Explore the best rated trails in State College, PA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Ghost Town Trail and Buffalo Flat Trail . With more than 25 trails covering 293 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.
That is Red Cut, not Red Rut. My husband says the best part of the trail is Red Cut. If you stand there long enough you can almost hear the trains coming. Make sure you read the plaque there.
Rode this trail today on our Giant Momentum E bikes. Started at beginning of trail in Everett, ended at Red Rut where the trail ends. 24 mile round trip. Trail was mostly fine gravel with grass in the middle. Some places gravel was slightly thick, but was not a problem for us at all. Goes through two towns towards the end section. Signs are easy to follow there. Follows along the Juanita river. However there is about a 2 mile or so section that is stone road. Would ride again if in the area.
My wife and I love riding this trail whenever we can. Easy to get to, trail heads are very well done, restrooms (comfort stations) are spaced out quite well, beautiful scenery, trail in excellent condition.
On this most recent trip, a buddy and I wanted to get into bikepacking and I suggeste this trail to "cut our teeth". Had it planned all out, but at the last minute he had to back out. I decided I still wanted to do it so rode from Jersey Shore up to Hoffman Campground (which is stellar!), tent camped for the night, and came back the next day.
Wonderful experience all around...you will love this trail!
About a mile above vintondale the trail is washed out could be a very dangerous situation. The washout goes beyond where it’s marked and I don’t know what the rest of the trail looks like, but we turned around and went back. It was too much for us. We’re on Rance and it’s not worth rolling them in all the deep, washout places, caution
We are older Gen X rail trail mountain bikers and we found this trail near where we were RV ing. It was relatively flat and about 5 miles round trip. The views along the creek were nice and the tunnel and bridge were neat. Our rating is due to the condition of the trail surface, which we found rocky, rough, and in need of maintenance in a few spots. We only encounter 2 other bikers and a few hikers. We believe with some improvements this would could hecome a more sought out destination.
We did only 10 miles today 10 miles up and 10 miles back, but I love this trail. They have rest stops every 3 miles which is great because you can use the bathroom. The trail was beautiful. We started from black lick. I can’t wait to ride the other side.
I've lived in Boalsburg, PA for 10 of the last 13 years and have probably ridden the full 32 miles, there and back, of the Lower Trail nearly 100 times. It's because of this trail and the Pine Creek Rail Trail that I have fallen in love with rail trails and Pennsylvania. I won't repeat everything that has been said in other reviews, but I want to say a few things that have not been said and/or emphasized. These things are not necessarily unique to the Lower Trail by any means, but I promise you they can all be experienced on its path.
1) The Lower Trail is very remote, and this revives the soul! To get to any of the trailheads you are "forced" to drive through fertile farm fields, surrounded by majestic, ancient, and time-worn ridges. There's not a city in sight! It doesn't matter if you are coming from Altoona, State College, Huntingdon, or afar, you can't help but relax and let it all go on the drive there. Roll down the windows and enjoy Central Pennsylvania in all of its glory.
2) It's history, and this inspires! Native Americans forged this trail along the Juniata; the Main Line of the Pennsylvania Canal channeled its way through the ridgelines here; the Pennsylvania Railroad took a shortcut through the gorges to bypass Tyrone when traffic was heavy; Amelia Earhart spent her weekends in Williamsburg; there are hidden locks, loading docks, and long lost railroad bridges over the Juniata with only a few stacked stones of abutments left. Just think, Charles Dickens spent time on this trail as he was pulled upstream on a canal boat by a team of donkeys. He wrote fondly about this trail!
3) There's a river, and you can kayak it! It's called the Juniata! Leave your bike at Alfarata or Mount Etna Station, drive your kayaks to Williamsburg, kayak downstream along the Juniata back to your bike, and bike ride back to your car. You get the drift? You can spend a whole day biking and kayaking along this magnificent corridor. There's something incredible about paddling your boat under ancient railroad viaducts while navigating occasional rapids and waving to bikers on the trail as they ride by!
4) Human diversity abounds! Infants to retirees frequent this trail all year long. There are strollers, tricycles, gravel bikes, mountain bikes, street bikes, electric bikes, scooters, one-wheeled skateboards, recumbents, horses, and folks using their good old-fashion two feet. But, it's never too crowded, and everyone is so kind and courteous. The trail is wide enough to pass safely with a soft ding of a bell or a quick verbal cue of on your left. You can ride fast or slow, lazily or with determination. There is an in fact an 11 mile stretch with zero road crossings. Imagine the time trials one could ride! Or you can slow down and take it all in.
5) Natural diversity envelops you! Foliage and fauna, marmots and birds. My most memorable moment with nature occured while kayaking and a bald eagle on July 4th stayed with us for about a mile. Continually swooping past us, about 10 feet over our heads, gazing at us as he passed, perching in a tree just in front of us, and performing this dance over and over again.
My apologies if this review is a bit personal. The Lower Trail is truly a hidden gem. It's shaped me and my family - kept us sane and whole, and I give so much thanks to those who had the vision to make this trail a reality. There's nothing that gives me greater joy than when I ask my teenage daughter each spring if she'd like to go on a bike ride with me on the Lower Trail, and her eyes pop open and she enthusiastically says yes.
Rode this trail on a Tuesday morning in June, starting in Alexandria. The parking area is easy to find and has a bathroom. I encountered maybe 10 or 15 other people/groups in about 2 hours, mostly cycling with an occasional runner/walker. Lots of benches along the way with an occasional bathroom at other parking areas. The first 11 miles is all shaded with no road crossings, flat, and very peaceful once the trail veers away from the road after a mile or so. It is well maintained (didn’t see a single piece of trash), the surface is nice for cycling, and while the asphalt section had some bumps from tree roots, they were well marked. I turned around shortly after Williamsburg (about 12 miles) due to the heat, but will absolutely be back to do the entire trail. HIGHLY recommend.
A friend and I rode the Ghost Town Trail from Blacklick (Saylor Park) to Nanty Glo and back in June 2024. Temps were in the low 90s with some humidity.
The trail surface is generally good - mostly packed dirt with occasional gravel spots. Between mileposts 20 and 21 there was a washout on half the trail. The other half has ravines and requires caution. Orange cones mark the damage.
The trail is uphill virtually all the way from Blacklick to Nanty Glo. Several sections are steeper than others. Plan to spend more time riding west to east.
The trail has frequent historical signage and some photos at the sites of the 9 ghost towns. We enjoyed reading the signs' text. Unfortunately in most cases there is nothing to see (no foundations or chimneys). Several coal seams are reminders of the mining.
The trail is very rural, and reminded us of the Katy in Missouri. It is important to carry hydration and food, as we saw no place to buy food until Nanty Glo. All restaurants in town were closed at lunchtime Monday, so we bought snacks at the RiteAid.
A friend and I rode the Lower Trail in June 2024. Temps were in the low 90s; it was humid. Fortunately the trail is very well shaded. The section from Alexandria to Williamsburg is nearly flat and mostly 2-track well-packed dirt. The last 3 miles are paved asphalt. The pavement used to be rough. It's much better now, with occasional tree root bumps.
The trail has LOTS of benches and several picnic shelters. It's quiet so we heard a variety of birds. En route we chatted with Mike, a local who's a trail keeper. We also encountered a local who was removing invasive species along the trail.
The only disappointment was the Lower Trail Creamery in Williamsburg. We (and another couple) saw an employee enter the Creamery at 11:30am. We knocked on the door and asked if we could be served soon. We were told to wait until the posted noon opening. Very disappointing on a hot day!
Years ago when we first rode the Lower Trail, we would only see one or two riders or walkers. Today there were 10 vehicles in the Alexandria parking lot. Mike said the parking lot fills up on weekends.
A beautiful trail for walking only. There are signs stating no bikes, rollerblading, and no skateboarding.
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