Explore the best rated trails in Sunbury, PA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Susquehanna Bikeway and Schuylkill Valley Heritage Trail . With more than 33 trails covering 389 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
I was in Harrisburg for the weekend and looking for a bike ride on Sunday morning with friends. We greatly enjoyed biking the Capital Area Greenbelt. The ride is paved with short bits of gravel, mainly flat but with some steep but short hills. The trail does cross some busy intersections, but there was always a crosswalk and usually a traffic light. Cars often stopped for us at crosswalks. We rode counter-clockwise, starting at City Island. I agree with other reviewers that this trails is not the best for small children due to crossing these intersections. There was a short trail closure along the river on the southern part of the route, but I found the detour signs easily and we returned to the trail without problem. We biked on roads for a few miles, but we found only 1 road to be remotely busy (it was on the detour), the rest were neighborhood streets. There were walkers along the trail, especially in the parks, so caution was needed, especially at Wildwood Park. The trail was picturesque - both along the Susquehanna river and through several Harrisburg parks. Trail markings were present most of the time, but I agree with others - have a map. Or better, use the TrailLink app on your smartphone or download the route to your cyclecomputer (I found the route on Garmin.com and MapMyRide). We brought water and snacks, there was water along the way but few options for food. The bathroom at Wildwood Park was clean with running water and a water fountain. We are experienced riders, so I did not consider this a strenuous 20 mile ride, but it will be a challenge for beginners. Overall it was a very pleasant few hours exploring the area around Harrisburg, and if you are looking for an urban style bike ride this one will meet your needs.
My first ride of the season on this trail in my hometown. Lancaster Co. Parks & Rec Dept decided to patch this trail with large non-bike-friendly gravel which makes for a rough ride where it's patched. It is especially bad in the first couple miles between Rtes. 230 and 743. The Rt. 743 (55 mph 2 lane road) crossing is dangerous, but they are working on putting up lights, for what it's worth. If you want to ride this trail, park at Trolly Line Park off of Beverly Road and just ride north to the connecting Lebanon Valley Trail. ...you'll avoid the Rt 743 crossing and the roughest part of the trail.
We rode e-bikes from 12th and Cumberland down to colebrook trailhead and back on a Tuesday . Very nice ride. Easy going. Pleasant folks. Seemed about 1/4 e-bikes of the bikes we saw.
It was fun. Was severely dehydrated and had to call an ambulance the end, but it was definitely worth it! Would do it again just not to Phoenixville lol
I'm rating this trail for its future potential more than its current condition.
The two segments that currently exist are nice enough, and the trailhead in Castanea is great. The existing trail segments are well-maintained with decent scenery as they follow close to Bald Eagle Creek and the West Branch of the Susquehanna. They can also easily be connected by traveling a couple of miles on quiet roads in between.
When complete, this trail will effectively become a roughly 10-mile extension of the spectacular Pine Creek Trail, creating a continuous path from Lock Haven nearly to Wellsboro.
I spent a few days bikepacking to, from, and on the Pine Creek Trail in early October 2023, and I attempted to use the existing parts of the Bald Eagle Valley Trail since they were more or less along my route. On my way to Pine Creek I took the existing trail segment east from Castanea and then took the roads to the beginning of the second trail segment. I then rode the second trail segment and crossed the (fantastic) bridge over the West Branch of the Susquehanna. After studying maps and satellite images, I thought that it might be possible to exit the trail from the eastern end and continue on a local road toward Jersey Shore. However, the improved trail ends abruptly after crossing the bridge over the West Branch, and I found that there was definitely no way to access any road from this point (especially with a loaded touring bike). The banks on either side of the trail fell away steeply and were thick with brush, and the adjacent land was posted private property. The old rail bed obviously continued east from this point, but it was too overgrown with weeds to ride. I had to backtrack the second trail segment to the bridge on McElhattan Drive in order to cross the West Branch and continue on my way.
I really look forward to the day when I can hop on this trail in Castanea or Lock Haven (or maybe someday even further south?) and travel all the way to the beginning of the Pine Creek Trail in Jersey Shore...
Ok for running or walking but surface too soft and rocky for riding. Rode half way and gave up and moved to road. Parallel tracks indicate it's used by 4 x 4s more than bikes. Also, there's not much to look at since it's right by the road.
Trail surface was great for a gravel ride. Not overgrown at all. Scenic, and the fact that it's 20' above the adjacent highway keeps noise and vehicle intimidation to a minimum.
I always park at the RT230 lot because it is only about 5 miles from my house. I have been on this trail more times than I can count over a lot of years and nothing has much changed. That is why I keep going back. Quiet, calm, peaceful are all proper descriptions of the ride in my book. And that it connects to the longer LVRT and also to Horseshoe trail and the MB trails at MT Gretna make it a truly unique ride for me. In fact one I will be doing that ride tomorrow. It's Sunday and you can ride through the Game Lands.
Nice trail but definitely take the time to plan the off-shoot into Mt Gretna. Grab a bite at The Porch Pantry and also bike through the aection of gingerbread style homes located behind the Mt Gretna Playhouse. You'll have a nice view of the lake as well.
I rode from Jersey Shore to outside of Wellsboro and back over two days. The trail is well maintained and number of spots you want to stop at and just watch world go by.
Some things to note:
Bring a physical map since cell phones don't work. The trail is well marked concerning the distance between location but without a map, you don't know where you are exactly. And there are no maps on the trail.
Wear sunscreen. If it's a sunny day, it can be brutal with the sun beating down on you.
Bring extra water. Aside from a few stores (Slate Run and Cedar Run) on the trail, there is no sources of drinkable water on the trail that I could find.
No shelters aside from comfort locations. If a storm rolls in, you’re out of luck.
Overall the trail is a wonderful and one I hope to visit again.
This trail is well maintained! And it's beautiful ¿¿ one of my favorites!
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone
