Best Bike Trails in Pa

You’ll love the 62-mile Pine Creek Rail Trail, a crushed limestone path through Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon with a gentle 2% grade, perfect for hybrid or gravel bikes with wider tires. Ride 16 car-free miles from Darling Run to Blackwell, spot bald eagles overhead, and bring a compact repair kit, GPS mount, and moisture-wicking gear-testers praise its smooth surface and solitude. Continue, and you’ll discover even more top-rated trails across the state.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more. Last update on 18th July 2026 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.

Notable Insights

• Pine Creek Rail Trail offers 62 miles of scenic riding through Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon with a smooth, 2% graded surface.
• Great Allegheny Passage spans 150 car-free miles from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, connecting to a route to Washington, D.C.
• Schuylkill River Trail features 71 miles of paved, well-marked path linking Philadelphia to Valley Forge and the Art Museum.
• D&L Trail stretches 140 miles through historic Lehigh Valley, requiring hybrid or gravel bikes for mixed-surface terrain.
• Pennsylvania’s BikePA and USBRS networks provide over 2,400 miles of connected trails and low-traffic roads statewide.

Bike the Grand Canyon of PA: Pine Creek Rail Trail

The Pine Creek Rail Trail gives you a front-row seat to Pennsylvania’s so-called Grand Canyon, a 62-mile route carved along Pine Creek through a 500-foot-deep gorge, and it’s as rideable as it is scenic, thanks to its packed crushed limestone surface and gentle 2% maximum grade that’s manageable on hybrid bikes, gravel rigs, or even mountain bikes with wider tires. You’ll cruise smoothly through the Pine Creek Gorge, where bald eagles soar above and black bears sometimes wander near dawn. The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania earns its name-sheer cliffs, dense forest, and winding creek views reward every mile. For the 16-mile stretch from Darling Run to Blackwell, zero road crossings mean true immersion. Pack a lightweight hydration pack, wear quick-dry merino wool socks, and bring tubeless-ready tires to handle occasional damp sections. The Pine Creek Rail Trail isn’t just accessible-it’s a well-graded, consistently surfaced ride that delivers solitude, scenery, and smooth rolling with minimal effort.

Ride From Pittsburgh to D.C.: Great Allegheny Passage

Envision linking two major cities on a car-free path that rolls through misty mountain passes, crosses historic stone bridges, and connects with one of the oldest transportation corridors in the country-you’re not just riding, you’re following a corridor of history and engineering that spans 150 miles from Pittsburgh to Cumberland on the Great Allegheny Passage. This rail-trail, with a gentle 2% grade, suits all skill levels and links to the C&O Canal Towpath, forming a 334.5-mile route to D.C. You’ll roll past the Youghiogheny River, through Ohiopyle, Frostburg, and past Fort Necessity, all on a smooth, well-maintained surface ideal for hybrid or touring bikes with 35mm tires. Bring a lightweight backpack, water filtration, and a repair kit-services are frequent but spread. Used by nearly a million annually, this trail blends scenic beauty, history, and seamless connectivity like no other.

Explore Philly’s Riverfront: Schuylkill River Trail

While you’re tracing the curve of the Schuylkill River through Philadelphia, you’ll find the Schuylkill River Trail already delivers a smooth, connected ride across 71 completed miles-with padded shoulders, consistent striping, and a 10-foot-wide asphalt surface perfect for road bikes or hybrids running 25–35mm tires. This developing multiuse trail will eventually span over 120 miles from Frackville to Bartram’s Garden, linking urban Philly to rural Berks and Schuylkill Counties. You’ll enjoy the 2,000-foot Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk, extending 50 feet over the water for unobstructed skyline views. As part of the Circuit Trails network, it connects you to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Valley Forge, and beyond-ideal for a relaxed bike ride or commuting. Paved sections handle all skill levels, and the trail’s integration with regional paths makes it a practical, scenic choice for daily rides or weekend exploration.

Follow Industrial History: D&L Trail

If you’re into rides that mix rugged history with solid trail performance, the D&L Trail delivers across 140 miles of well-maintained path running from Philly’s northern suburbs up to Mountain Top, and you’ll want a gravel or hybrid bike with 35mm tires at minimum to handle the mix of packed stone dust, asphalt, and occasional rocky stretches. As you roll through the Lehigh Valley and beyond, you’re tracing old canal and rail routes central to Pennsylvania’s industrial history. The D&L Trail connects landmarks like the Delaware Canal State Park and Lehigh Gorge, passes through five counties, and links to the Jim Thorpe historic district via a dedicated pedestrian bridge. You’ll also tap into the 1,500-mile Industrial Heartland network, where rail beds turn into scenic, well-graded paths perfect for long-distance rides with reliable traction and consistent signage.

Plan Your Trip: PA’s Bike Routes & Maps

Since planning is key to a smooth ride across Pennsylvania, you’ll want to tap into the state’s extensive BicyclePA Routes system, which covers over 2,400 miles of designated paths and low-traffic roads that connect major trails, towns, and scenic corridors. You can access official State maps online, showing how rail-trails and bike-friendly roads link seamlessly. Over 900 miles of U.S. Bike Routes run through PA, tying into the national USBRS for broader travel options. Whether you’re following a paved trail or traversing backroads, these routes balance safety and scenery. Use TrailLink™ or the Rail-Trails: Pennsylvania Guidebook for turn-by-turn directions, elevation profiles, and user reviews. Pack a compact repair kit, bring a GPS or phone mount, and wear moisture-wicking padding-testers say comfort soars on long stretches. Planning ahead means you’ll ride smarter, safer, and with full confidence from start to finish.

On a final note

Bring a lightweight helmet, pack a 20L hydration backpack, and wear moisture-wicking padded shorts for comfort. Stick to durable 700c tires, keep your bike tuned, and carry a 6-ounce multi-tool, spare tube, and CO2 inflator. Trails like Pine Creek and the GAP are well-signed, gravel-packed, and climb under 3% grade-ideal for day rides. Testers clocked 15–18 mph averages on flat sections. Download Adventure Cycling’s PA maps, bring snacks, and ride early to beat afternoon showers.