Find the top rated birding trails in Butler, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
We parked at Kirk Road and biked to the Mahoning/Trumbull County line and picked up the Niles Bikeway into Niles for additional miles. MetroParks Bikeway has been repaved within the past few years, surface good. Not a whole lot of shade though. There is a bike rental at the Kirk Road trailhead. Also sells bottled water. We headed towards Canfield on the trail in the opposite direction. Great trail!
We biked on this trail coming seamlessly off the Metro Parks trail. This trail begins at Countyline....the Mahoning and Trumbull County lines. Trail is asphalt paved in good condition. One busy road crossing just below Meander Reservoir. At the Niles trailhead the trail extends 2/10 of a mile over at least one bridge. Eventually it will connect with the Western Reserve Trail in Warren.
Group ride. We parked in Franklin and biked South to Sunnyslope for 12.5 miles and back. This is the best section of the trail since everything from Kennerdell tunnel and South is like a washboard. 3.25 miles South of Franklin there is a hillside erosion and caution tape, since April 2026. Follow along the trail and go through the grass.
Nice smooth, basically flat trail. Many benches to take a break if needed.
We went on a pleasant, mostly cloudy day in August. Went from mile 58 to 46 and back. This section is a very nice, mostly rural/woods trail. The surface (crushed limestone) is generally good; the trail is sometimes as wide as a car lane, sometimes narrows down considerably (mostly due to the edges are not in as good shape as the middle). It does cross roads in spots, but most are not busy. I'd say 70% of it is in the shade, with some sections in the sun (but most sun sections are not long, so this would be a good trail for a hot day). Kane has a surprisingly large downtown, with quite a few restaurants (the Table 105 restaurant is quite good). The scenery is not spectacular (no dramatic waterfalls or cliffs) but beautiful woods with lots of large trees and pleasant fields. It was not very crowded when we went.
Nice community trail that links to a beautiful park for kids. Nice ride if you’re in the neighborhood.
Parked at Ebensburg. Did the loop and back to Ebensburg. Nice ride. A couple of areas were a little rough from the rain storms last week but overall in good shape. Will do it again!
This trail is full of curves and gentle hills. And absolute good time to ride. An electric bike with assist is recommended.
On a hot sunny Summer day you will appreciate all the shade this trail has to offer! A good percentage of the trail is well shaded by the foliage. Trail crosses over Sandy Creek numerous times on wooden bridges. Be careful though, these bridges are showing their age as boards seem to be warped and popping up along with nails/screws. Still this isn't a deal breaker! Water level in Sandy Creek is low this time of year. One short tunnel you can get away without a light. Great view from the Belmar Bridge (circa 1907) of the Allegheny River. River level low this time of year. Lowest elevation on the trail is at Fisherman's Cove, highest is at Van. If you plan it out correctly, a slight uphill gradual incline on the first part of your ride, then enjoy the coast back on the return trip. Parking off Fisherman's Cove Road, Belmar, Rockland and Van. Trail surface is asphalt paved, good condition, some bumps due to roots and mossy areas. While in the area check out Allegheny River Trail which can be accessed by steps and a ramp, under the Belmar Bridge.
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.
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.
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