State College, PA Birding Trails and Maps

578 Reviews

Looking for the best Birding trails around State College?

Find the top rated birding trails in State College, 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.

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Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type
25 Results
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type

6 to 10 Trail System

7.5 mi
State: PA
Crushed Stone, Dirt

Bald Eagle Valley Trail

5.8 mi
State: PA
Boardwalk, Crushed Stone

Buffalo Valley Rail Trail

9.5 mi
State: PA
Asphalt, Gravel

Cumberland Valley Rail Trail

15.8 mi
State: PA
Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone

Ghost Town Trail

49.2 mi
State: PA
Crushed Stone

Huntingdon and Broad Top Rail Trail

12.6 mi
State: PA
Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel

Lower Trail

17 mi
State: PA
Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Lowlands Trail

4.5 mi
State: PA
Crushed Stone

Pine Creek Rail Trail

62.5 mi
State: PA
Crushed Stone

Bellefonte Central Rail Trail

1.3 mi
State: PA
Asphalt, Cinder, Crushed Stone

George B. Will Trail

5.6 mi
State: PA
Ballast, Grass

Houtzdale Line Trail

11.08 mi
State: PA
Gravel

Lock Haven Levee Trail

2.25 mi
State: PA
Asphalt

Penn State West Campus Bike Path

1.1 mi
State: PA
Asphalt

Penn's Creek Path (Mid State Trail)

2.7 mi
State: PA
Crushed Stone

Snow Shoe Rail Trail

18.4 mi
State: PA
Ballast, Gravel

Susquehannock Trail System

30 mi
State: PA
Dirt

Tudek/Circleville Bikeway

4.7 mi
State: PA
Asphalt

Beaver Dam Trail

2.3 mi
State: PA
Crushed Stone
Accordion

Bells Gap Rail Trail

6.3 mi
State: PA
Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass

Buffalo Flat Trail

0.5 mi
State: PA
Dirt

Iron Horse Trail (PA)

10 mi
State: PA
Ballast, Crushed Stone, Dirt

Old Tram Trail

3.2 mi
State: PA
Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass
Trail Image Trail Name States Length Surface Rating
Overview Today, the 7.5-mile route between inclines 6 and 10 has been converted into a rail trail featuring both hiking and biking sections, with historical culverts (drainage structures) visible...
PA 7.5 mi Crushed Stone, Dirt
Bald Eagle Valley Trail, formerly known as the Clinton County Rail Trail, offers a pleasant crushed-stone pathway along scenic Bald Eagle Creek and the West Branch Susquehanna River. As you pedal or...
PA 5.8 mi Boardwalk, Crushed Stone
Overview The Buffalo Valley Rail Trail, which runs between Lewisburg and Mifflinburg, is a 9.5-mile rail trail. About the Route The trail features interpretive signs related to the region's...
PA 9.5 mi Asphalt, Gravel
Overview The Cumberland Valley Rail Trail rolls 15.8 miles through a bucolic valley that’s hemmed in by the Blue and South Mountains in south-central Pennsylvania. Running from Shippensburg to east...
PA 15.8 mi Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone
The David S. Ammerman Trail rolls through Pennsylvania coal country for nearly 11 miles between Clearfield and Grampian, skirting the West Branch of the Susquehanna River and two of its tributaries....
PA 10.6 mi Crushed Stone
Overview Winding through the scenic Blacklick Creek watershed east of Pittsburgh, the 49.2-mile Ghost Town Trail is composed of the 32-mile main stem (running between Black Lick and Ebensburg) and...
PA 49.2 mi Crushed Stone
Overview Stretching 12.6 miles through south-central Pennsylvania, this rail-trail runs between Riddlesburg and Everett. About the Route Tracing a relatively flat path from the community of...
PA 12.6 mi Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel
Overview  The Lower Trail runs between Alexandria and Williamsburg, tracing the meandering Frankstown Branch of the Juniata River. The trail, with a mostly crushed-stone surface, is a remote and...
PA 17 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone
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...
PA 4.5 mi Crushed Stone
Overview The Pine Creek Rail Trail is one of Pennsylvania’s destination trails, and for good reason. The 62-mile well-maintained trail runs at the bottom of scenic Pine Creek Gorge, commonly called...
PA 62.5 mi Crushed Stone
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...
PA 1.3 mi Asphalt, Cinder, Crushed Stone
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...
PA 5.6 mi Ballast, Grass
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...
PA 11.08 mi Gravel
The Lock Haven Levee Trail, also known as the William Clinger Riverwalk or the Lock Haven River Walk, is a 2.5-mile paved pathway that runs along the levee separating the West Branch Susquehanna River...
PA 2.25 mi Asphalt
Also known as the "Blue and White Trails," this trail actually encompasses two shorter paths that intersect near Corl Street on the campus of Penn State University. Part of a developing off-road trail...
PA 1.1 mi Asphalt
A renovated former railroad tunnel that features a separate entrance for bats is a highlight of the Penn's Creek Path. The path is a relatively flat segment of the 328-mile Mid State Trail that runs...
PA 2.7 mi Crushed Stone
Overview 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...
PA 18.4 mi Ballast, Gravel
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...
PA 30 mi Dirt
Also known as the Circleville to Penn State Bike Path, the Tudek/Circleville Bikeway is a paved shared-use path with multiple segments in the Ferguson Township. The main section of the trail runs from...
PA 4.7 mi Asphalt
Located in one of Pennsylvanias most popular State Parks, the Beaver Dam Trail follows old railroad grades at Parker Dam State Park in Clearfield County. The trail runs past streams, beaver dams,...
PA 2.3 mi Crushed Stone
Accordion
The Bells Gap Rail-Trail is really two trails in one-a smooth 2.1-mile southern section with crushed limestone surface, and a rougher, more difficult northern section of 4.2 miles that is best-suited...
PA 6.3 mi Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass
PA 0.5 mi Dirt
The Iron Horse Trail follows two abandoned rail beds: the Path Valley Railroad and the Perry Lumber Company Railroad. Originally, the Path Valley Railroad was going to be an extension for the Newport...
PA 10 mi Ballast, Crushed Stone, Dirt
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...
PA 1.16 mi Crushed Stone, Grass
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...
PA 3.2 mi Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass

Recent Trail Reviews

Ghost Town Trail

Washout not so bad now

October, 2024 by jeannemoss

10/18/24 beautiful afternoon ride. First time on this trail with our e-bikes. Loved it! We started Wehrum (mile 16) and went to Nanty Glo (mile 24?) slight uphill grade, not difficult. Return ride is slight downhill, no pedal assist needed. The washout had cones around it, and there was clear area for us to pass by. Some other areas have dips, but the trail was dry, lots of leaves fallen, but never felt unsafe. Only 1 restroom in this stretch, very clean. Lots of benches along the way.

Pine Creek Rail Trail

October 2024 Fall Ride

October, 2024 by thekauz

Riding this trail in the fall when the leaf colors are at their best and early spring before the leaves come out are the best time to ride this trail. You get a great view of the hills and valleys as opposed to riding in green “tunnels”. That being said it’s a great trail to ride year round.

Pine Creek Rail Trail

Beautiful Ride

September, 2024 by marotta4446

Took our electric bikes on this path and it did not disappoint!! Path is well maintained and the scenery is just terrific. Highly recommend.

Accordion

Huntingdon and Broad Top Rail Trail

correction to the review below

September, 2024 by mustang67

That is Red Cut, not Red Rut. My husband says the best part of the trail is Red Cut. If you stand there long enough you can almost hear the trains coming. Make sure you read the plaque there.

Huntingdon and Broad Top Rail Trail

Beautiful Ride

September, 2024 by mustang67

Rode this trail today on our Giant Momentum E bikes. Started at beginning of trail in Everett, ended at Red Rut where the trail ends. 24 mile round trip. Trail was mostly fine gravel with grass in the middle. Some places gravel was slightly thick, but was not a problem for us at all. Goes through two towns towards the end section. Signs are easy to follow there. Follows along the Juanita river. However there is about a 2 mile or so section that is stone road. Would ride again if in the area.

Ghost Town Trail

Beware of washout!

September, 2024 by ksjackson

We started out at Dilltown and the washout starts at about Wehrum and continues off and on until you almost reach Belsano. From Nanty Glo to Ebensburg, the trail is good.

Pine Creek Rail Trail

A beautiful immersion in PA Wilds present and historical

August, 2024 by joshua brock

My wife and I love riding this trail whenever we can. Easy to get to, trail heads are very well done, restrooms (comfort stations) are spaced out quite well, beautiful scenery, trail in excellent condition.

On this most recent trip, a buddy and I wanted to get into bikepacking and I suggeste this trail to "cut our teeth". Had it planned all out, but at the last minute he had to back out. I decided I still wanted to do it so rode from Jersey Shore up to Hoffman Campground (which is stellar!), tent camped for the night, and came back the next day.

Wonderful experience all around...you will love this trail!

Ghost Town Trail

beware of washed out trail

August, 2024 by willikowal

About a mile above vintondale the trail is washed out could be a very dangerous situation. The washout goes beyond where it’s marked and I don’t know what the rest of the trail looks like, but we turned around and went back. It was too much for us. We’re on Rance and it’s not worth rolling them in all the deep, washout places, caution

Penn's Creek Path (Mid State Trail)

Off the beaten path, short trail

July, 2024 by llh13

We are older Gen X rail trail mountain bikers and we found this trail near where we were RV ing. It was relatively flat and about 5 miles round trip. The views along the creek were nice and the tunnel and bridge were neat. Our rating is due to the condition of the trail surface, which we found rocky, rough, and in need of maintenance in a few spots. We only encounter 2 other bikers and a few hikers. We believe with some improvements this would could hecome a more sought out destination.

Ghost Town Trail

awesome trail

July, 2024 by willikowal

We did only 10 miles today 10 miles up and 10 miles back, but I love this trail. They have rest stops every 3 miles which is great because you can use the bathroom. The trail was beautiful. We started from black lick. I can’t wait to ride the other side.

Lower Trail

Lifts my soul

June, 2024 by cfbaggett

I've lived in Boalsburg, PA for 10 of the last 13 years and have probably ridden the full 32 miles, there and back, of the Lower Trail nearly 100 times. It's because of this trail and the Pine Creek Rail Trail that I have fallen in love with rail trails and Pennsylvania. I won't repeat everything that has been said in other reviews, but I want to say a few things that have not been said and/or emphasized. These things are not necessarily unique to the Lower Trail by any means, but I promise you they can all be experienced on its path.

1) The Lower Trail is very remote, and this revives the soul! To get to any of the trailheads you are "forced" to drive through fertile farm fields, surrounded by majestic, ancient, and time-worn ridges. There's not a city in sight! It doesn't matter if you are coming from Altoona, State College, Huntingdon, or afar, you can't help but relax and let it all go on the drive there. Roll down the windows and enjoy Central Pennsylvania in all of its glory.

2) It's history, and this inspires! Native Americans forged this trail along the Juniata; the Main Line of the Pennsylvania Canal channeled its way through the ridgelines here; the Pennsylvania Railroad took a shortcut through the gorges to bypass Tyrone when traffic was heavy; Amelia Earhart spent her weekends in Williamsburg; there are hidden locks, loading docks, and long lost railroad bridges over the Juniata with only a few stacked stones of abutments left. Just think, Charles Dickens spent time on this trail as he was pulled upstream on a canal boat by a team of donkeys. He wrote fondly about this trail!

3) There's a river, and you can kayak it! It's called the Juniata! Leave your bike at Alfarata or Mount Etna Station, drive your kayaks to Williamsburg, kayak downstream along the Juniata back to your bike, and bike ride back to your car. You get the drift? You can spend a whole day biking and kayaking along this magnificent corridor. There's something incredible about paddling your boat under ancient railroad viaducts while navigating occasional rapids and waving to bikers on the trail as they ride by!

4) Human diversity abounds! Infants to retirees frequent this trail all year long. There are strollers, tricycles, gravel bikes, mountain bikes, street bikes, electric bikes, scooters, one-wheeled skateboards, recumbents, horses, and folks using their good old-fashion two feet. But, it's never too crowded, and everyone is so kind and courteous. The trail is wide enough to pass safely with a soft ding of a bell or a quick verbal cue of on your left. You can ride fast or slow, lazily or with determination. There is an in fact an 11 mile stretch with zero road crossings. Imagine the time trials one could ride! Or you can slow down and take it all in.

5) Natural diversity envelops you! Foliage and fauna, marmots and birds. My most memorable moment with nature occured while kayaking and a bald eagle on July 4th stayed with us for about a mile. Continually swooping past us, about 10 feet over our heads, gazing at us as he passed, perching in a tree just in front of us, and performing this dance over and over again.

My apologies if this review is a bit personal. The Lower Trail is truly a hidden gem. It's shaped me and my family - kept us sane and whole, and I give so much thanks to those who had the vision to make this trail a reality. There's nothing that gives me greater joy than when I ask my teenage daughter each spring if she'd like to go on a bike ride with me on the Lower Trail, and her eyes pop open and she enthusiastically says yes.

Lower Trail

June 2024

June, 2024 by jpcvt135

Rode this trail on a Tuesday morning in June, starting in Alexandria. The parking area is easy to find and has a bathroom. I encountered maybe 10 or 15 other people/groups in about 2 hours, mostly cycling with an occasional runner/walker. Lots of benches along the way with an occasional bathroom at other parking areas. The first 11 miles is all shaded with no road crossings, flat, and very peaceful once the trail veers away from the road after a mile or so. It is well maintained (didn’t see a single piece of trash), the surface is nice for cycling, and while the asphalt section had some bumps from tree roots, they were well marked. I turned around shortly after Williamsburg (about 12 miles) due to the heat, but will absolutely be back to do the entire trail. HIGHLY recommend.

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