Find the top rated walking trails in Lock Haven, 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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In a pretty valley between the West Branch of the Susquehanna River and Bald Eagle Mountain, the Lycoming Creek Bikeway is a fitting hometown asset. Tourists are not flocking to it, but the local...
Located in beautiful Sinnemahoning State Park in Pennsylvania, the Lowlands Trail uses the former corridor of the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad. The trail and park are now part of the tour...
The Susquehanna Bikeway offers more just over 3 miles of pathway connecting the north-central Pennsylvania communities of Williamsport, Loyalsock Township, and Montoursville. On its west end, the...
Serene year-round, the Bellefonte Central Rail Trail (BCRT) in central Pennsylvania runs along 1.3 miles of the old Buffalo Run, Bellefonte and Bald Eagle Railroad corridor. The original 19-mile line...
Lykens Valley Rail Trail is nearly half-way complete with 9 miles of trail open out of 20 miles planned. Those 9 miles are available in three disconnected segments. In Millersburg, a 0.4-mile segment...
Currently, 9 miles of the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail are complete. The trail runs between Lewisburg and Mifflinburg, and interpretive signs relate the region's history. The trail is mostly paved at...
The old railroad line known as the Moshannon, or the Mills Branch, crossed the Moshannon Valley during the mid- to late 1800s. The line was the foundation of the region's late 19th- and early...
The Susquehanna River Walk follows the north and south shores of the river's West Branch, including two bridge crossings at Market Street and Maynard Street. The route, much of which was built on top...
The West Creek Recreational Trail begins in the northwestern Pennsylvania community of Emporium and heads 18 miles west to the City of St. Marys in Elk County. The crushed-stone pathway follows the...
The Susquehanna River Walk follows the north and south shores of the river's West Branch, including two bridge crossings at Market Street and Maynard Street. The route, much of which was built on top...
Currently, 9 miles of the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail are complete. The trail runs between Lewisburg and Mifflinburg, and interpretive signs relate the region's history. The trail is mostly paved at...
Located at 2,100 feet and next to the Loyalsock State Forest in northeast Pennsylvania, this trail in the small town of Eagles Mere has a rich history. In 1892 the Eagles Mere eight-mile narrow gauge...
The old railroad line known as the Moshannon, or the Mills Branch, crossed the Moshannon Valley during the mid- to late 1800s. The line was the foundation of the region's late 19th- and early...
Located in scenic Potter and Clinton Counties, the Susquehannock Hiking Trail is an 85-mile amalgamation of old Civilian Conservation Corps fire trails, logging roads and railroad grades through the...
Lumber mills frequently set up tram cars running on a set of tracks to carry cut timbers from the steep hillsides. The Old Tram Trail is exactly that and has become a short bit of single track to...
Coordinated by the Snow Shoe Rails to Trails Association (SSRTA), the Snow Shoe Trail caters primarily to ATV and off-road motorcycle enthusiasts. It is open to other users as well, but the rough...
Primarily a cross-country ski route, the 13.4-mile Sentiero DiShay Trail can also be enjoyed for hiking and mountain biking. The trail winds through a mixed forest of conifer and deciduous trees. The...
Located in beautiful Sinnemahoning State Park in Pennsylvania, the Lowlands Trail uses the former corridor of the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad. The trail and park are now part of the tour...
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Included in the seven-mile network of trails in Little Buffalo State Park are two small sections of rail-trail. Together they are called the Newport and Sherman's Valley Railroad Trace. The...
Lykens Valley Rail Trail is nearly half-way complete with 9 miles of trail open out of 20 miles planned. Those 9 miles are available in three disconnected segments. In Millersburg, a 0.4-mile segment...
One of the premier rail-trails in the Northeast, the Pine Creek Rail Trail in Pine Creek Gorge offers travelers a spectacular 62-mile journey through the area commonly referred to as the Grand Canyon...
J. Manley Robbins Trail is a short trail with a long history. Quite possibly it is the oldest documented rail-trail in the country. The trail leads through a beautiful deciduous forest high above the...
The Susquehanna Bikeway offers more just over 3 miles of pathway connecting the north-central Pennsylvania communities of Williamsport, Loyalsock Township, and Montoursville. On its west end, the...
In a pretty valley between the West Branch of the Susquehanna River and Bald Eagle Mountain, the Lycoming Creek Bikeway is a fitting hometown asset. Tourists are not flocking to it, but the local...
_144887_sc.jpg)
Though little-known compared to other popular rail-trails in Pennsylvania, the Penns Creek Path is worth the effort of visiting for a scenic bike ride or hike in the forest. Pretty in all seasons, it...
Serene year-round, the Bellefonte Central Rail Trail (BCRT) in central Pennsylvania runs along 1.3 miles of the old Buffalo Run, Bellefonte and Bald Eagle Railroad corridor. The original 19-mile line...
The George B. Will Trail in Tiadaghton State Forest is named for an early 20th-century Pennsylvania forest ranger. The trail is popular with cross-country skiers and travels through a mixed-pine...
The West Creek Recreational Trail begins in the northwestern Pennsylvania community of Emporium and heads 18 miles west to the City of St. Marys in Elk County. The crushed-stone pathway follows the...
The old railroad line known as the Moshannon, or the Mills Branch, crossed the Moshannon Valley during the mid- to late 1800s. The line was the foundation of the region's late 19th- and early...
Currently, 9 miles of the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail are complete. The trail runs between Lewisburg and Mifflinburg, and interpretive signs relate the region's history. The trail is mostly paved at...
Included in the seven-mile network of trails in Little Buffalo State Park are two small sections of rail-trail. Together they are called the Newport and Sherman's Valley Railroad Trace. The...
One of the premier rail-trails in the Northeast, the Pine Creek Rail Trail in Pine Creek Gorge offers travelers a spectacular 62-mile journey through the area commonly referred to as the Grand Canyon...
Lumber mills frequently set up tram cars running on a set of tracks to carry cut timbers from the steep hillsides. The Old Tram Trail is exactly that and has become a short bit of single track to...
The Susquehanna River Walk follows the north and south shores of the river's West Branch, including two bridge crossings at Market Street and Maynard Street. The route, much of which was built on top...
The West Creek Recreational Trail begins in the northwestern Pennsylvania community of Emporium and heads 18 miles west to the City of St. Marys in Elk County. The crushed-stone pathway follows the...
Coordinated by the Snow Shoe Rails to Trails Association (SSRTA), the Snow Shoe Trail caters primarily to ATV and off-road motorcycle enthusiasts. It is open to other users as well, but the rough...
In a pretty valley between the West Branch of the Susquehanna River and Bald Eagle Mountain, the Lycoming Creek Bikeway is a fitting hometown asset. Tourists are not flocking to it, but the local...
Primarily a cross-country ski route, the 13.4-mile Sentiero DiShay Trail can also be enjoyed for hiking and mountain biking. The trail winds through a mixed forest of conifer and deciduous trees. The...
Located in scenic Potter and Clinton Counties, the Susquehannock Hiking Trail is an 85-mile amalgamation of old Civilian Conservation Corps fire trails, logging roads and railroad grades through the...
J. Manley Robbins Trail is a short trail with a long history. Quite possibly it is the oldest documented rail-trail in the country. The trail leads through a beautiful deciduous forest high above the...
Though little-known compared to other popular rail-trails in Pennsylvania, the Penns Creek Path is worth the effort of visiting for a scenic bike ride or hike in the forest. Pretty in all seasons, it...
The George B. Will Trail in Tiadaghton State Forest is named for an early 20th-century Pennsylvania forest ranger. The trail is popular with cross-country skiers and travels through a mixed-pine...
Located in beautiful Sinnemahoning State Park in Pennsylvania, the Lowlands Trail uses the former corridor of the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad. The trail and park are now part of the tour...
The Susquehanna Bikeway offers more just over 3 miles of pathway connecting the north-central Pennsylvania communities of Williamsport, Loyalsock Township, and Montoursville. On its west end, the...
Located at 2,100 feet and next to the Loyalsock State Forest in northeast Pennsylvania, this trail in the small town of Eagles Mere has a rich history. In 1892 the Eagles Mere eight-mile narrow gauge...
Serene year-round, the Bellefonte Central Rail Trail (BCRT) in central Pennsylvania runs along 1.3 miles of the old Buffalo Run, Bellefonte and Bald Eagle Railroad corridor. The original 19-mile line...
Lykens Valley Rail Trail is nearly half-way complete with 9 miles of trail open out of 20 miles planned. Those 9 miles are available in three disconnected segments. In Millersburg, a 0.4-mile segment...
We rode this as an extension of the Susquehanna Riverwalk. It was paved and had a park with a restroom but no water fountain. For part of the ride, you are in a bike lane on the road but the road appears to be a dead end, so not much traffic. Once you get to Montoursville and the bridge, there is crossroads with no clear signage as to where the bike path should be. We took a right and biked to a boat launch behind the airport which was nice. I think we were supposed to cross the main road at the intersection where the bike path continued a little further - something for next time!
We started at trailhead in S Williamsport and crossed the river at Maynard St bridge. Had to walk bike across because of pedestrians crossing at the same time. We biked to the end of the trail and continued on the Susquehanna Bikeway into Montoursville, returning to S Williamsport.
The ride had a few areas with a challenging incline but overall a great trail and very scenic as you are next to the river the whole time. There are plenty of benches to sit on and educational signs to read and learn about the history of Williamsport. Did I mention it was paved?? Loved it! Also, it didn't seem very busy for a Sunday afternoon.
I took the opportunity to ride the Pine Creek rail/trail on a nearly perfect, sunny, 80 degree day on a mid July weekday. I set out for an 82 mile R/T from the Waterville parking access area heading north on the gentle but steady uphill climb through the Grand Canyon of PA back. I rode a gravel bike with 32mm tubeless tires which was the petfect choice for the unpaved trail. The surface was densely packed fine gravel the entire way without a single hole or rut. There is no public access to drinking water so plan accordingly. I started out with two 24 ounce bottles and topped them off at a general store along the route. Be advised that there is no water available in the 17 mile canyon stretch so top off at one of the general stores when you have the chance. Trail traffic was minimal during my Friday afternoon ride sometimes going 5-6 or more miles without seeing another soul heading the opposite direction. Also be advised that there was no cell service the entire 42 mile length one-way through the canyon that I rode out and back. Overall this was a very beautiful ride along the river that I'm very happy that I chose to spend half the day putting in an 82 mile ride. 👍
With 63 miles of compact gravel on a gentle uphill grade from Jersey Shore to the end near Ansonia, this is one of my top 3 favorite trails I've ridden on to-date. The first 35 mile, from Jersey Shore to Blackwell have about 4 or 5 villages with general stores that offer you a place to stop and grab cold drink or something to eat. They also have restroom stops along the trail in-between. After Blackwell, heading north, the 2nd half or the trail, there's no village stops until you reach the end near Ansonia and there's a limited number of restrooms available.
Book a room at any of the quaint motels in the area and wind your way through some of the best scenery the Grand Canyon of PA has to offer, especially in the fall.
Had a great day on the trail once we finally got there! You need to take Sand Mountain Road off of 322 not Decker Valley Road! There are no signs for the park on Decker Valley Road. Decker Valley is a narrow road barely wide enough for two cars - you need to pull to the side if someone is coming the other direction. There is also active logging and when a logging truck is coming down the road, you have to back up to try to find some place to get off the road. Wasted an hour traveling Decker Valley. Glad the trail was beautiful and peaceful to sooth our nerves after the Decker Valley road!
The Gillentown trailhead is on W Sycamore Rd not Bombarger Rd. We had to look around for the trail and found it at the Snow Shoe Rails to Trails Memorial. We were able to turn right from there and ride to Clarence and back, a distance of 7 miles round trip. If you turn left the trail is rough and stony. Very difficult by bike. We turned back a mile into it. And it is impossible to ride from one end of the trail to the other due to a bridge out. ATVs use this trail. I would not try it again.
As locals, we've explored all segments of this trail. One of our favorite rides was a two-day trip along the entire length. We started early at the norther terminus just outside Wellsboro. About twelve miles into the trip is Leonard Harrison State park. The Turkey Path trail there is a great 1.5 mile hike straight up the canyon for great views. We ended our first day at Cedar Run, the mid-way point on the trail. The Cedar Run Inn is a nice B&B, clean and comfortable. The 2nd day was a steady ride the remaining 31 miles with an early lunch at the Waterville Tavern, right on the trail. Beautiful ride. Take water/drinks and snacks in your panniers.
I’m local and I ride the trail a lot. So much so, that I wrote a guidebook about it so that others could know what I know about it.
Its a beautiful, pristine, 62 miles of sheer pleasure. The trail is kept in tip top shape by Pennsylvani’s Department of Natural Resources staff.
Come ride here. You will be impressed.
I recently moved to PA and wanted to ride this trail that I have heard so much about. I did a two day ride on May 1 and 2 riding from Jersey Shore to Wellsboro Junction on day 1 and back on day 2. I noted the Tale of Two Trails in the headline since the trail from Jersey Shore to Wellsboro is essentially 62 miles uphill with the grade rolling between 1 and 3 percent the entire way. The grade by itself wasn't that big a deal but on May 1 there was a 10-17 MPH wind in the face the entire way. At 71 years of age it was tiring. Having said that, the ride goes alongside Pine Creek for much of the route until one nears Wellsboro Junction. There are many beautiful homes, lake views, mountain views, fishermen views, old railroad and telegraph remnants to keep ones eyes and senses occupied. There are also Comfort Stations about every 5 miles for the first 30 miles and then they really thin out. There is also an old pump for water along the trail from the Jersey Shore trail head at one of the Comfort Stations but I don't remember how far along it is. There is also a 1" PVC pipe with water sticking out of the hillside along the way but since I didn't know what it was, I just passed it up.
I should note that the trail map shows a lot of towns along the route. Don't be fooled. They are clusters of a few homes with no outlets for water or food. The one exception is an ice cream shop about half way but I didn't stop so I don't know the days or hours of operation.
Once you arrive at the trail head at Wellsboro Junction you are close to a small ice cream/convenience store which came in handy to obtain a cold beverage. The trail does not go into Wellsboro but stops 5 miles out of town. So I had another 5 miles to ride on well traveled roads that are not marked to get you into town. The bigger issue was remembering the route out of town back to the Trail Head since there are a few turns along the way. Everyone in town told me that the rail is going to be extended into town eventually but no one seemed to know the exact time frame.
There is an old train station near the trail head where visitor excursions are run. I didn't learn any of the details but saw a GN diesel, Pullman passenger cars and other rolling stock at the station. You may want to check it out and go for a ride.
Wellsboro is a quaint town and I had dinner at Wellsboro House, a micro brewery. I don't drink but the people were great and so was the food. (I can recommend the house made peanut butter pie!)
The ride down the trail back to Jersey Shore on day 2 was much easier. There was a wind from the SW at 10-15 mph so on some of the zig zagging of the trail there was a very strong head wind at times but it wasn't all day as it was on day 1. I always find it interesting that I see different things based on the direction I go on the trail. Day 2 had some very interesting photo ops and vistas. I should also mention that the first 25 miles or so out of Wellsboro are reasonably isolated with few rest stations and no options to stop at a convenience store as you have leaving Jersey Shore, so be sure to have some food and plenty of your preferred beverage to get you through this section.
A great time and I highly recommend it.
Such incredible views and scenery that you and your bike might wander right off the trail if you're not careful (I came close to doing this at least 3 times). I spent 3 days riding this trail in October, logging 95 miles. The only part of the trail that I did not cover was the southernmost 8 miles. This was my first visit, and certainly won't be my last. Rural, peaceful, away from it all. Trail surface is excellent and well-maintained. It is very flat, and you can expect to pedal most of the time.
Rode the Lykens-Williamstown section of the trail.
Trail is in good condition but somewhat difficult to follow in town. Many turns and small signs made for challenging navigation initially. Once out of populated area trail was very easy to follow. Riding the trail makes me appreciate the little steam engine that could. Huffing and puffing up the long grade followed by the easy riding down hill back to town.
The Lykens Valley was a maze of railroads accessing the coalfields. This trail uses a small portion of the abandoned railroads grades in the valley.
I parked near the Lykens Town Office. Facilities like information board/map and restrooms are lacking. There was a restroom on the other side of park but locked/closed. Nothing else nearby. On Rt 209 there, is a Walmart, MacDonald's, Burger King west of Lykens. Public Library branch in Lykens right along trail.
The social media (Facebook and Lykens Valley Rail-Trail Association Website) for this trail hasn't been updated on a recently. There were numerous signs that were damaged by shooters taking target practice.
Future expansion is there a plan/schedule? Wish they would publicize if there is. Hopefully the existing sections will be connected soon. Tower City is just over the county line. The railroad over the mountain connected to Hegins.
I hope to revisit this trail in the future.
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