Find the top rated bike trails in Oil City, whether you're looking for an easy short bike trail or a long bike trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a bike trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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After weeks and weeks of record breaking temperatures, finally a break and a cooler day to head to the Shenango Trail. Very well shaded but a bit buggy being along the river. Still a great day for a hike and to spend time in the woods. After June flooding, and now a draught almost, the water level very low and muddy.
We are camping at Lampe and can travel West or South on this trail along the Bayfront. Going WEST, the is currently a lot of construction, but when done should be a nice improvement. I like this western part as it travels along the bayfront and around Frontier park. Many good sights and watering holes. Sloppy Duck one of them. It also connects via a marked bike path to Presque Isle Drive to the beautiful 13 plus paved trail around the Peninsula.
Now, leaving the campground and heading south towards Behrend Campus is a different story. The first 2 or 3 miles is through the eastern part of the city. Traffic noise as you're right adjacent to the Bayfront highway. You will see a lot of decay from past industries. The trail itself is littered with trash and weed growth. Today, I was passed by two gas powered motorcycles, like dirt bikes going at a high rate of speed. There is little to no law enforcement. And no upkeep. I have encountered broken glass and drug paraphernalia in the past amongst the trash. About 3 miles out the trail leaves the jurisdiction of Erie and once into Millcreek becomes very nice and well maintained. Erie is a bike friendly town and does a great job with their bike trails other than this section going south from the bayfront to about 38th street. This section goes through an urban rundown area and is completely neglected.
The Ohio section of trail at this point is very rough, and not very scenic. The PA trailhead is well maintained, and more scenic.
While in the area, we rode the Foxburg to Parker section, we drove to nearby Emlenton and biked from there to Rockland (tunnel) and back. There is a missing link of trail between Foxburg and Emlenton that has been under development for a few years and they are getting closer but not as of yet. This entire trail section is 27.5 miles in length, flat and paved. Some rooty sections but to be expected with all the shade you will get in return. We did not ride the tunnels due to we forgot our lights. A nice day on the trail enjoying the shade and views of the Allegheny River. Trail services in Emlenton a pizza shop, ice cream shop, Dollar store and convenience store.
Foxburg to Parker detached section is paved and 2.5 miles in length. Parking at each end. This section is very well shaded, trail conditions: a few roots sprouting up in the asphalt. Trail services in Foxburg include places to eat. Trail services in Parker which is a commute by road across the bridge, there is a place to eat. Enjoy the shade!
Everything south of Simmons road is spectacular. North of Simmons rd however has very minimal maintenance and do not recommend.
Nice ride along the lake. But a few bumps on the trail. Needs small repairs
This trail is paved and encircles Lake Wilhelm within the Maurice K. Goddard State Park. Rolling Pennsylvania terrain and plentiful shade makes this trail great fun in the hot Summer months. Stay for the day at this park and enjoy boating and kayaking, fishing, picnic areas and a children's playground. The new Marina/Snack Shop is opened having been rebuilt 2024/2025.
Franklin to Brandon and back, always an enjoyable ride on this trail. Beautiful views of the Allegheny River. Water levels are down from last month when we had so much rain. Trail gates recently painted look great!
The Brady Tunnel opened Fall 2024 following renovation. Very dark inside (due to its doors) so you need a light. Trail closure at mile marker 55 at Mahoning Creek (since April 2025) You can detour by using nearby road, road bridge and grass path to reconnect to the trail. We parked at the Redbank trailhead on Redbank Road, just past St. Marys Redbank church. This is the intersection of Redbank Tr mile 0 and the Armstrong Tr approx mile 63. Trail surface is crushed limestone. Some of it very well packed down, some of it washed away leaving nothing but packed dirt, and some of the trail is double tracked. We didn't have any trouble on our hybrids. We went South to Mahoning and turned around and up to the Brady Tunnel passing the Redbank Coaling Tower. We went though the tunnel and continued approx 5 miles through the Sarah Furnace area. We also went towards East Brady passed the Phillipston turntable. Nearest trail services are in East Brady, otherwise you're on your own. Trail mostly shaded, follows the Allegheny River. Very peaceful., scenic and historic. See photos. Our next plan is to ride another segment of the trail.
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