I shot this reflective image showing some rocky cliffs along the Panhandle Trail yesterday, a fantastic rails-to-trails project winding through Northwest Pennsylvania ending up in a little slice of West Virginia!
The Panhandle Trail stretches 29 miles, primarily located in Northern Washington County, Pennsylvania, connecting Oakdale (Allegheny County) to Colliers, West Virginia. It follows the route of the historic “Panhandle Route,” a significant railroad line once crucial for merging railroads and later leased by the Pennsylvania Railroad. Today, that legacy has been beautifully transformed into a haven for both cyclists, runners, and walkers.
The Panhandle Trail is a key player in the Industrial Heartland Trails Coalition, a collaboration aiming to build a massive 1,500-mile trail network across Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and New York.
The trail offers a diverse riding experience. You’ll begin on crushed limestone, transitioning to paved asphalt as you enter Washington County. Prepare for a climb to Midway, the trail’s highest point, where you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views. However, reaching Midway requires some effort. The final stretch into West Virginia returns to crushed limestone.
What really sets the Panhandle Trail apart is its connectivity. It seamlessly links to the Montour Trail (59+miles), which in turn connects to the Great Allegheny Passage (150 miles) and the C&O Canal Towpath (184.5 miles). That means, with a little planning, you could potentially cycle all the way to Washington, D.C. – an incredible off-road adventure!
“That means, with a little planning, you could potentially cycle all the way to Washington, D.C. – an incredible off-road adventure!”
That would be an incredible journey! Thanks for the picture and information!
I know, right? Isn’t that crazy? Talk about an adventure! LOL
Enjoy your day, Braden!
You, too!! 🤗
Will do!