Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Pennsylvania, whether you're looking for an easy short cross country skiing trail or a long cross country skiing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a cross country skiing trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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| Trail Image | Trail Name | States | Length | Surface | Rating |
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This trail is not groomed. Three stacked loops offer a variety of hiking and skiing opportunities at a range of difficulty levels. The trail starts out on a railroad grade along Big Mill Creek. This...
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PA | 7.7 mi | Ballast, Dirt, Grass, Gravel |
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This trail is not groomed. The trail is a combination of logging roads, railroad grades and pipelines that offer challenges to a wide range of skill levels. Trail is marked with blue diamonds.
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PA | 9 mi | Ballast, Dirt, Grass, Gravel |
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This trail is not groomed. The three loops are suitable for beginners. The trail is marked with blue diamonds. Check out the short 1.2 mile Hearts Content Interpretive Trail which offers a scenic hike...
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PA | 8.3 mi | Dirt, Grass, Gravel |
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The route is primitive and unimproved. The trail crosses several streams that are not bridged. The trail follows the scenic Tionesta Creek with lots of great scenery and fishing.
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PA | 12 mi | Dirt, Grass |
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The Mill Creek Trail serves as a connector between Twin Lakes Recreation Area and the Brush Hollow Trail. Just south of Forest Road 138, the Mill Creek Trail leaves the Twin Lakes Trail and heads...
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PA | 5.6 mi | Dirt, Grass |
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This moderately difficult trail features great views of Minister Creek and passes by several outstanding rock outcropings, the latter about 1 mile from the trailhead parking lot. This heavily used...
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PA | 6.6 mi | Dirt, Grass |
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Located on the western side of the Allegheny National Forest, this trail extends north to south, parallel to the Allegheny River from the town of Tidioute to Grove Run. The trail retains much of the...
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PA | 4.5 mi | Ballast, Dirt, Grass |
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This trail passes through a variety of pleasing landscapes. The area near Crane Run is especially scenic. The trail is marked with white diamonds. The skill level of this trail is rated more...
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PA | 16.6 mi | Dirt, Grass |
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With a wide, paved pathway and adjacent equestrian trail running through lush woodland and riverside terrain, the Allegheny River Trail (ART) has something to offer every trail enthusiast. Following a...
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PA | 32 mi | Asphalt |
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Apollo's Kiski Riverfront Trail, built on the former M-Line Railroad bed, begins in downtown Apollo and follows the scenic Kiskiminetas River (called "Kiski" locally) to North Apollo. The nearly level...
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PA | 1.5 mi | Crushed Stone |
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In western Pennsylvania, the Armstrong Trail offers 30 miles of improved trail with several short on-road sections between Rosston and East Brady in Armstrong and Clarion Counties.
North of East...
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PA | 36 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass |
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The Back Mountain Trail, originally built by lumber and ice king Albert Lewis of Wyoming Valley 115 years ago, was acquired by the Lehigh Valley Railroad in 1887. Lumber, ice, leather goods and...
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PA | 5 mi | Crushed Stone |
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The Bayfront Connector Trail, also known as the Bayfront Bikeway, offers a paved route across the city of Erie in northwestern Pennsylvania. At its east end is the Penn State Behrend campus; from...
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PA | 8.9 mi | Asphalt |
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Swatara Creek runs through the vast woodlands of Swatara State Park in eastern Pennsylvania. Bear Hole Trail traces the eastern side of the waterway, while the Swatara Rail-Trail runs along the other...
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PA | 5.5 mi | Crushed Stone |
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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,...
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PA | 2.3 mi | Crushed Stone |
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The Bedford Heritage Trail provides a safe and picturesque connection between a topnotch resort and a nationally recognized downtown. From the Omni Bedford Springs Resort and Spa, the trail snakes...
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PA | 2.65 mi | Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone |
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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...
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PA | 1.3 mi | Asphalt, Cinder, Crushed Stone |
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The Bells Gap Rail-Trail is really two trails in one-a flat 2.1-mile southern section with smooth crushed limestone surface, and a rougher, more difficult northern section best-suited for mountain...
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PA | 6.3 mi | Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass |
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The Blaisdell-Emery Trail follows an abandoned railroad bed between South Bradford and the borough of Lewis Run. This scenic trail parallels Tunungant Creek (locally called Tuna Creek) for part of the...
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PA | 3.8 mi | Crushed Stone |
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The Bloomsburg Rail-Trail runs for a short distance along the former rail bed on the northwest side of town. Following the east bank of Fishing Creek, the trail stretches between Millville Road just...
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PA | 1.5 mi | Asphalt, Gravel |
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Since it opened as a railroad spur in the 1800s, this pretty trail has always been about connections. In 1834 the Philadelphia and Trenton Railroad launched the spur to carry goods from Bristol,...
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PA | 2.5 mi | Asphalt |
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PA | 0.5 mi | Dirt |
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As of autumn 2011, 9 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...
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PA | 9 mi | Asphalt, Gravel |
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Originally conceived by landscape architect Warren Manning (a disciple of Frederick Law Olmsted), the Capital Area Greenbelt is a 20-mile ring of parks and trails circling the Pennsylvania capital...
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PA | 20.9 mi | Asphalt, Cinder, Concrete, Crushed Stone |
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The Chambersburg Rail Trail is a 1.2 mile paved urban trail that connects neighborhoods just a few blocks west of the community's central business district. Starting at South Street, the trail...
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PA | 1.2 mi | Asphalt |
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As its name implies, hikers on the Chickies Rock Overlook Trail will be rewarded with a beautiful vista at the end of their excursion. The trail follows an old trolley line route that once took...
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PA | 0.5 mi | Dirt |
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The Clarion Highlands Trail is one of the highest rail-trails in the Commonwealth. It traverses the Allegheny Plateau, passing over the divide between the Clarion and Allegheny Rivers, and follows the...
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PA | 8.5 mi | Dirt, Gravel |
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This picturesque trail meanders along the Wild and Scenic Clarion River and Little Toby Creek through Elk and Jefferson counties between the charming small towns of Ridgway and Brockway. Tree cover...
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PA | 18 mi | Crushed Stone |
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The scenic Coal & Coke Trail connects the communities of Mount Pleasant and Scottdale in Westmoreland County and offers many glimpses of the picturesque nature and local communities of Westmoreland...
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PA | 6 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
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The Conewago Recreation Trail in northwestern Lancaster County parallels Conewago Creek over most of its length, as it passes through farmland and forests. A unit of the Lancaster County Department of...
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PA | 5.1 mi | Crushed Stone |
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Crossing the state line into New York near Erie, Pennsylvania, the 7.5-mile trail runs through the beautiful Brokenstraw Valley, passing small streams, a tamarack swamp, deciduous woods and...
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NY, PA | 5.1 mi | Crushed Stone |
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This gently winding trail in Pine Grove Furnace State Park passes along the shores of two lakes and through the woodlands of Michaux State Forest. Pine Grove Furnace began operating in 1764 to take...
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PA | 2.2 mi | Asphalt, Cinder, Crushed Stone |
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The Cumberland Valley Rail Trail runs down the middle of its namesake: the Cumberland Valley of Pennsylvania, between the South Mountain and Blue Mountain ridges on the eastern flank of the...
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PA | 10.9 mi | Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone, Grass |
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The Cynwyd Heritage Trail is a 2-mile linear park and rail-to-trail that connects Lower Merion Township to the Manayunk bridge over the Schuylkill River just outside Philadelphia. More than 30,000...
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PA | 2 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
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NOTE: This section of the Delaware and Lehigh (D & L) National Heritage Corridor is now open, but there is a short gap in the trail at Glen Summit pending private property access. Trail users are...
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PA | 9.2 mi | Crushed Stone |
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The Delaware Canal Towpath, which extends from Bristol to Easton, dates back to the historical canal-building era of the early and mid-1800s. Through its connection with the Lehigh Navigation Canal at...
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PA | 60 mi | Crushed Stone, Dirt |
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Josiah White, a famous entrepreneur and innovator, built the Lehigh Canal to transport anthracite coal the 46 miles from Mauch Chunk to Easton. There, the coal barges entered the Delaware Canal to...
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PA | 7.7 mi | Crushed Stone, Dirt |
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If you feel like a stroll down the lazy river, then this is the trail for you. This peaceful trail follows the canal and Lehigh River for almost its entire length. This trail offers a variety of path...
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PA | 13 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt |
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When coal was discovered in Summit Hill in the late 1700s, a rush of development ensued in the Lehigh Valley. Josiah White and the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company constructed a series of dams and...
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PA | 25.7 mi | Crushed Stone |
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This trail is a combination of canal towpath and rail-trail. On the east side of the Lehigh River, the trail follows the earthen canal towpath. On the west side of the river, the trail follows a...
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PA | 13.9 mi | Ballast, Cinder, Crushed Stone |
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The Delaware & Hudson (D&H) Gravity Railroad conducted a 3-mile test of the first steam locomotive in the U.S. in August 1829, which ran from the towns of Honesdale to Seeleyville, Pennsylvania, and...
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PA | 38 mi | Ballast, Cinder, Crushed Stone, Dirt |
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Once known as the Clearfield and Grampian Trail, in 2011, the name was changed to the David S. Ammerman Trail in memory of the man who championed turning the abandoned rail corridor into a...
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PA | 10.5 mi | Crushed Stone |
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The Pennsylvania Railroad originally built the Chautauqua Line as part of a network of rail lines that linked Corry, Titusville, Oil City, Franklin and Meadville during the boom days of the oil...
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PA | 3.1 mi | Asphalt |
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The local riding club enjoyed this former rail line, which was purchased in 1944 for a dollar from the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad, as a bridle trail for many years. It changed management...
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PA | 9.2 mi | Ballast, Dirt |
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The Enola Low-Grade Trail (formerly the Atglen-Susquehanna Trail) is open for nearly 29 miles in disconnected segments between the Susquehanna River and Atglen in southeastern Pennsylvania. It follows...
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PA | 27.6 mi | Crushed Stone |
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Along its 6-mile path, this paved rail-trail crosses through a rich array of natural habitats, from creek bottomlands to meadow, marsh and forest. The trail is named for Calvin Ernst, who owned the...
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PA | 6.1 mi | Asphalt |
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Trail users on this inviting corridor follow the path of an old Southern Pennsylvania Railroad line, in some places traveling alongside unused tracks (not to be confused with the newer Southwest...
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PA | 7.75 mi | Crushed Stone |
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The Forks Township Recreation Trail follows the an old right-of-way of the former Lehigh & New England Railroad. Starting at the trail's midpoint behind the Riverview Country Club in Easton, you'll...
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PA | 2 mi | Asphalt, Dirt |
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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...
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PA | 5.6 mi | Ballast, Grass |
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Despite its eerie name, there's nothing scary about the Ghost Town Trail. It is actually named for the numerous towns that were served by the Ebensburg & Blacklick Railroad, as well as the Cambria &...
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PA | 36.5 mi | Crushed Stone |
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Now the longest rail-trail east of the Mississippi River, the 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) spans two states in its course along great rivers and across mountain passes. Running from...
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MD, PA | 150 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
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Tracing a section of the abandoned Rural Valley Railroad corridor the Great Shamokin Path parallels the Cowanshannock Creek for 3.5 miles. The eastern part of the trail, which is surfaced primarily...
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PA | 3.5 mi | Dirt, Grass, Gravel |
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Like so many trails in this area, the Great Hazleton Rails to Trails occupies the former corridor of a railroad line that supported the local coal mining industry. After a half century of disuse, the...
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PA | 7 mi | Crushed Stone |
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About 60 miles south of Pittsburgh, the beautiful Greene River Trail parallels the Monongahela River as it winds through the coal mining region of Greene County. Conrail originally used the rail...
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PA | 5.2 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
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The Hanover Trolley Trail is being built along the 16-mile corridor of the York-Hanover Trolley Line that ran between the two cities in the early 1900s. Currently, about a quarter of that distance is...
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PA | 3.5 mi | Crushed Stone |
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Note: Per the York County website, "A section of the Heritage Rail Trail County Park will be closed starting March 21, 2016. The closure will begin at the Colonial Courthouse in York, south to...
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PA | 24.9 mi | Crushed Stone |
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Any trail with a name like "Hoodlebug" deserves a visit. The 10-mile trail follows the path of the 1856-era Indiana Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad, which ran from Blairsville north to the town of...
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PA | 10.5 mi | Gravel |
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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...
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PA | 10.5 mi | Gravel |
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Open since 1989, the creek-side Indian Creek Valley Trail traces the route of the Indian Creek Valley Railraod (ICVRR). Just north of Indian Head, you will come to a cluster of acid mine drainage...
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PA | 8 mi | Crushed Stone |
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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...
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PA | 10 mi | Ballast, Crushed Stone, Dirt |
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The Iroquois Trail is scenic and remote, stretching about 2 miles through Tunkhannock, a gateway community to the Endless Mountains in northeastern Pennsylvania. The rail-trail follows the route of...
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PA | 1.8 mi | Crushed Stone |
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J. Manley Robbins Trail is a short trail with a long history. Quite possibly it is the oldest documented rail-trail in the country. The trail leads through a beautiful deciduous forest high above the...
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PA | 2.8 mi | Gravel |
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The John C. Oliver Multi-Purpose Loop Trail is a centerpiece of Maurice K. Goddard State Park, which spans more than 2,000 acres in northwestern Pennsylvania. The paved, off-road trail traces the...
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PA | 12 mi | Asphalt |
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The 13-mile Karl Boyes Multi-purpose Trail loops through the picturesque Presque Isle State Park in the northwestern Pennsylvania community of Erie. The paved pathway begins at the park entrance and...
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PA | 13 mi | Asphalt |
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Kinzua Valley Trail is nestled alongside the wooded Kinzua Creek within the Allegheny National Forest of northwestern Pennsylvania. The trail begins in Westline at a trailhead with a large parking lot...
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PA | 3 mi | Crushed Stone |
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In 1979 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers saw value in this corridor near the Tioga River, which was part of the Erie Lackawanna Rail Line. It once passed through the village of Lambs Creek, which is...
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PA | 3.5 mi | Asphalt |
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The Lebanon Valley Rail-Trail takes you on a journey into Pennsylvania Dutch country. Running along the corridor of the old Cornwall-Lebanon Railroad, the 14.5-mile trail lets you experience the...
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PA | 14.5 mi | Crushed Stone |
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The beautiful Lehigh and New England trail is a short, crushed stone trail that follows a section of the former Lehigh and New England Railroad corridor. A lush tree canopy separates the trail from...
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PA | 2.7 mi | Crushed Stone, Dirt |
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Less than an hour from Pittsburgh, the Little Crabtree Creek travels for just over a mile in Unity Township, east of Greensburg. This first phase of the trail opened in July 2014; a future phase will...
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PA | 1.3 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
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Grab your bike or your walking shoes, or saddle up your horse, and head for the cool breezes and dappled shade of the 17-mile Lower Trail. The name "Lower," which rhymes with "flower," refers to...
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PA | 16.5 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
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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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PA | 6 mi | Crushed Stone |
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Tracing about two miles of riverfront today, this trail eventually will form a 16-mile pathway along an active railway. Chain link fencing separates the tracks from the trail.
In downtown Pittston,...
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PA | 1.8 mi | Cinder, Concrete, Gravel |
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In a pretty valley between the West Branch of the Susquehanna River and Bald Eagle Mountain, the Lycoming Creek Bikeway is a fitting hometown asset. Tourists are not flocking to it, but the local...
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PA | 5.5 mi | Asphalt |
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Lykens Valley Rail Trail is nearly half-way complete with 9 miles of trail open out of 20 miles planned. Those 9 miles are available in three disconnected segments. In Millersburg, a 0.4-mile segment...
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PA | 9.2 mi | Crushed Stone |
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The Mahoning Shadow Trail has a flat surface that is easy for biking, running and walking. There is little signage on the trail, but each trailhead and access point is well marked.
Begin at the...
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PA | 15 mi | Crushed Stone, Dirt |
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The Marilla Bridges Trail provides a 1-mile loop around Marilla Reservoir in Bradford, not far from the Pennsylvania/New York border. The fine-crushed limestone trail offers a scenic trek through the...
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PA | 1 mi | Crushed Stone |
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The Joseph M. McDade Recreational Trail is named after a former member of Congress from the area known for his dedication to public lands. The trail, located within the Delaware Water Gap National...
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PA | 32 mi | Crushed Stone |
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The Montour Trail follows a portion of the old Montour Railroad, which was built between 1877 and 1914 to link the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad with the region's many coal mines. Forming a...
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PA | 46 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
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Moraine State Park features a nearly seven mile bike trail, which follows the north shore of Lake Arthur. Along the way, you'll enjoy beautiful scenery, especially during the fall as trees line the...
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PA | 6.8 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
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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...
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PA | 1.16 mi | Crushed Stone, Grass |
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For 77 years, the tiny Northampton & Bath Railroad traveled the 7 miles between the two Pennsylvania towns that gave the line its name. Then, like its larger cousins, the Northampton & Bath Railroad...
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PA | 5.1 mi | Crushed Stone |
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The North Link Trail is a 9 mile section of rail-trail which is just one part of an 85-mile loop that winds through the forested hills and valleys of this state forest. Known as the Susquehannock...
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PA | 9.3 mi | Dirt |
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Northwest Lancaster County River Trail stretches nearly 13 miles along the east bank of the Susquehanna River between Falmouth (near the Dauphin County line) and Columbia.
Along the way, you can...
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PA | 14.12 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
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There are two trails named the O&W: one in New York and this one in Pennsylvania. Although the trail stretches 32 miles (as shown on the map), only the first 8 miles of trail (from Simpson to...
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PA | 8 mi | Dirt, Gravel |
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The Oil City Trail connects the Samuel Justus Recreation Trail and the McClintock Trail through the center of Oil City, Pennsylvania.  The 3-mile walking and biking pathway runs along the Allegheny...
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PA | 3 mi | Asphalt, Boardwalk, Concrete |
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The Titusville and Petroleum Center Railroad had one major purpose when it was built in 1863: to transport oil. Oil was discovered in Oil Creek Valley in 1859 by Colonel Edward Drake and William...
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PA | 9.7 mi | Asphalt |
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Forbes State Forest and the adjacent state parks (Linn Run, Laurel Mountain, and Laurel Ridge) maintain the PWS Trail System, a network of snowmobile trails and forest service roads though the...
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PA | 36 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
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The Palmer Township Recreation Trail (a.k.a. the Towpath Bike Trail) is a terrific community asset for Palmer and Bethlehem township residents and a great destination for visitors as well. Three modes...
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PA | 7.8 mi | Asphalt |
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The Panhandle Trail is another jewel in the Pittsburgh metro area trail system. A Conrail line, known as the Panhandle Railroad, once connected Pittsburgh to Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis on this...
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PA, WV | 29 mi | Crushed Stone |
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Though it memorializes a sad occasion, the Path of the Flood Trail is a beautiful, tranquil trail. In the Johnstown Flood of 1889, the South Fork Dam failed and more than 2,200 townspeople lost their...
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PA | 4 mi | Asphalt, Ballast |
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Though little-known compared to other popular rail-trails in Pennsylvania, the Penns Creek Path is worth the effort of visiting for a scenic bike ride or hike in the forest. Pretty in all seasons, it...
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PA | 3.6 mi | Ballast, Crushed Stone |
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The Pennypack Trail begins in Huntingdon Valley in Montgomery County and continues south through wooded Lorimer Park and on into Philadelphia County. A portion follows the former Fox Chase-Newton...
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PA | 14.4 mi | Asphalt, Dirt |
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The history of Perkiomen Trail railroad corridor extends more than 140 years. Founded shortly after the Civil War, the Perkiomen Railway Company started running from Oaks to Pennsburg in 1868. New...
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PA | 19.5 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
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One of the premier rail-trails in the Northeast, the Pine Creek Rail Trail in Pine Creek Gorge offers travelers a spectacular 62-mile journey through the area commonly referred to as the Grand Canyon...
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PA | 62 mi | Crushed Stone |
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From 1880 until well into the 20th century, Bangor and Portland Railway steam locomotives plied this corridor and others in the region, providing essential transportation services for the nearby...
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PA | 6.7 mi | Crushed Stone, Dirt |
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The Powerline Trail in Horsham Township connects schools, parks, business centers and neighborhoods along an easement managed by PECO/Exelon. Parts of the trail have road crossings, so use caution....
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PA | 4.8 mi | Asphalt |
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Located on the abandoned Erie and Pittsburgh branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad, this short but intriguing trail runs through Pymatuning State Park, a large and popular two-state recreation area...
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PA | 2.9 mi | Ballast |
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This 2.4-mile paved trail provides a quiet, scenic escape northwest of Philadelphia, from Encke Park at Radnor-Chester Road to the shopping center at Sugartown Road and Route 30. The trail travels...
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PA | 2.41 mi | Asphalt |
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Rail 66 Country Trail is a rustic trail paralleling Route 66, Â that begins in Paint Township near the Clarion Junction (SR 322/SR 66) and extends north to the Clarion/Forest County line. The trail is...
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PA | 4.3 mi | Asphalt, Cinder, Gravel |
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North of Mansfield lies the Railroad Grade Trail, know to locals as Ives Run. The 2.5-mile trail begins on the north end at the Ives Run Recreation area, near the boat launch parking lot. Travelers on...
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PA | 2.6 mi | Ballast, Cinder |
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Redbank Valley Rail Trail follows the old Allegheny Valley Railroad, which dates back to 1873. Mile 0 for the trail is at its west end, where the trail meets the Allegheny River and the Armstrong...
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PA | 57.58 mi | Ballast, Crushed Stone |
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Located in Media Borough in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, Ridley Creek State Park encompasses over 2,600 acres of woodlands and meadows. The park is only 16 miles from Center City, Philadelphia, but...
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PA | 4.8 mi | Asphalt |
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The out-and-back Roaring Run is the third incarnation of this pathway. First to occupy the waterfront site was the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal towpath, which operated between 1825 and 1850. The...
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PA | 5 mi | Crushed Stone |
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Connecting Oil City and Franklin, the Samuel Justus Trail is a 6-mile segment of a 30-mile trail that follows the former Allegheny Valley Railroad. The A.V. was completed to Oil City in 1868 and...
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PA | 6 mi | Asphalt |
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The Sandy Creek Trail carves its way through some of the most remote and spectacular countryside in northwestern Pennsylvania. This 12-mile paved trail has some impressive features, including tunnels...
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PA | 12 mi | Asphalt |
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Saucon Rail Trail connects four communities: Hellertown, Lower Saucon Township, Upper Saucon Township, and Coopersburg. The trail has a slight 1% grade traveling from north to south and is easy for a...
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PA | 6.9 mi | Crushed Stone |
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The John Bartram Trail (a.k.a. Bartram Trail) is simply one section of the very involved Schuylkill River Trail, which is being developed in sections as funds and capacity permit. Currently 9.6 miles...
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PA | 9.6 mi | Gravel |
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The Thun Trail (pronounced "tune") is part of the Schuylkill River Trail System. Large railroad bridges, built in 1918, provide impressive views of the Schuylkill River and the surrounding hills....
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PA | 18.3 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
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The Valley Forge to Philadelphia segment of the Schuylkill River Trail stretches 27 miles along the historic Schuylkill River, from downtown Philadelphia at the Philadelphia Museum of Art out to...
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PA | 27 mi | Asphalt |
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The Schuylkill Valley Heritage Trail passes through the rolling green hills of the Schuylkill River Valley, from just outside of Tamaqua to Middleport. The trail runs immediately adjacent to US...
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PA | 7.3 mi | Dirt, Gravel |
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Primarily a cross-country ski route, the 13.4-mile Sentiero DiShay Trail can also be enjoyed for hiking and mountain biking. The trail winds through a mixed forest of conifer and deciduous trees. The...
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PA | 13.4 mi | Dirt |
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The Shawmut Trail begins in the southwest corner of the small, charming community of Smethport and continues southwest out of town along Marvin Creek. Along the way, views are a mix of woodlands,...
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PA | 0.6 mi | Crushed Stone |
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The Sheepskin Trail is a lovely rural trail located in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. The trail currently connects the town of Dunbar with the popular Great Allegheny Passage, just south of...
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PA | 2.1 mi | Crushed Stone |
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The Shenango River Trail once served as a towpath along the Erie Canal Extension. During the mid-1800s, mules pulled boats along the canal, linking goods from the Great Lakes to Pittsburgh and beyond....
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PA | 7 mi | Dirt |
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Following the corridor of a mountain-crossing railroad that operated 1834-1854, this trail has two segments approximately 15 miles apart. The southern, crushed stone segment, about 2.3 miles long,...
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PA | 9 mi | Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass |
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The South Bethlehem Greenway is a linear park that follows a former Norfolk Southern rail line through the southern neighborhoods of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The trail parallels Daly Avenue/State...
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PA | 1.7 mi | Asphalt |
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Constructed in 1983 with the help of donations from the Stavich Family and local individuals, the Stavich Trail is unusual in several ways. First, unlike most rail-trails, it was built on an...
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OH, PA | 9.9 mi | Asphalt |
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Originally named St. Anthony's Wilderness by Moravian missionaries who arrived in the colony in 1742 to convert Native tribes, the Stony Creek Valley became the site of five bustling towns after...
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PA | 21.5 mi | Dirt, Gravel |
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The Chester County Parks & Recreation Department opened this trail in 1979 on part of a former Pennsylvania Railroad right-of-way. Today the 2.6-mile trail attracts more than 125,000 visitors each...
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PA | 2.6 mi | Asphalt |
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The discovery of anthracite coal in the Tremont area of Pennsylvania shaped commerce and development well into the 1800s. The Union Canal was constructed in the 1820s to connect the Schuylkill and...
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PA | 10 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel |
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Tatamy Trail begins in West Easton and heads north to Tatamy Borough, primarily along a former railroad corridor. On its southern end, it meets the Palmer Township Recreation Trail, which connects the...
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PA | 6.6 mi | Asphalt |
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The Three Rivers Heritage Trail evolved from five separate trails and today comprises several unique sections. Most of these segments are riverfront trails along both banks of the three rivers that...
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PA | 24 mi | Asphalt, Concrete |
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The first section of the Trolley Trail, built along a former Northern Electric Railway right-of-way in northeastern Pennsylvania, will officially open October 10, 2014. This 3-mile segment runs...
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PA | 2.8 mi | Boardwalk, Gravel |
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Tyler State Park, located in Newtown, Pennsylvania, covers over 1,700 acres on the grounds of an old farm in a charming woodland setting. The park features a network of interconnected trails,...
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PA | 10.8 mi | Asphalt, Gravel |
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The Vestal Trail is 0.5-mile connection through town of McCandless that joins the Oakridge neighborhood to the playing fields at its eastern end. The trail is maintained by volunteers of the Rachel...
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PA | 0.5 mi | Grass, Gravel |
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Located along the banks of Conewango Creek, the open 3-mile segment of this proposed 11-mile trail follows an old New York Central branch north from the city of Warren. Designed to serve primarily as...
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PA | 3 mi | Asphalt |
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Still in project phase, but 2 miles are completed as part of the master plan. The first phase and trail head is in a park called "Lower Nike park". It was once one of the 13 Nike Atlas class missile...
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PA | 2 mi | Asphalt, Dirt |
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A joint project of Warwick Township and Lititz borough, the Warwick Township. Linear Park extends from Market Street north, following the Santo Domingo Creek, to Newport Road. Although the asphalt...
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PA | 1.2 mi | Asphalt, Crushed Stone |
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The West Creek Recreational Trail begins in the northern Pennsylvania community of Emporium and heads 6.4 miles west. Future plans call for it to stretch farther west into Elk County and the city of...
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PA | 6.4 mi | Crushed Stone |
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The Westmoreland Heritage Trail is an excellent example of a family-friendly multi-use rail-trail. This crushed-limestone trail features reclaimed railroad bridges over the Conemaugh River and...
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PA | 8.7 mi | Crushed Stone |
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Wissahickon Valley Park Trail (Forbidden Drive) follows the creek of the same name through the entire length of the park. The ominous sounding Forbidden Drive was so named because in the 1920s cars...
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PA | 7 mi | Asphalt, Gravel |
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Love peace valley! Gorgeous views! It doesn't tend to get crowded & no shade across the bridge but the view totally makes up for it! Great for families & children
Trail runs along the Allegheny River, along the bottom of the mountains. We parked at the Trailhead in Westline and biked to Route 321 at Little Meade Run. Trail did continue to Red Bridge, another mile and a half away. Total trail that is completed is 6.3 miles as of July, 2017. In Westline there is the Westline Inn which offers lodging and food. Check with their website on hours.
Trail goes through wooded and open areas. Seems kind of on the remote side. There is no cell phone service. Trail surface is a little rough but we knew this ahead of time. Not a bad trail surface. Some areas were washed out due to storms but very much passable. We didn't have any trouble getting through the trail. Saw a few people.
At the Trailhead in Westline there is parking for about 20 cars and a picnic area. At the 321 area of the trail there is parking for about 10 cars.
All in all, a great little trail if you want to experience the Allegheny National Forest.
Trail is about a half hour away (by vehicle) from Kinzua Dam if you want to check it out while in the area.
I rode the Swatara Rail Trail on the afternoon of Sunday, July 23rd. It was a bit overcast but still hot and muggy, 80 degrees. I started at the Trout Run trailhead and rode one of the connector trails to the mountain bike complex. There are several options within Swatara State Park for mountain bikers, I prefer the four established trails which can be accessed from the rail trail at Green Point Station. After riding trail A I returned to the rail trail and rode south to the Lickdale trailhead. Upon exiting the state park the trail surface is regular gravel and this makes for a bit more difficult ride. I noticed several groups of people walking this section but no fellow bike riders. At the roundabout loop near the Lickdale terminus there are many raspberry bushes, good for an afternoon stop in July. I continued back the way I came running parallel to the Swatara Creek on the right and route 72 on the left. Upon reentering the state park I stopped at the waterville bridge and checked the map. then I continued on the trail through the state park to the east. This is mainly wooded area running along Swatara Creek. Along the way there are several other paved trails for cycling and you may choose to meander at will. I do not recommend riding the Swatara Rail Trail east past the Swopes Valley Trailhead. I was disappointed to find that the trail is maintained differently past this point. There is a marshy area near Wagner's pond with a sign stating "wet trail". This did not deter me from finishing the route but maybe it should have. The trail passes along the edge of the state park with a line of farm communities to the left. There were several deficiencies in the trail surface at this point, which is mainly packed silt from a nearby marsh area and large pools of shallow water which I had to roll through. The last mile of the trail in this direction is mowed grass, almost like passing through someone's back yard. The trail terminus is marked by a Hampton Inn and a busy highway interchange. Overall the Swatara Rail Trail is pretty nice. The central section is on an abandoned paved road and you can cruise a little faster. People also hike and walk their dogs here. Definitely worth the ride from the Waterville bridge to the Swopes Valley Trailhead.
We love this trail and have completed every mile at least twice. The trail is crushed stone and maintained with excellence and very minimal grade change. Last summer, 2016 my husband and I rode each part approx 12-17 miles in one direction and then back to our parking spot making many nice 25-35 mile rides . There are many trail parking areas along the way. Jersey Shore PA trailhead is a great starting point, Waterville and Blackrock are also good parking areas. The views all along the way on the Pine Creek are simply beautiful. The trail follows right next to the Pine Creek crossing nice bridges back and forth over the creek. We have seen amazing wildlife! Big birds, rabbits, chipmunks, deer, ducks, snakes and one bear. Never too windy and mostly shaded all the way. We have encountered horseflies south of the Grand Canyon of PA but only where the trail allows horses on a separate shared trail. Again, the maintenance crew clears debris and smooths the trail regularly. This is our Favorite trail even over the Katy and GAP.
I rode the Conewago trail this Past Sunday, July 23rd. It happens that I had just bought a new bike at Rails to Trails Bicycle Shop http://www.railstotrail.com/ located at the trail junction with Old Hershey Road. First I proceeded north to the Lancaster/Lebanon County line passing by a series of farms. There are several local road crossings and alternate trail heads along the route. At the county line the trail continues, becoming the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail which extends another 15 miles northeast. It is reasonable to pair the two for a longer ride and I have done so on several occasions. This time however I turned around and proceeded at a comfortable 7-8 mph pace back past the rails to trails bike shop and then south for another few miles through similar farmland and wooded areas. There is a stream to the one side for a half mile or so and it is nice for pictures. The stream is down about 20 feet and there is no guard rail, you just have to be careful. The trail ends in a county recreation area and there are a few picnic tables if you'd like to take a rest. I recommend this trail because there are both healthy wooded sections and also wide open vistas; farmers fields and also meadows for animal grazing. The local populace is very friendly as well!
My husband and I found this trail through a runner-friend at the Viking 10K on Saturday in Mannheim. We had brought our bikes and planned to ride afterwards. We found that many of the parks use mountain bikes - we had our road bikes. Anyway, we found this trail and absolutely loved it! It is beautiful to view the corn fields, river and encounter so many people out having a great time We are so grateful to God for His beauty and showcase of nature. You will NOT regret the trip!
We rode to Clearfield from Grampian. Enjoyed the 12 mph coast for about 3 1/2 miles leaving Grampion. The return up hill was about 5 mph. Emjoyef the river and creek an run views. Trail is hard packed cinder. No problem with comfort style bikes
Trail is a bit over grown with weeds un spots. Had to ride in wheel ruts. Dense woods. Not much to see. Saw several deer. Bring bug spray. Nrockway has several pizza places and grills. Same in Ridgeway. Not many prople on trail.
This trail is one of my favorites. We have ridden from the Carnegie trail head to just across the WV state line and back several times. There is a small section of the trail that is loose gravel, but otherwise it is largely paved and a well-maintained trail. Depending on how far you're going, it does get a bit remote, so bring plenty of water and some snacks. Also, you will spend some time out of tree cover, so sunscreen is also a good idea.
We started on the little section of trail in Parker, thinking it would be easy to hop over from Foxburg to Emlenton on the roads - I would not recommend doing this. The short little Parker trail was idyllic, but the few miles from that trail's end to the next trail head in Emlenton was harrowing (riding on a main road - 268 I believe?- with heavy truck traffic was one of very few options). However, the rest of the ride to Oil City was quite enjoyable even though it rained through most of Day 1. As others have noted, there is a section of trail blocked by a landowner, and the detour around it is tricky (kids and inexperienced riders might have some trouble on the rockier sections, especially if it is wet as it was during our ride). The tunnels were fun, and we were glad to have our headlights along for them as they are quite dark. We stayed over night in an eclectic AirBNB in Oil City (look for "Deep River Guest House" on AirBNB) that met all of our bicycling needs (easy access from the trail, porch to lock up the bikes on, a quick walk or ride to restaurants, etc.), then journeyed back to Parker the next day. On the way back, we tried a different route from Emlenton to Foxburg, which was a different kind of challenge (a "roller coaster" township road with lots of loose, chunky gravel), which I would also not recommend doing. However, we rewarded ourselves with some samples at the Foxburg winery and made it the rest of the way. Looking forward to doing the Emelenton-->Oil City (or perhaps farther) trip again!
We started at the Clairton end of the trail, and I don't care to do it again. We biked about 7 miles out and turned around - only a small portion was on an actual trail, the rest was on back roads as well as a brief section on a fairly high-traffic road. Hoping to start at the other end next time and have a better experience.
This was our first long bike adventure ever. I've been retired several years and my wife retired last summer '16 from teaching. She had been a complete academic and never was interested in sports except when our kids were involved. Now, she loves exercising and gym workouts. We've done single day bike excursions, but nothing like this. We started in Homewood (Pittsburgh area) and rode far (52 miles) for rookies on the first day, to Connellsville. Unbelievably beautiful natural environment surrounded us every stroke of the pedal. First night we stayed at the Connellsville B&B and were very impressed with immaculate cleanliness, delicious breakfast, and pleasant owner, Lucille. After our 52-mile day, I was worried about my wife's physical well being, but by the next morning she felt much better and we were glad we had planned a much shorter ride (28 miles) Day 2 to Confluence. There, we stayed overnight at Parker House, also a pleasant stay, though no breakfast is included. We purchased simple breakfast food items at the local grocery store. The third day was our longest ride (62 miles), planned knowing the last 24 miles into Cumberland are downhill. Our daughter, husband, and granddaughters were waiting at Mile Zero with flowers and cheers. Just a beautiful, enjoyable, and educational trip. And you meet the kind, helpful, friendly people on the trail that help make this world a better place. Outstanding scenery, cool shade on hot days thanks to beautiful vegetation, historical passageway with awesome bridges and tunnels, well-maintained trails. We can't wait to do it again!
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