Find the top rated running trails in Lock Haven, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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Nice drive up out of the Susquehanna Valley, easy to locate trailhead with good parking. Trail is level, (signs say bikes okay on rail grade only - today we are on foot). Trail is wooded, a couple of side loops for interpretive and conservation information. There were 6 or so inches of snow with a frozen crust that broke through every 6th step or so, but it was quite enjoyable, and this early March Saturday afternoon we had it all to ourselves. We will come back later this spring and see how it looks with leaves. I held back one star because I prefer more rugged trails, but today this was just the thing.
I biked this trail on 7/18/2020. I initially attempted to find this trail by entering the Sinnemahoning State Park at its south entrance. That was a mistake since this trail does NOT have a trailhead at is southern end unless you wish to bike the park road to get to the trail. Also, it is VERY easy to miss the trail entrance at its southern end. The best location to access this trail is from its northern end where there is a nice sized trailhead parking area. The Trailhead parking area is accessed by taking the 1st road off to the right AFTER passing the Park Entrance at its North End. The Trail is initially pretty flat with a very, very slight downhill grade from the Northern Trailhead and is on a crushed limestone surface; i.e. your typical Rail-Trail. However, at the 2 mile mark where the trail initially crosses over the Park road, the trail veers off the original railroad Right Of Way (ROW) and ascends significantly as it winds its way thru the forest laden with pine trees on a narrow path and then descends sharply back down to the park road. After crossing the park road, the trail gets back on to the Original Railroad ROW. But unlike the trail surface at its northern end, this section of the trail is covered with a rough grass surface for about 3/4 of a mile before the trail makes a very sharp U turn and ascends a VERY steep hill before terminating at the Park Road. Feel Free to reference the DCNR Map: http://elibrary.dcnr.pa.gov/GetDocument?docId=1737237&DocName=SINN_ParkMap.pdf. According to my bike odometer which is accurately calibrated, I had 4.56 miles from the Northern Trailhead to where the trail terminates on to the Park Road.
Though open to bicycles, this trail is very rough with it's washboard surface and large gravel. I even found it difficult to walk on.
We parked at the Gillentown trailhead (approx mile marker 49) and proceeded to bike towards the higher mile marker numbers. Though it was very pretty, the surface was rough. Some points we got off and walked our bikes and even walking was difficult. We only went out a few miles then turned around coming back to the parking area. We proceed to bike the other direction, lower mile marker numbers and towards the Clarence end of the trail which was packed limestone and much smoother though only 3 miles from Gillentown to Clarence.
We wanted to see the Peale Tunnel which was on the bumpy section of the trail and never made it that far. We also wanted to ride across the Viaduct which is farther out. Found out it's been closed since 2013 and no plans in the near future to open it. It's in very poor rotted condition and would take a lot of work to make it passable.
This trail is mainly for ATV's which you need a membership. It's also open to Equestrians and for walking/hiking.
Taking advantage of the fall colors, I started out in Emporium on my recumbent trike with street tires. I rode the gentle upgrade for about 12.5 miles, but had to turn around because the cartway surface has been damaged by heavy equipment tracks. I didn't see any bathroom facilities or water fountains, but there's a nice sheltered picnic table just West of where the trail crosses Route 120, about 8 miles. Very nice scenery of farms the meandering West Creek, but this would get more stars if they had at least a porta-toliet, and the better care of the cartway going West.
We rode the western section of the trail, most of the time there is constant noise from the nearby highway. The trail is well maintained but the stone surface is rough compared to many of the stone trails we have ridden. Much of the trail was in full sun, which on a cool day in October was okay. Also the rest room (portable toilet) at the train was closed and a sign read, "Closed for spring cleaning".
We started our ride by doing a loop around the South Williamsport Community Park then on to the Susquehanna River Walk trail to the Timber Trail, back onto the SRW and then on to the Susquehanna Bikeway. We also rode the Canfield Island Heritage Park trail, a very scenic little loop and a loop around a pond in Indian Park near the north end of the Bikeway. For the most part the trails are well maintained, but there is no escaping your proximity to the highways for most of the ride. Not a bad trail but I prefer more seclusion.
Good ride for a flat lander from OK with wiener dog in toe. Short but very pleasant!
We wanted to try a new trail and this was the closest trail with a distance worth driving for. The trail is in stellar shape, well maintained with paved sections at both ends...crushed gravel over the majority. As it’s coming in and out of two towns, lots of crossings, safely identified and set up...just know that. Beautiful Farmland here!! We started and ended in the Madisonburg end as we then went to Rusty Rail afterwards, which you can either walk to from that terminus or drive over to.
We also cannot locate any designated parking for the Houtzdale area. Plenty of parking in Smoke Run in lot. Trail west of Smoke Run is very bumpy and better done on a mountain bike. Also, east of Houtzdale is very rough and again with a mountain bike. We turned around at both of those locations. Right now there is plenty of debris on the trail because of brush being cut back. Very rough again. When debris is clear it will be a great run again.
About one quarter of the trail is paved, the rest is packed gravel. There is a great rest area about halfway and a small refreshment stand by a local farmer not far away. Can be crowded close to Lewisburg as it was today around lunch time. Many road and driveway crossings, so be careful. Plenty of parking at both ends of the trail. One of our favorite trails!
Not the typical Rails to Trails. Parking lot at the one end of the trail map was non existent. Trail was more like an unused driveway.
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