Find the top rated walking trails in State College, 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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Spurred by the success of New York’s revolutionary Erie Canal, Pennsylvania started constructing its own canal system in 1826 to link Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. But the Allegheny Mountains...
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...
Stretching 12.6 miles through south-central Pennsylvania, this rail-trail follows the route of the former Huntingdon and Broad Top Mountain Railroad, a standard--gauge railroad founded in 1852 to...
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...
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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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....
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 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...
Part of a larger system in Western Pennsylvania known as the Trans Allegheny Trails, the Ghost Town Trail was named for the long-abandoned towns strung along the tracks of the Ebensburg & Black Lick...
Currently, over 10 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...
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...
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....
Part of a larger system in Western Pennsylvania known as the Trans Allegheny Trails, the Ghost Town Trail was named for the long-abandoned towns strung along the tracks of the Ebensburg & Black Lick...
Currently, over 10 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...
Spurred by the success of New York’s revolutionary Erie Canal, Pennsylvania started constructing its own canal system in 1826 to link Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. But the Allegheny Mountains...
The Lower Trail ranks high on the list of many Central Pennsylvania residents when they’re searching for a remote path with a woodsy feel. The Lower (rhymes with flower, and named in memory of trail...
Stretching 12.6 miles through south-central Pennsylvania, this rail-trail follows the route of the former Huntingdon and Broad Top Mountain Railroad, a standard--gauge railroad founded in 1852 to...
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...
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 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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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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...
The Cumberland Valley Rail Trail rolls 13.7 miles through a bucolic valley that’s hemmed in by the Blue and South Mountains in south-central Pennsylvania. Running from Shippensburg to east of...
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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...
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 überscenic Pine Creek Gorge, commonly called the...
Stretching 12.6 miles through south-central Pennsylvania, this rail-trail follows the route of the former Huntingdon and Broad Top Mountain Railroad, a standard--gauge railroad founded in 1852 to...
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...
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...
Part of a larger system in Western Pennsylvania known as the Trans Allegheny Trails, the Ghost Town Trail was named for the long-abandoned towns strung along the tracks of the Ebensburg & Black Lick...
Currently, over 10 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...
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...
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...
Spurred by the success of New York’s revolutionary Erie Canal, Pennsylvania started constructing its own canal system in 1826 to link Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. But the Allegheny Mountains...
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...
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,...
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...
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 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....
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A renovated former railroad tunnel that features a separate entrance for bats is a highlight of the Penns Creek Path. The path is a relatively flat segment of the 328-mile Mid State Trail that runs...
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...
The Lower Trail ranks high on the list of many Central Pennsylvania residents when they’re searching for a remote path with a woodsy feel. The Lower (rhymes with flower, and named in memory of trail...
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 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...
I returned to do a short (7.25 miles) with my wife, as she walked with a friend because she recently sold her bike. The last time I biked on the Pine Creek Rail Trail it was mid-July of 2019 to celebrate my 55th birthday. It was very hot that day and I was tired, but I still biked my age in miles. This time it was the very beginning of May, the 1st and it was a beautiful mild temperature day to do a short ride. The scenery is amazing starting from the Tiadaghton Trail Head, but getting there is not for the faint of heart as there a small bumpy unpaved road that ends with a big downhill to the trail. I seriously wouldn’t recommend using that Trailhead if you don’t have an all wheel or four wheel drive vehicle!
My kids and I have visited this trail multiple times this past month. We love it. My advice would be to start at the north parking lot near Alexandria. The entire ride is gorgeous. If you have kids, the Lower Trail Creamery in Williamsburg at mile marker 11 serves as a great ‘ice cream’ motivator. Williamsburg is a great trail town. If you continue south, there is a final (convenient) parking lot at mile marker 16. The rest of the way north involves a bit of biking on a road to get to the underpass that connects to Canoe Creek State Park (after some more road riding).
Was a great run visiting from out of town, easy to find trail head. Main trail is wide and fine limestone. Fun little Spurs that allow you to run more single trek along old trails that are slowly over growing. Will definitely come here again next time I’m in the area.
This is one of my favorite rail trails! It is very well maintained with a pleasant surface. The scenery is amazing with a beautiful countryside and mountains in the distance. They have expanded the trail down into Shippensburg next to the university's campus which is nice. There is also a northern expansion past Newville with grand plans to eventually expand to Carlisle. There are many informative signs that explain the history of the railroad and the cultural history of the area. I highly recommend a ride on the CVRT.
This is one of my favorite rail trails! It is very well maintained with a pleasant surface. The scenery is amazing with a beautiful countryside and mountains in the distance. They have expanded the trail down into Shippensburg next to the university's campus which is nice. There is also a northern expansion past Newville with grand plans to eventually expand to Carlisle. There are many informative signs that explain the history of the railroad and the cultural history of the area. I highly recommend a ride on the CVRT.
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.
I see very few recent reviews of this lovely trail. The tunnel under Rt 22 is indeed open and allows road access to Canoe Creek SP. The signage to Flowing Springs Rd access and parking appears to be upgraded as well, as another user noted it may have been missing in the past. This under-utilized trail continues to be a year round favorite of this biker.
What a great section of the Ghost Trail. Wehrum has a large parking lot and is easily found. Only a little over 2 miles from Route 22. No one else was parked there, so there is plenty of room. Trail is very flat and very well maintained. Less than 48 hours since a big rain storm and the trail was dry! Good idea to wear bright colors (orange) since you'll see some hunters this time of year. This was our first cold weather (48 degrees) ride and we learned plenty. Next time gloves and a scarf. Can't wait to come back and explore another part of this trail.
The trail is really smooth and well-maintained. The bathrooms and water stops are in great shape. It’s a great place for an out and back on the bicycle or a pleasant walk for any segment.
Ride side-by-side the whole way. Good hard surface for mountain bikes, just a very few soft sandy spots along fields. Pretty flat (a degree or two) except for a few road crossings.
Can start downtown Shippensburg, or we usually start a mile East at the Shippensburg Township Park to avoid walker congestion. Wide path with no power lines, can ride side-by-side the whole way. Very scenic on the bike, when there are banks on the side they can be typically seen over if on a bike. Quite a bit of tree tunneling to pedal through. There is also quite a bit of unprotected trail, so would not recommend riding on hot summer day with sun directly overhead. Especially true past Newville.
Have done this trail a dozen times over 5 years, it is consistently good with light traffic once you get away from the University. Good old/Amish/Mennonite farm scenery with animals, there is a one mile section with views of the mountain range 10 miles away. Stunning. This is one of the prettier trails we've done in the last 10 year.
Facilities along way. A great old ice cream shop with a non-working soda fountain in Newville. Be sure to go inside, though they also have picnic tables outside.
Recommend early spring through late fall, avoid hot summer when the corn is tallest and the sun directly overhead. Benches and sufficient picnic tables along the way, though nearly all are in direct sun in summer.
It’s a fantastic trail, scenic by the River and we saw wildlife and it’s in superb condition.
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