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Pine Creek Rail Trail is a trail that runs through Pine Creek Gorge aka the "Grand Canyon of PA."


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Map Key

64.3

Miles

103.5

KM

Doubletrack

1,169' 356 m

High

558' 170 m

Low

451' 137 m

Up

1,022' 312 m

Down

0%

Avg Grade (0°)

4%

Max Grade (2°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

Features Commonly Bikepacked · Views

ADA Accessible Easy grade, smooth surface, frequent parking lots, well-placed ADA restrooms (some being permanent structures).

Family Friendly Educational signage, campgrounds, safety gates at crossings, well-maintained surface, regular patrols by PA DCNR, well-spaced restrooms (often stone, which makes a handy shelter in thunderstorms).

A permit is required to camp along the trail.

Need to Know

Observe details of PA laws on electric bikes. Cell phone service is spotty in Pine Creek Gorge.

Description

The Pine Creek Rail Trail is a trail that runs through Pine Creek Gorge aka the "Grand Canyon of PA." The region certainly lives up to its name, as Pine Creek has carved steep slopes from the Pennsylvania landscape over millennia. Today, the gorge is a beautiful and scenic locale.

A long logging history once stripped this beautiful area of the ancient hardwood and pine forests that had thrived for centuries, though more recent protections from the National Parks Service and the Pennsylvania State Forest Service have made a great impact on the damage of the area. Today, 100 year old trees and a variety of local fauna have returned to the gorge, providing for scenic company to any taking the rail trail. The recovery of the area is a testament to the resiliency of our natural world.

The trail itself is well maintained, and is composed of crushed limestone. One of the reasons for the high quality of its surface is that the trail does double duty as a major corridor in the PennDOT Bicycle Route system.

While most visitors use one of two main trailheads, there are many access points on this trail, making it easy to plan an outing of almost any distance. For those seeking a longer outing, there are many places to camp along the trail and the scenery is amazing. You won't be disappointed by taking this great trail!

Shared By:

Jeffrey Go with improvements by Allen Kerkeslager

Trail Ratings

  3.8 from 5 votes

#1

in Stokesdale

#14842

Overall
  3.8 from 5 votes
5 Star
40%
4 Star
40%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
20%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Stokesdale

#471

in Pennsylvania

#14,842

Overall
3 Views Last Month
2,179 Since Jun 4, 2016
Easy Easy

80%
0%
20%
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Photos

Nice fall view of Pine Creek from the crossover bridge on the Pine Creek rail trail.
Jan 7, 2020 near Wellsboro, PA
Pine Creek rail trail.
Jan 7, 2020 near Wellsboro, PA
Crushed stone surface of the Pine Creek Trail, maintained at a high standard of quality by the PA DCNR.
Mar 18, 2020 near Avis, PA
View westward from trailhead for Pine Creek Trail (Marsh Creek Greenway extension) at Rt. 287 near Wellsboro, the northern gateway to the Pine Creek Gorge, a.k.a. the "Grand Canyon of PA."
Mar 18, 2020 near Wellsboro, PA
Slate Run, PA:  Great food, general store, fly fishing, kayak launch, & bike-friendly lodging by trailhead of Black Forest Trail, which offers a rugged hike to hilltops. Bears & other wildlife often visit the hamlet.
Mar 18, 2020 near Renovo, PA
Hoffman Campground maintained by PA DCNR, one of the campgrounds along the Pine Creek Trail that make this trail ideal for bikepacking.
Mar 16, 2020 near Wellsboro, PA

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Jun 24, 2017
Ross Davidson
Pine Creek Double (Jersey Shore to Wellsboro back to Jersey Shore) 123.5mi
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