Find the top rated walking trails in Bear Lake, whether you're looking for an easy short walking trail or a long walking trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a walking trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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Parked in Emlenton, 27 miles South of Franklin and headed North to just North of the Kennerdell Tunnel approx 13 miles South of Franklin. This section has two lengthy tunnels, need a light. Very well shaded with views of the Allegheny River. The trade off is that this section is super bumpy with uplifted asphalt pavement due to tree roots. You'll ride along and then all of a sudden hit a series of roots which catch you off guard as they are not marked and difficult to see. Some stretches it's uplifted asphalt one after another. We usually ride this section once per year and since last year it's gotten progressively worse. Other than the washboard areas, this is a good trail. Once a year is enough.
Rode from the Franklin trailhead off of route 322 to the Kennerdell Tunnel and a bit beyond. The majority of the trail was paved and smooth. The gravel section just North of Kennerdell was challenging for my wife and the couple riding with us, (Skinny tires) Otherwise a scenic and fun adventure! (A 5 Beer Rating)🍺🍻🍻😎
We biked the entire length of the trail and it's various surfaces. Meadville end is paved and well shaded. On the western side of Route 19 it's gravel for a few miles, very rough. Traveling further West towards Conneaut Lake it's dirt and bumpy and seems to have gotten worse since we last rode on this section. Will stick to it on foot or snowshoeing in the Winter. Pretty scenery though and a good bit shaded. We ate at Silver Shores in Conneaut Lake across the street from the trail. At the Conneaut Lake trailhead, just behind Conneaut Wine Cellars, there is a new pavlion which is very nice.
We accessed this trail in Franklin where the Allegheny River Trail ends. Seamless connection offers an additional 7 miles from Franklin to Oil City. Flat rail trail, paved, follows the Allegheny River. Historic signs and sights along the way. A little bit of shaded areas.
We are camping at Lampe and can travel West or South on this trail along the Bayfront. Going WEST, the is currently a lot of construction, but when done should be a nice improvement. I like this western part as it travels along the bayfront and around Frontier park. Many good sights and watering holes. Sloppy Duck one of them. It also connects via a marked bike path to Presque Isle Drive to the beautiful 13 plus paved trail around the Peninsula.
Now, leaving the campground and heading south towards Behrend Campus is a different story. The first 2 or 3 miles is through the eastern part of the city. Traffic noise as you're right adjacent to the Bayfront highway. You will see a lot of decay from past industries. The trail itself is littered with trash and weed growth. Today, I was passed by two gas powered motorcycles, like dirt bikes going at a high rate of speed. There is little to no law enforcement. And no upkeep. I have encountered broken glass and drug paraphernalia in the past amongst the trash. About 3 miles out the trail leaves the jurisdiction of Erie and once into Millcreek becomes very nice and well maintained. Erie is a bike friendly town and does a great job with their bike trails other than this section going south from the bayfront to about 38th street. This section goes through an urban rundown area and is completely neglected.
Recently resurfaced, the entire trail is smooth asphalt that circles the Presque Isle peninsula. Plenty of parking along the beginning of the trail . We rode in the morning and trail was mostly shaded. Nice stopping points. Would also recommend to take a small detour towards the Coast Guard station and see the grandfathered bay housing and the lighthouse point of the bay channel. Well done PA, this is a flagship trail.
While in the area, we rode the Foxburg to Parker section, we drove to nearby Emlenton and biked from there to Rockland (tunnel) and back. There is a missing link of trail between Foxburg and Emlenton that has been under development for a few years and they are getting closer but not as of yet. This entire trail section is 27.5 miles in length, flat and paved. Some rooty sections but to be expected with all the shade you will get in return. We did not ride the tunnels due to we forgot our lights. A nice day on the trail enjoying the shade and views of the Allegheny River. Trail services in Emlenton a pizza shop, ice cream shop, Dollar store and convenience store.
Foxburg to Parker detached section is paved and 2.5 miles in length. Parking at each end. This section is very well shaded, trail conditions: a few roots sprouting up in the asphalt. Trail services in Foxburg include places to eat. Trail services in Parker which is a commute by road across the bridge, there is a place to eat. Enjoy the shade!
Everything south of Simmons road is spectacular. North of Simmons rd however has very minimal maintenance and do not recommend.
Franklin to Brandon and back, always an enjoyable ride on this trail. Beautiful views of the Allegheny River. Water levels are down from last month when we had so much rain. Trail gates recently painted look great!
We biked from Emlenton northerly for just under an hour. Going through the tunnel was cool. Make sure you have a light. A little bumpy due to tree roots bulging the pavement but really enjoyed it. Follows the river. Saw deer and rabbits.
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