Find the top rated birding trails in Dover, 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.
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We parked near the fire department in Midway, PA. The parking lot is situated nearly on the trail with easy access. We took the trail left and rode about 3.5 miles to Sturgeon where the nice asphalt path became crushed rock near the Allegheny Co line. We turned around there preferring the asphalt and rode to Burgettstown, PA. At Burgettstown we turned around and rode back to our car only because we are older folks who bike only about 20 miles round trip. It was a nice cool fall feeling day. We saw many squirrels, birds, and beautiful golden rod fields dotted with purple iron-weed flowers throughout. A Giant Eagle grocery store is very near the McDonald, PA entrance to the trail which is a plus if you wanted to get drinks or snacks for the journey. Overall impression – Washington Co. is the winner when it comes to the Panhandle Trail. They have done an excellent job in making the bike trail smooth with asphalt, conveniently located porta-johns and nicely mowed areas and benches along the trail.
Adding to what smk wrote in the preceding review: The trail is indeed closed a short distance south of Kirk Rd. because of construction on a new I-76 underpass. Going south, the detour around this closure is: West on Kirk Rd, south on Turner Rd., east on Herbert Rd. While the extra distance due to this detour is not much, I gave up on it because Turner road is narrow, shoulderless, and hilly. There is no visibility over hilltops, and a car speeding over one is too likely to knock down a cyclist on the other side. Unsafe, in my opinion. So the remedy was to ride back to the northern trail end, put the bike on the car, drive to the southern trail end, and ride north to the closure point. This interruption spoiled an otherwise nice ride. Based on the work crew I saw (just two guys), this construction job could take a long time.
I just did the newest section, Brinkhaven to Glenmont, today, and it was totally beautiful. Very isolated, very quiet. Two warnings, however. First, there are a few tiny bollards, about 18" high, designed to keep the Amish buggies from using one side of the trail. There aren't too many of them, but they are very solid looking. I wouldn't want to hit one. Second, this trail is a mighty climb for about half its length (then a mighty descent). First time I have needed the granny gear on a Rails-to-Trails. This must have been a REALLY challenging railroad! There are a lot of nice picnic tables along the way for you to rest, and the whole trip is definitely worth the sweat.
Nice trail, but note that it is closed at mile 5 (from the north). Work being done on highway overpasse
The renovated portion of the Panhandle from Burgettstown to Weirton is paved and beautiful. We bicycled this trail in mid-September and the goldenrod was plentiful. There is Harmon Creek next to this section for quite awhile. When we got to West Virginia, the surface changed to dirt and small stones. This was OK, but you can't ride as fast on it. We hoped to have lunch in Weirton, but there are no sandwich or snack places anywhere near the trail. You have to go on the road to the downtown of Weirton, and we did not do that. We went back to Burgettstown and were amazed to get free hot dogs at the Grand Opening of a small market right at the parking lot for the trail. We just lucked out. It is 12 miles from Burgettstown to Weirton with a rise and fall of 500 feet. A great ride.
The Washington count piece, which is the vast majority-is all paved and in great shape! Surprising elevation changes-not enough to gas you but when you do the whole trail from Carnegie to Wierton on a sunny, humid day (57.7miles) it is challenging.
I did the trail on a hybrid bike 🚲, which is a cross between a road bike & mountain bike, and it was fine. The first 6.7 miles from Carnegie are packed gravel, then 4 miles in WV sorta looser gravel. The end in WV is disappointing in that u r in middle of nowhere, surrounded by roads but with no clearly discwrnable way to Wierton city center or Ohio River.
Thumbs up whoever maintains trail-grass cut, trees trimmed, nothing to distract from the task at hand
Loved this trail. Not crowded and nice and flat. I am a new rider and actually made the full ride. 12 miles and mostly shady.
2-day trip planned from Western PA to bike one way and ride train back. Drove pike to Route 21 (area) but somehow could not relate to directions to Canal Towpath. Found Brecksville train station to park and cycled to and into Cleveland (Port of Cleve) and returned with 34 miles of enjoyable riding even with fear of getting lost in Cleve. city streets. Could not locate North Akron train station so followed directions to Berlin. During a previous search I had found Ft. Laurens park and trail entrance but did not realize that it is in fact the Zoar trail and resembles canal towpath but not Ohio & Erie. Rode south to Route 800 and across biker friendly river bridge, but could not convince myself to search trail signs any further. Rode into and North of Berlin to find the much improved trail and enjoyed yet another 27 miles of towpath riding. Having been born and raised in Southern Tusc. County, I will hope to search out the Zoar trailhead and explore much more as only an 81 year old rider can do.
This is a smooth, flat, clean trail which is in excellent condition. The locals love it. In the summers when I ride, I always see people of all ages walking, skating and bicycling. There is one section where you have to go out into a country road for about a mile. It’s my least favorite part of the trail, but I suppose the residents did not authorize their backyards to be used for the trail. There is ample parking at either end of the trail, as well as in strategic points along the way. The railroad is very active, providing an element of loud excitement for the whole family. At the Rittman end of the trail is a quaint little restaurant called The Depot, situated in a former train station. It’s a great place for a meal as part of your riding day. We absolutely love this trail.
Nothing spectacular, but just a nice trail for a quick ride after work. Easy access every few miles for those who live in south or west hills of PGH. Have not yet done the full 58 mile “out and back”’to WV, but will someday! I believe that the portion of trail in Wash. Co PA is paved. The portion in Allegheny Co PA is crushed stone, but very easy ride for adults and kids alike.
This is a very nice short trail. Fairly new, so still in good shape, hopefully be able to keep it like that. Slightly uphill from Rittman to Creston. Short lightly traveled road section in Sterling. A lot of options to take to the roads for a longer ride.
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