Find the top rated birding trails in Steubenville, 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.
_150928_st.jpg)
Nothing spectacular, but just a nice trail for a quick ride after work. Easy access every few miles for those who live in south or west hills of PGH. Have not yet done the full 58 mile “out and back”’to WV, but will someday! I believe that the portion of trail in Wash. Co PA is paved. The portion in Allegheny Co PA is crushed stone, but very easy ride for adults and kids alike.
I agree with the differences that have been pointed out between the Pennsylvania and the Ohio side of the trail, but it is nice a great ride. Rumor has it that the town of Lowellville will have control of that section of the trail which may bring about needs improvements. Be sure to stop at Ross’ Market in Lowellville. It is a neat little working general store that makes you feel like you are walking back in time.
We started near Washington Pa and enjoyed the quality of the trail. Well maintained and clearly marked with adequate facilities along the way. The tunnels are a treat and an exciting ride through old Pennsylvania rail space!
I had never spent much time on the Mon in years past but was more than pleasantly surprised by the quality trail starting near downtown. We went all the way to McKeesport and next time I plan on going further to link up with the Montoya trail. Well maintained and ample facilities along the way with a number of great river and city views!
We came from the Pittsburgh area just to ride this trail. It was a joy and we loved the town of Leetonia, especially the Dairy Queen!
But seriously, it is a beautiful trail, most of it in a woodsy atmosphere, and definitely one we will come back to again.
We started at milepost 6 at the Cliff Mine parking area and went out and back to milestone 25 (national tunnel) on a warm day (88 Deg F). The ride was great with shade over 75% of this portion of the trail. The trail is well maintained and almost all was crushed limestone. We had road bikes and were fine with these.
Went through 2 tunnels (milepost 7 and 25) where it was cool and very moist (water flowing on walls and some dropping from the ceiling).
Nice historic signs along the way describing bridges and coal mining and processing that was previously in this area. Very well done.
It was obvious the trail is continually maintained and was in great shape. Regular water stops and trail maps every five miles and pocket maps available at the trail and online.
Many trees alongside the trail provided great shade but blocked the view.
Gradual grade up and down throughout. Only a few city blocks are on city street. All rest was off road.
Overall great ride. I recommend it.
I began at the Trailhead near Carnegie, PA and rode only to the West Virginia State line since I was doing an out and back making my mileage 47.25 instead of 58. I rode the day after some very heavy rain. The trail in Allegheny County is gravel and while wet, for the most part, the water was absorbed by the trail or ran off. There were a few places where you could see a bit of the trail washed out, but it was no problem with the 28 mm gravel tires I was riding. A tree had fallen and was blocking a portion of the trail in Allegheny County when I passed in the morning. Upon my return a few hours later, crews were working on the remains of the tree which had been removed from the trail surface.
God Bless Washington County where I grew up, the trail is paved from the Allegheny County line to the West Virginia Line. There were no puddles from the heavy rains and the pavement was just about pristine. Beautiful riding surface. Much to my surprise, this trail had some elevation changes if you care to call 879 feet of climbing over 47 miles an elevation change. I doubt any grade exceeded 1.5%, but there were both uphill and downhill sections going both directions.
The reviews of this trail were pretty negative. One complained about the pavement in Washington County and I have to conclude the author was off his meds. I thought it was wonderful. Others complained that it was not very scenic. While there were no tunnels or viaducts or vast expanses to view, it was just a rural ride that I felt was all beautiful all of the time. I saw many deer including a Mama and her fawn and an assortment of other critters.
On my return trip, I stopped in Burgettstown for a late breakfast of pancakes and eggs at the 1709 Main Street restaurant just off the trail. Typical small town diner, good food, courteous country people, and great prices. A couple ladies riding the trail also came in to eat while I was there.
I am sure I will ride the Panhandle Trail again when I am visiting Pops. I can find little to not like about the Panhandle Trail. I ding it one gear as there is no outstanding feature that is a must see, so it gets 9 Gears (on a 10 gear cassette).
I began at the Elm Grove Trailhead on the Wheeling Creek Trail and continued north on the Ohio River Trail until it was under water from the recent heavy rains. I should have been within just a couple miles of the northern most trailhead as I traveled out 17.5 miles. I did not ride the southern portion of the Ohio River Trail choosing to go back to the car when the Wheeling Creek Trail intersected.
The Hempfield Tunnel and Viaduct are amazing. The tunnel was obviously for a mainline as it is wide enough for two sets of railroad tracks. Obviously a train has not passed through the tunnel in many years as a huge branch has grown over the eastern entrance to the tunnel well above cyclists. The tunnel was built in 1904 and made to last as the interior and the facades are lined with brick. Unfortunately taggers have left their mark with graffiti but it could be worse.
The paved surface is in very good shape considering the winters that it suffers. There were some rough areas in the pavement, but very few and that beats gravel!. The trail is completely flat along the Ohio river and it goes from urban in Downtown Wheeling then back and forth between wilderness and industrial. No complaints over a lack of majestic scenery as the river is always nearby. The Pike Island Lock Complex is intriguing.
I rate it 9 gears (based on a 10 speed cassette)
Have split up the trail into several sections from Cleveland to Mass. Really enjoy it. Curious if section North of Mustill Store is open yet. Had been rerouted for sewer project, I think.
Good biking trail except that the areas of uncrushed limestone make for rough riding. Did not try the trail south of Rt. 800 due to previous reports that it is difficult riding.
We rode Amtrak from Pittsburgh to Cumberland on June 30th. Fortunately the train was very late, so we didn't get on the trail until 3:30 and were able to avoid some of the sun we likely would have had earlier in the day. The climb to the Continental Divide was long and slow, but beautiful. We stopped to take quite a few pictures and chilled for a bit in Frostburg (ice cream shop closed at 4 on a 90 degree Saturday?!?). Stayed at Morguen Toole Co. in Meyersdale and enjoyed a great meal there too. On July 1 we headed to Confluence in the AM. We borrowed a car to visit the Flight 93 Memorial and, once again, managed to avoid riding in the hottest part of the day. Once on our way again we headed to Connellsville and stayed at the Connellsville B&B, which was wonderful. On the 2nd we rode to West Newton for lunch, after an extended stop at Rachel Sager Mosaics in Whitsett. We had a stop at Over the Bars Bike Cafe in Pittsburgh before finishing up the trail just before a thunderstorm hit. We met some wonderful folks along the way and enjoyed a fantastic few days of riding at an enjoyable pace.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
