Ratings of Rail Trails and Bike Paths in Pennsylvania

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The ratings below have been submitted by visitors who have used the trails listed in Rail Trails in Pennsylvania. To rate a trail, click on "Rate this Trail" on that trail's listing.

Number of ratings for this region: 48
The latest 20 ratings are listed below

Trail name: Pine Creek Trail
Times biking the trail: Once
Date of last visit: Sept, 2005
Sections that I biked: Entire trail, both directions(109 mls)
My favourite sections of the trail: Blackwell north to state parks
Best time to go: When the water is high, and/or when the leaves are changing or off the trees. the runoffs are dry in the summer and the sycamore leaves block the mountain views.
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: Very smooth and wide surface. scenery on the trail and views along surrounding roadways. Length, acessability, and plenty of rest rooms. Ice cream and general stores. Wildlife, including almost colliding with a bear.
What I disliked: Too many double gates to zig zag around south of Blackwell(just get going and have to slow down again to navigate around gates). Too many sycamores planted along trail (2-3 ft apart in areas). Nice for shade, some day, but they also block the views,and along with the gates, make the trail look more like a city path instead of a natural wilderness area. I expected to see more of the mountains and wilder areas.
Comments: Don't ride south of Rt 220 tressel into Jersey Shore. There is only a short paved section then the rest is unimproved and sprinkled with glass. Southern most parking area is 2 miles north of Rt 220 on Rt 44 and is on the left after the path crosses 44. Bike north then return south. It's about 25% easier pedaling south. Plenty of hotels in Williamsport or Lewisburg, and both are only a short drive to the southern end. Definitely was worth the trip. Nice views on Rt 44 towards Rt 15.
Submitted by: Bob & Deb
from: Sussex, N.J.
Date submitted: Sept 14, 2005

Trail name: Pine Creek Trail
Times biking the trail: Once
Date of last visit: Sept, 2005
Sections that I biked: Ansonia to Blackwell
My favourite sections of the trail: The first eight miles or so
Best time to go: Was only there once (Labor Day weekend) but in the Fall is must be fantastic!
Trail marking: Fair
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4.5 stars
What I liked: Scenery is magnificent. The trail is VERY well taken care of.
What I disliked: Not much to dislike for me.
Comments: Spend a day and evening in nearby Wellsboro. A quaint, friendly little town with old-fashion gas lights down the main streets, and a number of "folksy" shops, eateries, pubs, etc.
Submitted by: William Karchner
from: Danville, PA
Date submitted: Sept 5, 2005

Trail name: Butler-Freeport Community Trail
Times biking the trail: Weekly
Date of last visit: July, 2005
Sections that I biked: Laneville (Freeport) to Bonniebrook Road
My favourite sections of the trail: The whole trail.
Best time to go: Any time not snow covered.
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4.5 stars
What I liked: The parts following the creeks are relaxing, the northern parts have a good amount of diverse scenery and wildlife, including wildflowers, birds, large black snakes, etc.
What I disliked: Trail needs to be finished from Bonniebrook, north to Butler, with all the broken glass removed, etc.
Comments: I ride at least twice a week from Laneville to
Bonniebrook Rd and back, and enjoy every mile of it. Some parts need some work where there was some washout, but it is a good workout. Most of the trail southbound is level or slightly downhill, making the return journey relaxing.
Submitted by: John Bissell
from: Butler, PA.
Date submitted: July 16, 2005

Trail name: Oil Creek State Park
Times biking the trail: Few
Date of last visit: July, 2005
Sections that I biked: All
My favourite sections of the trail: All
Best time to go: June thru Oct
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 5 stars
What I liked: All of thee above, and then some! Such Splendor! Wild Life, etc...
What I disliked: N/A
Comments: Thank You! For being such good stewards to make and keep this land beautiful.
Submitted by: LA
from: Ohio
Date submitted: July 14, 2005

Trail name: Schuylkill River Trail
Times biking the trail: Once
Date of last visit: May, 2005
Sections that I biked: from Perkiomen to Manayunk
My favourite sections of the trail: Valley Forge
Best time to go:
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: great, fairly easy ride through a variety of scenery
What I disliked:
Comments: a bit of unpaved area near Manayunk, not bad though
Submitted by: ADM
from: Pittsburgh
Date submitted: May 25, 2005

Trail name: D&H Rail-Trail
Times biking the trail: Once
Date of last visit: May, 2005
Sections that I biked: We started at the last train tunnel just above Hwy 80. We rode 14 miles north, ate lunch and then rode back. Perfect day for it.
My favourite sections of the trail: The tunnels were great. BRING A GOOD LITE! The scenery, the falls, the river were all great.
Best time to go: May was nice and will be back for fall time.
Trail marking: Fair
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: I ride 20+ miles every weekend and this is one of the most scenic trails I've been on. No bathrooms along the way. There was 11 of us. 1/2 women that did not like hiding behind trees. Ha!
What I disliked: No good map found to come of of Hwy 80. The back gravel roads and mountains were fun but we didn't know if we were lost or not. Very few road signs. Some of the hills we had to use 4 wheel drive to keep from spining up them. But it was still fun so can't say it was bad. But the trail needs at least one or two porta-potties.
Comments: There is a section of the trail that is not finished. It needs better signs to mark it but I was glad it was not finished because it made it more fun for everyone.
Thanks for putting the trail in.
Submitted by: CC
from: Ohio
Date submitted: May 24, 2005

Trail name: Butler-Freeport Community Trail
Times biking the trail: Several
Date of last visit: Apr, 2005
Sections that I biked: freeport to marwood
My favourite sections of the trail: all of it
Best time to go: spring
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Fair
Rating: 5 stars
What I liked: nice resting areas for looking around if interested
What I disliked: nothing
Comments: the wash outs and the rock fall out down by the bear creek area.
Submitted by: jfn
from: butler, pa.
Date submitted: April 24, 2005

Trail name: D&H Rail-Trail
Times biking the trail: Several
Date of last visit: Apr, 2005
Sections that I biked: I've biked the entire paved section (which is now well beyond 15 miles).
My favourite sections of the trail: This trail is beautiful from start to finish (which includes the "unfinished" portions). Indian God Rock (an ancient native american hiejroglyph) is along the trail (it also sports some "newer" graffiti dating to the early 1800's) and the river, for the entire length is designated as a national scenic river.
Best time to go: Spring, summer, fall. Fall is spectacular but spring and summer are right behind.
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4.5 stars
What I liked: The trail is gorgeous. It also connects to several other rail trails. It has well maintained camping areas, benches for taking in the scenery, and easy access. The trail is paved most of the way. Tunnels are fun.
What I disliked: Close to Franklin, the trail can get a bit congested on nice days but beyond the first couple of miles the trail is almost traffic free.
Comments: There are several places to stay, eat, points of interest along the trail. The trail's termini (Franklin and Emlenton) both offer lodging and dining possibilities and the trail itself has several designated campsites. The trail is in Oil Heritage country. You should have a headlight on your bicycle; the trail passes through a rather long tunnel near Kennerdell. Winter riding can be hazardous - snow piles up - and the trail can be quite wet in the spring. There is a bicylce shop in Franklin along the trail and canoe trips are possible along the way; there are several liveries that will set you up for excursions.
Submitted by: Mike Bagdes-Canning
from: Cherry Valley, Pennsylvania, USA
Date submitted: April 24, 2005

Trail name: Presque Isle State Park
Times biking the trail: Few
Date of last visit: Sept, 2002
Sections that I biked: The whole trail.
My favourite sections of the trail: Riding along the bay.
Best time to go: Fall
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4.5 stars
What I liked: Scenery, extremely well marked and well maintained. Sometimes it's hard to realize you're in maintained park - it's beautiful.
What I disliked: Wind - but that can't be helped.
Comments: The Radisson Hotel was great. Reasonable prices and complimentary Breakfast buffet. Great location to the Park.
Submitted by: Linda
from: Warrington, Pa.
Date submitted: April 18, 2005

Trail name: Schuylkill River Trail
Times biking the trail: Several
Date of last visit: Oct, 2004
Sections that I biked: All sections from Philadelphia to Oaks
My favourite sections of the trail: Through Norristown, except for the sewage plant, through Manyunk and near Roxbourough
Best time to go: Anytime is great - of course fall is beautiful
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: Close to home. Easy, flat easy for kids
What I disliked: There is a small section of the trail that passes a sewer processing plant.
Comments: Starting in Philadelphia you wind through the wonderful Kelley drive part of Fairmont park. From there you go through the old mill town of Manyunk, then through some surprisingly close to the city wildlands, then Consohocken, Norristown and on the Valley Forge National Park. Many side trips (Wissihickon, Schulkyll Nature Center, etc) make for many many fine days of bike riding
Submitted by: TJR
from: Gladwyne, PA
Date submitted: March 2, 2005

Trail name: Cumberland Valley Rail-Trail
Times biking the trail: Several
Date of last visit: Nov, 2004
Sections that I biked: The entire trail. Much of it is still ballast. Construction is continuing.
My favourite sections of the trail: It's all about the same.
Best time to go: Spring, Fall
Trail marking: Fair
Trail maintenance: Poor
Rating: 2 stars
What I liked: Farms
What I disliked: I was very disappointed with the completed surface of the trail. All other packed limestone rail trails that I have riden were smooth. In my opinion, this surface is unacceptable for being new. It has a "wash-rubbery" ride to it, even on a mtn bike. In Newville, where the surface is concrete, it would have been ideal for inline skating. However, longitudinal grooves were drawn into the completed surface, making it very rough on small wheels.
Comments: Groundhog holes often pop up in the still uncompleted sections of the trail.
Submitted by: wildbill40@bikerider.com
from: Pa.
Date submitted: Jan 6, 2005

Trail name: Allegheny Trail
Times biking the trail: Several
Date of last visit: August, 2003
Sections that I biked: I have biked the southern sections many times but have biked the entire length from Pittsburgh to Meyersdale, overland to Cumberland, and then to D.C in August, 2003.
My favourite sections of the trail: The further one gets from Pittsburgh the more scenic it becomes. The prettiest sections are along the white water of the Youghiogheny and Castleman Rivers. The trestles at Ohiopyle are easiest to get to but don't discount the Pinkerton or Salisbury trestles.
Best time to go: Early fall; Summer
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4.5 stars
What I liked: Unparalleled scenery
What I disliked: Pittsburgh
Comments: Pittsburgh to McKeesport is not yet well marked and involves traveling on some very dangerous highways.
Submitted by: Barry L Sherry
from: Woodbridge, Va.
Date submitted: Nov 29, 2004

Trail name: Presque Isle State Park
Times biking the trail: Weekly
Date of last visit: ,
Sections that I biked: The entire trail
My favourite sections of the trail: The Lake Erie sections
Best time to go: Spring, Summer, and Fall
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 5 stars
What I liked: Paved all the way with great scenery
What I disliked: competition from rented multiperson surrey bikes
Comments:
Submitted by: Raymond K. Klappa
from: Erie, PA
Date submitted: Sept 22, 2004

Trail name: Armstrong Trail
Times biking the trail: Few
Date of last visit: Sept, 2004
Sections that I biked: i have been on the trail from east brady to red bank creek,up red bank creek to lawsonham .from templeton north to where it is blocked off .and from kittanning south to schenley.
My favourite sections of the trail: from east brady to red bank creek -old round table , tunnel and coal loading tower.
from kittanning to schenley- old coke ovens and old factories on trail
Best time to go: when ever you are up to the ride!!
Trail marking: Poor
Trail maintenance: Poor
Rating: 2 stars
What I liked: not a lot of people and a lot to see
What I disliked: cars , trucks , atv's on trail!!!!!!!!!!
Comments: trail is rough most of the trail, done in some of the towns .
Submitted by: w.w.s.
from: waterford pa.
Date submitted: Sept 5, 2004

Trail name: Clarion/Little Toby Creek Trail
Times biking the trail: Few
Date of last visit: August, 2004
Sections that I biked: From games lands, 8 miles towards Ridgway.
My favourite sections of the trail: The ghost towns, swinging bridge and beautiful scenery.
Best time to go: spring/fall
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 5 stars
What I liked: scenery, fairly level grade, condition of the trail.
What I disliked:
Comments:
Submitted by: JMH
from: Reynoldsville, PA
Date submitted: Aug 15, 2004

Trail name: Armstrong Trail
Times biking the trail: Once
Date of last visit: July, 2004
Sections that I biked: I biked from East Brady to about a mile past the river lock/dam.
My favourite sections of the trail: The tunnel that used to be open to Sara Furnace, along with any visible reminders of the past.
Best time to go:
Trail marking: Poor
Trail maintenance: Poor
Rating: 0.5 stars
What I liked: I enjoyed the vegetation, the river and the extremely rare spots which my hybrid bike could tolerate. Hardly anything is left of Sara Furnace (if you check out that separate stop off the highway). The owners of a house/cottage right there were very kind in filling me with the history of that area. In fact, a fellow who originally worked at the furnace lived in the house adjacent to the people I met.
What I disliked: About a mile or so past the lock/dam, I came across the trail as being clearly blocked with "Private Property & No Trespassing "warnings. I had no alternate path to take in this heavy brush, but had to turn around. There is another spot where you might feel like you are violating one's preference for privacy, but there is no other way through. Besides having to turn around, I couldn't deal with any more large gravel, and stayed away from an adult and 2 young boys tooling around on & near the path with ATV's.
Comments: (Sara Furnace notation above) I hope this trail receives funds and appropriate 'muscle' to designate a safe path. I rarely could look up from my bike, as I was putting all my energy in controlling it on most of the surface! Also,if a property owner prevails in litigation, then how about an easy alternative jaunt around that particular spot? A well maintained trail will bring people, a very visible statement that the rail line is here to stay.. for all. Then maybe encroachment will be held in check.
Submitted by: Dave S.
from: Erie, Pa.
Date submitted: Aug 4, 2004

Trail name: Clarion/Little Toby Creek Trail
Times biking the trail: Few
Date of last visit: August, 2003
Sections that I biked: From Ridgway trail head to about 12 Miles south.
My favourite sections of the trail: North along the Clarion river
Best time to go: Summer and early fall
Trail marking: Fair
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 5 stars
What I liked: Senery, few people, smell of the trees and river.
What I disliked: Mosquitos at sunset.
Comments: Bridges and rocks along river and creeks, I've already discussed the series of deep ruts across a small part of the trail. I intend to find places to eat along the trail. There are a couple of picnic tables avaiable on the northern section.
Submitted by: RC
from: St. Marys, Pa.
Date submitted: Aug 4, 2004

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