. During the mid-1800s, mules pulled boats along the canal, linking goods from the Great Lakes to Pittsburgh and beyond....
Oil flows through the veins of the Samuel Justus Recreation Trail. Its northern departure point is Oil City, which was founded during the 1860s oil boom and became the headquarters for several...
This moderately difficult trail features great views of Minister Creek and passes by several outstanding rock outcropings, the latter about 1 mile from the trailhead parking lot. This heavily used...
Fifty years after the last trolley cars ran on the Penn-Ohio Electric System between Youngstown, Ohio, and New Castle, Pennsylvania, in 1932, travelers on foot, bikes, and skates began using the...
The short but scenic Cowanshannock Trail is a great pathway for hikers, walkers, and bikers to use to link to the larger Armstrong Trail. The Cowanshannock is 1.27 miles long, and plans are to extend...
I've been biking this for almost 20 years. The Belmar bridge over the Allegheny River is one of the most spectacular views I've ever encountered while biking. This is truly one of my favorite trails. The trail sits a top of Turkey Run as it meanders back and forth below. There are so many great little bridges along this trail. A must ride in my book.
Nice little picnic shelter at the beginning of the trail. Nice ride. Cool little covered bridge towards the end. Stopped at Timber Creek on the way home.
The trail is awesome! It’s an old rail bed that follows the river south for 4 miles from Tidioute. It’s soft, grassy ground (not gravel or cinders) is flat. There are some puddles when wet but the trail is well maintained and a real treat use! Will use it for running and biking every chance possible when in the area.
Nice trail on a beautiful summer day. Trail is approx 5 miles in length. Rode it back and forth twice to get in 20 miles. Goes through open areas passed cornfields and wooded areas. Trail is mostly shaded, and kinda on the buggy side so wear some bug spray! You will see sections of French Creek along the trail.
Flat and fast asphalt pavement.
I've ridden this trail several times. This was the first time I've been able to go to end to end without some kind of obstruction or construction. It's a relaxing trail, but if you go on a road bike - ride with caution on the Ohio portion. It will absolutely blow out a tire if you're not paying attention.
Parked at Marianne and rode to Leeper. It is a 12 mile ride. Had trouble finding parking lot on rt 322. Sign for trail is small. Parking lot next to a meat processing store. Can park up to 12 cars. The trail to Leeper is all paved. You will ride through woods and farm land. My wife and I agreed it is much easier riding back from Leeper. More downhill and you will coast at times. On the way you will pass through Lucinda. You will see an old train station, general store, and it appears an old hotel. You can pick up a trail map at the start of your ride. There is no water on the trail but there is a sign to bike 1000ft off trail to an ice cream stand. There is a restroom at mile 7.5. This trail is an easy ride and there are future plans to pave more of the trail. I rode a quarter of a mile on the unpaved trail at Leeper and it is very rough. When they pave more I will do this trail again. RDD
Great trail but currently there is a section that is washed out and impassable. 20 mile marker coming up from the armstrong trail.
I was in the Beaver County area for about a week. I new of some local areas to ride (I had my bike with me in case I had a chance to get out and ride) I rode a couple areas which were nice but not too long.
I found the TrailLink app and discovered so many trails! The Stavich trail was about 20 miles away but looked really fun.
I started on the Pa side and really enjoyed it.
Loved that there was a working railroad right beside the trail! Several trains went by as I was riding. Lots of little wood bridges to ride over. Nice creeks, wildlife and tree cover.
Heading in to the Ohio side did get a little bumpy but reading the reviews ahead of time really helped me prepare for it. Knowing ahead made it a non issue.
The only thing that I would have liked to seen was more portable toilets.
I don’t believe I saw any to be honest.
Anyway, marked that in down as “completed”!
Biked from Franklin to the Belmar Bridge. The 3rd trail that day on the Allegheny Valley Trails Association trail. Also biked Samuel Justus and Sandy Creek.
From Franklin to the Belmar Bridge is approx 5 miles. Trail follows the river and is basically flat and asphalt paved. New pavement within the past few years.
Trail services in Franklin but nothing as you travel South.
Great all around trail.
Flat and fast asphalt paved trail from the parking lot in Franklin to the boat ramp in Oil City. 6 miles of paved from Franklin to OC then about 1/4 mile of gravel until the remaining 3/4 mile of asphalt pavement. Parking in Franklin along Route 322 is a lot which holds many cars! Another lot on the Oil City end near the water treatment plant which holds approx 20 cars and additional parking at the very North end at the Oil City boat ramp. Trail goes along the Allegheny River through mostly wooded areas. You will see old Oil wells along the trail. Biked this one with friends on the same day as the Sandy Creek Trail.
16 mile round-trip from the Belmar Bridge to Van, and back. Nice asphalt paved trail. Slight uphill from Belmar to Van, but the return trip is a breeze! There was a volunteer from the trail who was trimming the grass along the trail. The trail crosses over Sandy Creek several times on wooden bridges. One short tunnel. There are no facilities on the stretch from Belmar to Van so be sure to take water. Parking at Belmar for approx 15 vehicles and the same at the Van end. July 15 rode with some friends. Also rode the Justus and Allegheny River trail the same day so I got in 40 miles all together.
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