Pennsylvania's Great Lakes Region
www.pagreatlakes.com
(Printable PDF)
Erie County
Erie County's scenic landscapes offer a beautiful route for anyone who loves riding bikes. ROUTE Y - HISTORIC ROUTE 6, known as the Republic Highway, was designed as a Pennsylvania Heritage Corridor in 2005. This trail, 400 miles long, begins in Erie County and ends in Pike County. The outdoor serenity and Bed & Breakfasts offer a tranquil escape into the area's enchanted countryside along with the historic downtowns of Corry & Edinboro.
The 6-mile long CORRY JUNCTION GREENWAY TRAIL was built for pedestrians, bicyclists, equestrians, snowmobilers, cross-country skiers, snow-shoers and other non-motorized uses. This trail winds through the beautiful Brokenstraw Valley, where small streams, wildlife, trees and wildflowers make the trail a delight in any season.
Beautiful waterfront vistas await you along the ROUTE Z - SEAWAY TRAIL, nationally designated as one of America's BywaysTM. This 64-mile PA section runs parallel to Lake Erie, Presque Isle State Park and the Bayfront Parkway. The trail starts at Route 5, following the coastline of the lake in the eastern part of Erie County. It then runs through the city of Erie itself becoming historic MILLIONAIRE ROW. From there the trail continues to run to the west, turning back into Route 5 joining Route 20. The byway offers rural landscapes of grape vineyards and lush farming, welcoming downtowns and the bustle of urban Erie.
Opened in 2005, the 6-mile BAYFRONT CONNECTOR TRAIL parallels the Bayfront Connector from the east at Penn State Behrend near I-90 to Erie's Bayfront. The Trail meets the Seaway Trail and continues 4 miles west through Frontier Park at West 6th Street linking to PRESQUE ISLE STATE PARK. Enjoy the unique blend of natural beauty and recreation along the 13.5-mile PRESQUE ISLE MULTI PURPOSE TRAIL, perfect for walking, biking and rollerblading. Birding, beaches, fishing and boating are just some of the diversions during your tour. Presque Isle State Park also offers picnic areas, scenic boat tours, various hiking trails and the Presque Isle Lighthouse.
ASBURY WOODS, in Erie County, is a 200-acre tract of wetlands, trails, forests, streams, fields and historic properties. Asbury Woods' trails are divided into two sections, Northern and Southern. The Northern GREENWAY TRAIL is accessible from three points from the nature center, the small picnic shelter on Asbury Road and from the large picnic shelter behind Asbury Barn. The Southern section consists of a mowed trail in an old field and a wooded section overlooking Walnut Creek. Asbury Woods Nature Center is one of the premier environmental centers in northwestern Pennsylvania.
Crawford County
ERNST BIKE TRAIL is approximately 10 miles long, round trip, with access at its midpoint on Mercer Pike. For the Rails-to-Trails project, the trail was constructed on the abandoned bed of the former Bessemer - Lake Erie Railroad. The trail is perfect for biking, walking, running, in-line skating and horseback riding. This former railroad bed runs along French Creek and through marshlands, wildflower meadows and beautiful countryside. The trail runs from the Park Avenue Plaza in Meadville to Route 19. When in Meadville, stop in and visit EMIG'S BICYCLE SHOP.
From Erie County through Harmonsburg, Linesville, and Espyville, all the way to the state line, SCENIC ROUTE 6/ROUTE Y runs approximately 41.7 miles through beautiful Crawford County. While in Linesville, be sure to check out the LINESVILLE BICYCLE SHOP.
BIKE ROUTE A runs 199 miles from Erie to Greene County, just north of Morgantown, WV. The northern half is generally flat while the southern half is gently rolling to hilly. The northern terminus connects to BicyclePA Route Z and the Seaway Trail. Starting in Erie County, take PA 98 to its intersection with US 6/322 and continue south to US 10 to the Mercer County Line.
One mile long and surfaced with very fine gravel which allows wheelchair access, the MULTI USE TRAIL is open to non-motor use only. Parking and a trail head are located near the park office and boat launch. A new extension (0.5 miles) leads westward across the lake's spillway to the dam.
In Saegertown, the paved surface of WOODCOCK DAM is exactly 1 mile long and is one of the more popular sites for walking, running and in-line skating. Parking is found at the park office. This trail is also handicap accessible.
Mercer County
THE MAURICE K. GODDARD STATE PARK offers a 12-mile paved scenic bicycle trail that follows the shoreline of Lake Wilhelm from Boat Launch 4 to the Marina, continuing to Dugan's Run. The trail is open to two-way bicycle traffic, hiking, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.
The 3-mile paved walking and biking GROVE CITY TRAIL takes visitors through beautiful woodlands and the open fields of HUNTER FARM PARK, and along picturesque Wolf Creek.
Allegheny River Region
The ALLEGHENY RIVER TRAIL and the SAMUEL JUSTUS RECREATIONAL TRAIL is 32 miles of flat, smooth, asphalt surface from Oil City to Emlenton. Bordered on the west by the Allegheny River and on the east mostly by woodlands, the 8-foot wide paved surface built on an old railroad grade is parallel to a dirt access road. The trail is complete through the old Quaker State Refinery in Emlenton and ends at the parking lot at the edge of town. There are two railroad tunnels on the Allegheny River Trail. The Kennerdell Tunnel is 15 miles south of Franklin and is 3,350 feet long; the Rockland Tunnel is 21 miles south of Franklin and is 2,868 feet long. The trail is paved through the tunnels and is marked with reflectors at the trail edges and center; bring a light as both are very dark.
The SANDY CREEK TRAIL has 12 miles of asphalt surface, 7 pedestrian-safe bridges and a tunnel. The eastern section of this trail winds 8 miles along East Sandy Creek through some of Pennsylvania's most spectacular hills, valleys, and forests. The trail runs east and west, crossing over the Allegheny River and the Allegheny River Trail 5 miles south of Franklin. The Belmar Bridge is 1,385 feet long with a wooden deck and railings and a great view of the river valley.
The OIL CREEK STATE PARK BICYCLE TRAIL is a scenic 9.7 mile asphalt trail built on a historic railroad grade which runs parallel to Oil Creek through wooded park land. The trail is suitable for users of every level of conditioning. Creek vistas, restrooms and picnic areas are strategically located along the trail. This trail offers a special combination of natural beauty and historical significance. The trail follows the path of development of the oil industry in the 1860's. The story is told by the museum, a replica of the first oil well (Drake Well), walking tours and programs, relics of the early industry and interpretive signs along the trail.
TWO MILE RUN COUNTY PARK MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS are primarily single-track and challenging with 20 miles of trails. If you are unfamiliar with the park be sure to get a map from the park office.
Throughout the beautiful Pennsylvania summer months, many biking events take place in PA's Great Lakes Region:
Crawford
MS 150 Bike Tour - Crawford County - JUNE
Annual Tour of Crawford County - JULY
Annual Tour de Tamarack - Crawford County - SEPTEMBER
Mercer
Pedal the Lakes - Mercer County - SEPTEMBER
Tour de La Mec - Mercer County - SEPTEMBER
Erie
Bike Around the Bay - Presque Isle State Park - MAY
Quad Bike Race - Edinboro - JULY
Tour de County - Fairview - JULY
Wine Country Classic - North East - AUGUST
Grape Harvest Tour - North East - SEPTEMBER
