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I rode from St Marys to emporium and back. Uphill 600 ft on the return to St Marys but it saved me 40 miles of driving. I thought I made a mistake parking at the West Creek Wetlands Learning Center and riding 0.5 miles on unimproved rail bed to the real trail head parking but turned out the shady place I parked was best. First half to Emporium was remote but the last half was near the road. There were several history markers along the trail near Emporium about early industries like Hercules (explosives for the Panama Canal and WWII) and Sylvania to vacuum tubes. A Caboose was at the end of the trail and open to explore.
My husband and I biked this trail the 4th week in July 2018. On Monday we biked from Ridgway to the Croyland trailhead at mile 8.5, near Laurel Run and back. (total approx 17 miles). On Wednesday we biked from Brockway to the Croyland trailhead and back, (approx 19 total miles). The trail seems to have a slight downhill slope from Ridgway to Croyland, and also from Brockway to Croyland. We supposed this is because the Clarion (in the northern portion) flows south, and the Little Toby (in the southern portion) flows north. It is not noticeable until you turn around and go back, which takes more effort and a lower gear.
There are many signs along the trail noting "ghost towns" and former logging and mining sites, but not many ruins can be seen. Walking across the swinging bridge was a fun break. The railroad trestle in the northern portion is impressive.
At approximately mile 10 there was a truck parked on the trail, and a worker with a small backhoe was digging out the ditch along the trail. We had to maneuver around these vehicles, which were taking up the whole width of the trail. The equipment was making deep ruts in the trail. Hopefully these will be flattened and leveled out when the maintenance is completed.
We saw a lot of deer, chipmunks, and a wild turkey. The first day we passed 4 other bikers and a couple joggers near Ridgway. The 2nd day we saw nobody except the maintenance worker. The trail had some vegetation growing in the middle in some sections, but it wasn't a problem. Overall we thought the northern half was in better condition than the southern half. Also, the northern half has frequent benches along the trail. The southern half has one bench that we noticed.
This was fun to ride but not the most exciting rail trail that we have ridden.
Trail is now completely paved ,13 miles from route 322 to Leeper. Great addition to existing trails in this area.
Parked in Brockway and rode trail for 13 miles toward Ridgeway. Trail is a mix of crush stone and dirt. Over grown in some places. Had to duck under limbs sometimes. About 5.8 miles on trail came to swinging bridge. Walked across it. The name is perfect. Hold on to wire or you will go into Toby Creek. At 10.2 mile you will come to Clarion River. I rode 3 more miles and all there was to see is the river, railroad tracks, bike trail(which was on the soft side, tough to pedal), and a major road. The first 10.2 miles is through woods which was very peaceful. My wife and I saw 9 other bikers, 1 deer, and each saw 1 snake. The trail needs some clearing of grass and limbs. There are places only one person can pedal on trail. Also the trail had vehicle ruts from mile 8.5 to mile 9. Also many historical signs on trail of what towns, saw mills, and train stations that use to exist. No remains of anything from these sites. Two old bridge signs do remain. Trail has potential to be better but needs some work.
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.
Walked this trail last weekend and found it refreshing and relaxing. Lots of nice wide paths and well maintained.
We parked on side of the trail in Van. We got on the trail along Route 322. You can see where the trail would go across the road in connect (through the woods) to the Sandy Creek trail.
There isn't a designated parking lot, just pull off of the trail. The trail is in PA State Game Lands #45. We went along the trail from Van towards Shippenville.
Trail is mostly flat except a slight grade uphill from Van towards Shippenville. Surface is mostly gravel with some dirt.
It is bikeable on a mountain bike but wouldn't advise on a street bike. A wheelchair would be challenging but is doable.
I started from the very south end of the trail off of Triangle Tech Road on 10/21/2017 and biked uphill from here to the end of the trail. The surface is comprised of small gravel; not crushed limestone. The trail passes thru rock cuts with a nice tree canopy for the 1st three miles with lots of glacier rocks nestled in the woods next to the trail. At mile #3, the trail opens up very briefly before entering back into seclusion. You will cross over Wolf Run several times via 3 bridges. There are 4 mileposts on the trail but they are not accurate; distance between mileposts is less than a mile. There are several picnic tables along the way nestled between the trail and the embankment of the cuts. Occasionally, one will get a glimpse of the BP&R Railroad tracks that parallel the trail on its west side. The only complaint that I have regarding this trail is the trail surface itself. Most Rail-Trails use a fine crushed limestone that is rolled making for a firm riding surface with minimal resistance. The surface of this trail however was comprised of small gravel which offered more resistance and frequent fishtailing. I found this trail absolutely gorgeous and it is well worth the trip to experience it.
This trail is only an hour and a half away from home and it was awesome. Weather was perfect
I rode almost all of this trail Thursday and Friday 10/19 10/20 The surface of the trail was excellent all packed small limestone except for one little spot at New Bethlehem where they took out a railroad bridge that you could easily bypass this by riding down route 28 a short 1/4 mile.
Thursday I started in New Bethlehem. There is a giant eagle there at the end of the trail in Brookville. Make sure you by something to eat and drink because there are few places with food along the trail rode new Bethlehem west to climax tunnel turn around to Brookville city back to New B total miles 51
Stayed at super 8 Brookville PA it was really quiet there is a buffet near the hotel yum
Friday I passed by the trail in Sligo the trail is not improved. Might need a ATB for this area I decided to drive all the way to Phillipston and found the extremely nice trailhead. maps and plenty of parking plus a large port a potty to change you clothes in. Passed by the coaling tower and followed redbank all the way to climax tunnel bypass. I was out of snacks so I decided to keep riding up the steep road and down the tunnel bypass toward New Bethlehem. Stopped at lifesaver gas station for a foot long sub cookies and large Gatorade. There were lots of leaves on the trail did not see much wildlife the trail is more remote than what I am used to. Returned to Phillipston miles 49 checked out the Armstrong trail also.
The Five Bridges Trail is rough, swampy and somewhat isolated- which is exactly what makes it so awesome. I drove 80 miles to ride this trail and it didn't disappoint. This is a perfect trail for anyone who has a bike capable of handling mildly rough terrain and enjoys being in nature. I felt like I was exploring and not just cruising a bike path. It goes through wooded areas and wetland. I'm hoping this trail stays the way it is and doesn't get smoothed and groomed making like most of the other rail trails. Variety is a good thing.If you have a mountain or a fat bike and want a scenic but easy ride you should give this trail a try.
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