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Print Friendly MapThe Susquehanna River Walk and Timber Trail provide easy walking and biking experiences for all ability levels in the communities of Williamsport and South Williamsport. The trails are built primarily atop levees along the north and south shores of the West Branch Susquehanna River. Active freight railroads border both sides of the river, with the short-line Lycoming Valley Railroad to the north and the Norfolk Southern mainline to the south.
As you ride along the trail, it is easy to imagine the level of complex partnerships required to make the trail a reality. Tastefully engineered to incorporate electric utilities, sewage inlets, active railroads, highway bridges, and levee views, the trails appear seamlessly connected, providing a real-life inspiration for partnership in trail building. The local government and community advocates have much to be proud of here.
A surprising diversity of native plants, trees, and wildlife are consistent throughout the route. Especially wonderful views of the river and South Williamsport add to the trail’s simple beauty. Look out for a low dam between the Market Street and Maynard Street Bridges that provides a beautiful contrast to the relatively slow-moving Susquehanna. Also prevalent along the path is interpretive signage—-not to mention lumber-themed public art—highlighting the importance of logging to the region.
Start your journey at the southeastern terminus of the Susquehanna River Walk portion of the trail in South Williamsport, passing Paws Park to your right. Follow the trail over a railroad crossing, then continue on the trail with the river to your right. At US 15/Market Street in South Williamsport, you can either turn right to cross the Market Street Bridge or continue on the Timber Trail to cross the Maynard Street Bridge. Both bridges feature a dedicated pedestrian-bicyclist portion on the west side to provide easy, protected access to both the north and south portions of the riverside trail. Gradual grades on the entrances and exits of ramps under the bridges provide easy access for all ability levels.
The C-shaped Timber Trail portion of the trail connects the southern and northern sections of the Susquehanna River Walk. Running west from the Market Street Bridge in South Williamsport, with the river to the right, the Timber Trail heads 1.3 miles to cross the Maynard Street Bridge. Loop beneath the bridge and follow the trail to Market Street in Williamsport, with the river to your right.
From here, the Susquehanna River Walk resumes, heading 1.5 miles to the northeastern endpoint at Commerce Park Drive, just south of I-180. The trail shares a parking lot with the Susquehanna Bikeway, which heads another 3.2 miles east along the river and then northeast into Montoursville. Lycoming County is working on a 3-mile extension from the Maynard Street Bridge west to Susquehanna State Park that would run entirely along the north side of the river. The project is estimated to be complete by the end of 2021.
To reach the southeastern endpoint in South Williamsport from I-80, take Exit 210B to merge onto US 15 N. Go 15.5 miles, and turn right onto Fairmont Ave. Go 0.4 mile, and turn right onto E. Mountain Ave. Take the second left onto Charles St., and go 0.1 mile. Turn right onto E. Central Ave., and immediately turn left into the parking lot.
To reach the northern endpoint in Williamsport from I-180, take Exit 25 toward Faxon. (From I-180 E, turn right onto Commerce Park Dr. From I-180 W, keep left at the fork, and turn left onto S. Northway Road. Go 0.1 mile, and turn left onto Commerce Park Dr.) A parking lot for both the Susquehanna River Walk and Timber Trail and the Susquehanna Bikeway is located immediately over the railroad tracks to your right. The trail access point, marked with bike route signage, is located across Commerce Park Dr.
We started our ride by doing a loop around the South Williamsport Community Park then on to the Susquehanna River Walk trail to the Timber Trail, back onto the SRW and then on to the Susquehanna Bikeway. We also rode the Canfield Island Heritage Park trail, a very scenic little loop and a loop around a pond in Indian Park near the north end of the Bikeway. For the most part the trails are well maintained, but there is no escaping your proximity to the highways for most of the ride. Not a bad trail but I prefer more seclusion.
We started at trailhead in S Williamsport and crossed the river at Maynard St bridge. Had to walk bike across because of pedestrians crossing at the same time. We biked to the end of the trail and continued on the Susquehanna Bikeway into Montoursville, returning to S Williamsport.
The ride had a few areas with a challenging incline but overall a great trail and very scenic as you are next to the river the whole time. There are plenty of benches to sit on and educational signs to read and learn about the history of Williamsport. Did I mention it was paved?? Loved it! Also, it didn't seem very busy for a Sunday afternoon.
As described you might believe this trail is only a few miles near the city of Williamsport. It connects to many more miles of urban riding remaining almost entirely off roads. There are several connecting trails to the north, south and east. If you were to ride all of these connections in a single day you could find yourself riding upwards of 50 miles. I frequently ride this trial, to the north you pass several community parks, soccer club, farmers fields and wetlands where you often see wildlife, at the eastern connection you ride further along the north side of Susquehanna river passing boat launches, fisherman, kayakers, and other side trails at Canfield island, ending at Indian Park in Montoursville. The southern connection takes you the river through the community of Sout Williamsport and ends at the community park adjacent to the Little League International complex. A very extensive network of connecting urban trials with access to both nature and city scapes.
Really nice trail. right on the river.
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