Explore the best rated trails in State College, PA. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Pine Creek Rail Trail and Buffalo Flat Trail. With more than 22 trails covering 281 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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Currently, over 10 miles of the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail are complete. The trail runs between Lewisburg and Mifflinburg, and interpretive signs relate the region's history. The trail is mostly paved...
Serene year-round, the Bellefonte Central Rail Trail (BCRT) in central Pennsylvania runs along 1.3 miles of the old Buffalo Run, Bellefonte and Bald Eagle Railroad corridor. The original 19-mile line...
Stretching 10.6 miles through south-central Pennsylvania, this rail-trail follows the route of the former Huntingdon and Broad Top Mountain Railroad, a standard--gauge railroad founded in 1852 to...
The Bells Gap Rail-Trail is really two trails in one-a flat 2.1-mile southern section with smooth crushed limestone surface, and a rougher, more difficult northern section best-suited for mountain...
Located in beautiful Sinnemahoning State Park in Pennsylvania, the Lowlands Trail uses the former corridor of the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad. The trail and park are now part of the tour...
Part of a larger system in Western Pennsylvania known as the Trans Allegheny Trails, the Ghost Town Trail was named for the long-abandoned towns strung along the tracks of the Ebensburg & Black Lick...
Bald Eagle Valley Trail, formerly known as the Clinton County Rail Trail, offers a pleasant crushed-stone pathway along scenic Bald Eagle Creek and the West Branch Susquehanna River. As you pedal or...
Spurred by the success of New York’s revolutionary Erie Canal, Pennsylvania started constructing its own canal system in 1826 to link Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. But the Allegheny Mountains...
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The David S. Ammerman Trail rolls through Pennsylvania coal country for nearly 11 miles between Clearfield and Grampian, skirting the West Branch of the Susquehanna River and two of its tributaries....
The old railroad line known as the Moshannon, or the Mills Branch, crossed the Moshannon Valley during the mid- to late 1800s. The line was the foundation of the region's late 19th- and early...
The Lower Trail ranks high on the list of many Central Pennsylvania residents when they’re searching for a remote path with a woodsy feel. The Lower (rhymes with flower, and named in memory of trail...
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The Iron Horse Trail follows two abandoned rail beds: the Path Valley Railroad and the Perry Lumber Company Railroad. Originally, the Path Valley Railroad was going to be an extension for the Newport...
The George B. Will Trail in Tiadaghton State Forest is named for an early 20th-century Pennsylvania forest ranger. The trail is popular with cross-country skiers and travels through a mixed-pine...
The old railroad line known as the Moshannon, or the Mills Branch, crossed the Moshannon Valley during the mid- to late 1800s. The line was the foundation of the region's late 19th- and early...
Coordinated by the Snow Shoe Rails to Trails Association (SSRTA), the Snow Shoe Trail caters primarily to ATV and off-road motorcycle enthusiasts. It is open to other users as well, but the rough...
Currently, over 10 miles of the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail are complete. The trail runs between Lewisburg and Mifflinburg, and interpretive signs relate the region's history. The trail is mostly paved...
Part of a larger system in Western Pennsylvania known as the Trans Allegheny Trails, the Ghost Town Trail was named for the long-abandoned towns strung along the tracks of the Ebensburg & Black Lick...
The Cumberland Valley Rail Trail rolls 13.7 miles through a bucolic valley that’s hemmed in by the Blue and South Mountains in south-central Pennsylvania. Running from Shippensburg to east of...
Located in beautiful Sinnemahoning State Park in Pennsylvania, the Lowlands Trail uses the former corridor of the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad. The trail and park are now part of the tour...
Bald Eagle Valley Trail, formerly known as the Clinton County Rail Trail, offers a pleasant crushed-stone pathway along scenic Bald Eagle Creek and the West Branch Susquehanna River. As you pedal or...
Located in one of Pennsylvanias most popular State Parks, the Beaver Dam Trail follows old railroad grades at Parker Dam State Park in Clearfield County. The trail runs past streams, beaver dams,...
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A renovated former railroad tunnel that features a separate entrance for bats is a highlight of the Penns Creek Path. The path is a relatively flat segment of the 328-mile Mid State Trail that runs...
Located in scenic Potter and Clinton Counties, the Susquehannock Hiking Trail is an 85-mile amalgamation of old Civilian Conservation Corps fire trails, logging roads and railroad grades through the...
The Pine Creek Rail Trail is one of Pennsylvania’s destination trails, and for good reason. The 62-mile well--maintained trail runs at the bottom of überscenic Pine Creek Gorge, commonly called the...
Stretching 10.6 miles through south-central Pennsylvania, this rail-trail follows the route of the former Huntingdon and Broad Top Mountain Railroad, a standard--gauge railroad founded in 1852 to...
The David S. Ammerman Trail rolls through Pennsylvania coal country for nearly 11 miles between Clearfield and Grampian, skirting the West Branch of the Susquehanna River and two of its tributaries....
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Included in the seven-mile network of trails in Little Buffalo State Park are two small sections of rail-trail. Together they are called the Newport and Sherman's Valley Railroad Trace. The...
Serene year-round, the Bellefonte Central Rail Trail (BCRT) in central Pennsylvania runs along 1.3 miles of the old Buffalo Run, Bellefonte and Bald Eagle Railroad corridor. The original 19-mile line...
The Bells Gap Rail-Trail is really two trails in one-a flat 2.1-mile southern section with smooth crushed limestone surface, and a rougher, more difficult northern section best-suited for mountain...
Part of a larger system in Western Pennsylvania known as the Trans Allegheny Trails, the Ghost Town Trail was named for the long-abandoned towns strung along the tracks of the Ebensburg & Black Lick...
The Bells Gap Rail-Trail is really two trails in one-a flat 2.1-mile southern section with smooth crushed limestone surface, and a rougher, more difficult northern section best-suited for mountain...
Stretching 10.6 miles through south-central Pennsylvania, this rail-trail follows the route of the former Huntingdon and Broad Top Mountain Railroad, a standard--gauge railroad founded in 1852 to...
The George B. Will Trail in Tiadaghton State Forest is named for an early 20th-century Pennsylvania forest ranger. The trail is popular with cross-country skiers and travels through a mixed-pine...
The Lower Trail ranks high on the list of many Central Pennsylvania residents when they’re searching for a remote path with a woodsy feel. The Lower (rhymes with flower, and named in memory of trail...
Spurred by the success of New York’s revolutionary Erie Canal, Pennsylvania started constructing its own canal system in 1826 to link Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. But the Allegheny Mountains...
Included in the seven-mile network of trails in Little Buffalo State Park are two small sections of rail-trail. Together they are called the Newport and Sherman's Valley Railroad Trace. The...
Lumber mills frequently set up tram cars running on a set of tracks to carry cut timbers from the steep hillsides. The Old Tram Trail is exactly that and has become a short bit of single track to...
The Cumberland Valley Rail Trail rolls 13.7 miles through a bucolic valley that’s hemmed in by the Blue and South Mountains in south-central Pennsylvania. Running from Shippensburg to east of...
Serene year-round, the Bellefonte Central Rail Trail (BCRT) in central Pennsylvania runs along 1.3 miles of the old Buffalo Run, Bellefonte and Bald Eagle Railroad corridor. The original 19-mile line...
The Pine Creek Rail Trail is one of Pennsylvania’s destination trails, and for good reason. The 62-mile well--maintained trail runs at the bottom of überscenic Pine Creek Gorge, commonly called the...
Located in one of Pennsylvanias most popular State Parks, the Beaver Dam Trail follows old railroad grades at Parker Dam State Park in Clearfield County. The trail runs past streams, beaver dams,...
Coordinated by the Snow Shoe Rails to Trails Association (SSRTA), the Snow Shoe Trail caters primarily to ATV and off-road motorcycle enthusiasts. It is open to other users as well, but the rough...
Located in beautiful Sinnemahoning State Park in Pennsylvania, the Lowlands Trail uses the former corridor of the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad. The trail and park are now part of the tour...
The David S. Ammerman Trail rolls through Pennsylvania coal country for nearly 11 miles between Clearfield and Grampian, skirting the West Branch of the Susquehanna River and two of its tributaries....
A renovated former railroad tunnel that features a separate entrance for bats is a highlight of the Penns Creek Path. The path is a relatively flat segment of the 328-mile Mid State Trail that runs...
Currently, over 10 miles of the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail are complete. The trail runs between Lewisburg and Mifflinburg, and interpretive signs relate the region's history. The trail is mostly paved...
The Iron Horse Trail follows two abandoned rail beds: the Path Valley Railroad and the Perry Lumber Company Railroad. Originally, the Path Valley Railroad was going to be an extension for the Newport...
Located in scenic Potter and Clinton Counties, the Susquehannock Hiking Trail is an 85-mile amalgamation of old Civilian Conservation Corps fire trails, logging roads and railroad grades through the...
This is a beautiful trail in the heart of Central PA. It is very close to Arch Springs. I have spent many trips with friends and family on this trail. It's probably one of the most fond memories I have at my time at Penn State. I miss it and hope that I'll get back there one day.
Nice little trail but it has not been completed yet. We biked from Sunset Park in State College and made it as far as Toftrees Apartments. We couldn't really go any further than that. There were some really steep hills on this trail. Not really a good one for kids.
My nephew and I biked this trail from Grampian to Clearfield and back. The trail itself is very well maintained and easy riding, even for a novice like myself. I would say that if you are in marginal physical shape (like myself) you should plan on the climb from Curwensville to Grampian to be what I would call challenging. However, the scenery is fantastic! This trail is well worth visiting!
I would ride this trail again! My husband & I ride rail trails all around PA & as far as we can drive from our home in Philadelphia. This is one of the nicest trails. In addition to the wonderful history of 19th century mining, the trail is well maintained with clean & frequent bathrooms, benches & picnic shelters. Yes, there is a bit of a hill between Vintondale & Nanty Glo, but that is part of the fun. I want to give a thank you to Cambria & Indiana counties for their great work in maintaining this trail.
My wife and I rode the entire Lower Trail out and back on 11 June 2019, and had a wonderful time. We drove out from Camp Hill PA in the morning and stopped for an "MTO" sandwich at the Sheetz in Huntington PA, then parked at the Alfarata (north) end parking lot. It's a beautiful trail that has been on our bucket list for awhile. Saw some wildlife (snakes, turtles, etc), but lived to tell the tale. We highly recommend this trail!
The Ghost Town Trail has grown and evolved over the years into one of the best trails in Pennsylvania. The key things riders should keep in mind for riding this trail is the mountain. I highly recommend heading west to east, up mountain first.
On Memorial Day 2019 I rode the newly opened portion of the trail, designated the C&I Extension, between Vintondale and the northern end of Nanty Glo. Parking in Vintondale and riding north and then east, the round-trip is just more than 30 miles.
I recommend parking in Vintondale and riding north to Route 422, going under the highway, following Vic Miller Road for a short distance and continuing the next eight miles back to toward Nanty-Glo along the trail. Most of the trail is a true railroad grade, so if you want to have a nice ride back to the end, definitely don't start at North Street and ride west and south.
The ride is quiet and serene. There isn't much to look at along the trail, you're in the woods along the first four miles, but the newly opened (as of 2018) portion from Vic Miller Road to North Street has some wide open areas. I would recommend this trip in the autumn, late September and early October is prime leaf season in this portion of the Laurel Highlands.
One note, there is limited parking at a trialhead along Vic Miller Road. At that trailhead, if you're using the "cycling" feature in Google Maps, it shows the trial continuing northwest. That is not the case, with no trespassing signs and a gate blocking the ATV path Google Maps is mistakenly showing as trail.
There are no services along the C&I spur, so pack and plan accordingly.
Overall, this portion of the Ghost Town Trail provides a quiet ride in the forest to escape to, but your legs will be sore the next day from the uphill portions.
I rode the "lower" portion of the Pine Creek Trail in mid-June 2019. I rode from Jersey Shore to Waterville and back, approximately 25 miles round trip.
In addition to parking at the Jersey Shore trailhead lot off of Railroad Street, there is parking in town in the YMCA parking lot where the trail ends.
I recommend beginning your ride in Jersey Shore, as you'll go mostly up hill to start into Waterville.
There are a number of wonderful old railroad bridges you'll cross making your way to Waterville. The mountain views are spectacular along this section, as are the views of the creek below. Expect to see a number of people kayaking and making their way down the creek.
One thing to note, do pay attention to wildlife. I did spot a large black snake sprawled across the trail and a black bear in the distance in the area of the comfort station just south of Waterville.
Overall, this trail is great and worth the drive to Jersey Shore for a ride.
The trail is nice from Houtzdale west. We only road to mile marker 9. There are sections of the trail that are all grass, so you'll probably want a mountain bike. The trail east of Houtzdale is all grass and muddy in spots, so be prepared. The Bilo market is no longer in Houtzdale; it appears to be replaced by a Family Dollar. There's a large parking lot, so you can park there and take one of the streets about a block north to find the trail.
It's a beautiful ride through one of the most scenic areas in the Northeast. The State of Pennsylvania deserves a medal for its work building and maintaining this trail. For all of its 62 miles the trail is consistent, very rideable and well maintained. Campgrounds and access areas along the trail are similarly immaculate - they have a strict carry-in, carry-out policy. There are also several villages along the way and general stores where food and water is available.
My husband and I enjoyed the beautiful weather and rural landscape. Passed many friendly people along the way. Bathroom facilities at each end of the 9 mile Trail. Shaded by tree lined trail broken up with sunny open field areas along the way. Great places for a snack/meal either in Mifflinburg or Lewisburg. Also an Amish "serve yourself" stand midway to pick up some lemonade or a whoopie pie. A country treat.
We are very fortunate to have this great local RTT.
I did not give a 5 star rating because the restroom facilities in Lewisburg were in poor condition and the facilities in Mifflinburg were locked but replaced with a "port-a-potty".
Not only is it beautiful, the people I’ve interacted with are courteous to each other. There is lots of shade making it ideal for very hot days. It’s very flat making it great for people of all ages and abilities.
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