Explore the best rated trails in Oil City, PA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Mahoning Shadow Trail and Redbank Valley Rail Trail . With more than 40 trails covering 512 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.
We started in Franklin and used the Samuel Justus and Sandy Creek Trails to reach the western terminous of the Clarion Highlands Trail. The segment between 322 and Kline Rd is essentially a vehicle access road, but is quiet and heavily wooded. I would recommend the northern detour from Kline to Camp Hoffman Roads going east and the southern detour going west. Kline has a 185-ft elevation change up to 322, best traveled downhill to the trail! The trail between Fern Rd and Walt Kahle Rd is in a sunken, poorly-drained cut that is badly flooded, and the access from Fern Rd is a muddy mess. We did a short detour on 322. The eastern segment of the trail is mostly double-track with crushed stone, some puddles, mud, and sections of exposed railroad sub-base, that consist of transversely places slabs of rock. On our visit the grassy segment east of Station Rd was overgrown. If you like varied gravel surfaces, you will enjoy this trail (if not the detours). Wider tires with lower pressures are advised. We continued to the Rail 66 Trail using the shoulders on US-322, but there were some big hills and fast traffic involved.
Always great to visit this trail and enjoy the Linesville Spillway, where the ducks walk on the fish! Trail is flat and paved and follows Pymatuning Lake withing Pymatuning State Park. The trail also goes by the Fish hatchery. Plenty of other park activities as well. The trail runs from Fries Road in Linesville to South Chestnut Street in Linesville but plans are in the making to continue the trail from South Chestnut to South Townville Road. Not a lot of shade on this trail, bring sunscreen. While in the area, just 10 minutes away is the Pymatuning Valley Greenway Trail. July, 2026.
Started at the end of 7 Mile road and went to Kane trail head this time. Last time went towards De Young. Both times the trail is nice and smooth, shaded most of the way, and very peaceful.
I love this trail! The elevation is constantly changing. Couple that with many curves and you have a challenging trail if you are someone who rides a bit faster than most. You will encounter steep downhills that end with a 90deg turn, or sometimes a horseshoe turn. I am 79 and find this a great trail on which to hone your skills. And yet you meet the most interesting people enjoying nature at its best. I saw a man on a unicycle just going to town on the curves. Then I saw a woman in her 90s slowly pushing a wheeled walker along. Bless her and her determination to carry on. Keep moving!
July, 2026 ride: Enjoy the shade on this trail during a hot summer day. Most of the 12ish mile loop is through wooded area of the park offering plenty of shade. Biking across the causeway is wide open and at the dam. Creek Road is mostly shaded. The paved path offers rolling Pennsylvania terrain, and a great workout. Some areas of the trail may be mossy. The trail also offers a marked and measured half-marathon course for practice. Mercer County Trails Association, Inc. holds their annual half-marathon every Spring on this trail. While in the park there are plenty of other activities including picnicking, fishing and boating. The year-old Marina offer bait, and boat rentals from kayaks to pontoon. Brand new restrooms in the marina building as well.
I read the reviews and it sounded perfect - mostly shaded and a beautiful loop around Lake Wilhelm. Lots of wildlife. The trail is in great condition and paved. There was a section covered in algae and a little slick. The trail is hilly - nice ups and downs - so you feel rewarded after working to get up the rolling hills and you’re equally thankful for the sections where there aren’t any hills. But for those coming from another state and used to rail trails this was challenging. I could have been slightly more prepared. I will ride this trail again. But just know it’s not a leisurely ride around the beautiful serene lake.
The trail is a nice walk and mostly in the shade. Great for walking but not for biking. There are a lot of tree roots. Great place to walk your dogs.
The detached Foxburg to Parker section of the trail is approximately 2.5 miles in length. Asphalt paved and flat. This section of the trail is very well shaded. Some root damage to the pavement but not like upstream between Emlenton and Kennerdell. Enjoy some time in Foxburg, a few places to eat, an art gallery and winery. Also be sure to check out the progress of the Fox-Hunt Community Park in Foxburg which will offer parking, restrooms and a kayak launch. The 3-mile trail section between Foxburg and Emlenton is not complete and under development.
Always an enjoyable ride along this trail. Most of it's length is well shaded which helps on hot sunny Summer days. This trail never disappoints!
The approx 10 mile paved trail runs through Oil Creek State Park. A few short sections of the trail are beat up and rough but the other 99% of the pavement in good condition. Trail follows Oil Creek. Very well shaded for most of the 10 miles. We saw some bear scat and 2 deer wading in Oil Creek. The road bridge in Petroleum Center near the park office has been closed since 2022 and was due to open in 2026 but now the state is saying 2027 or 2028. Bridge open to pedestrians and cyclists. At the North end of the trail just outside of Titusville is the Queen City Trail which goes into Titusville. It's less than 2 miles in length and paved.
We parked in Franklin and traveled South for 12.5 miles to North Kent Road. Also known as Sunnyslope. Beautiful day on the trail. There is a detour 3 miles South of Franklin due to trail erosion along the Allegheny River. Stay to the grassy side of the trail.
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