Find the top rated birding trails in Franklin Park, 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.
Nice community trail that links to a beautiful park for kids. Nice ride if you’re in the neighborhood.
I rode this trail on my way back from RAGBRAI to check off West Virginia and maintain my fitness. It was perfect for that purpose. I rode it on a road bike with 28 mm tires, and they performed well. We started our journey downtown at Heritage Point. There isn’t dedicated trail parking, but there’s free parallel parking on the street next to the trail. We headed north first. We crossed under the 1848 suspension bridge and navigated through areas between buildings and woods. Further down, there are stretches of a couple of miles next to a road. The road was not busy, and it was entirely safe. There were many expansion cracks but few heaves. There weren’t many road crossings. We turned around after 8 miles, where there’s a structure that I suppose is used for loading coal onto barges. The trail was nicely paved, but we rode back and then to the southern terminus. South of heritage point it seemed there were more heaves in the trail surface. They were outlined with white paint. Much of the south part was not very scenic. It was about 3 miles to the trail terminus.
I parked in Wellsburg and rode through town first. Very unkempt and Unmarked. Bumpy and just all around super unenjoyable. Headed back the other direction. While nicer, admittedly, it was still pretty unkept. 2/10 for being lackluster. At best.
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!
Did 16 from Oakdale to Burgettstown. Ate at Paradise on the Trail. Allegheny County had black topped a bunch, which is great. Fantastic trail!!
Nobody had mentioned on which end to start at, so we started in Lisbon and rode 10 miles and turned around a lot of incline this way then coming back, but both ways it was up and down. Very hot day didn’t help. Trail was shaded most parts but had lots of sun too, you have to ride on the road 1/2 mile but there’s no traffic it’s like a side street. Take water with u as no place at either end for that. Bathrooms are at each end and 1 in the middle if you need. There’s a trailhead 4 blocks from where we started with indoor plumbing if u prefer that. All in all a great workout today !
We parked at Colliers Station and traveled a few miles down to Weirton. Weirton is the low elevation on the trail. We biked to the Pennsylvania/West Virginia state line. There is a marker and picnic area. Continued uphill in PA and stopped in Burgettstown. The replica train station along the trail is a little restaurant with ice cream, cold drinks, sandwiches, etc. We biked up to Bulger PA which is the highest point on the trail. Trail is asphalt paved in very good condition. Most of the trail is not shaded and goes through open areas. There are occasional sections of the trail that are wooded and offer shade. Between Weirton and Bulger we passed a few well maintained parking lots. There are map signs at each trailhead. We plan on riding the rest of the trail another time.
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.
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.
Started at Eliza Furnace and went counterclockwise toward Ebensburg to where the C&I trail connects just out of town. Was a 32 mile ride- so beautiful
The surface is good compacted gravel but other than that, the trail is just not enjoyable. We saw what appeared to be two homeless tents set up along the railroad tracks which run beside the trail and the trail itself runs through areas that are just not nice. A portion of this trail is on a road but has a bike lane appropriately marked.
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