Pine Creek Trail Named Pennsylvania's Best
Pennsylvania's Pine Creek Rail Trail earned the state's 2026 "Trail of the Year" designation. The 62-mile route winds through Pine Creek Gorge, known as "The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania," and accommodates hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders. Officials highlighted ongoing improvements including new signage and rest areas, with increased visitor traffic expected from both local and out-of-state adventurers.
- The trail follows the path of a former railroad line that was instrumental in the region's 19th-century lumber and coal industries; the last train ran in 1988, with the first section of the trail opening to the public in 1996. - The crushed limestone surface of the trail has a gentle 2% grade, making it suitable for a variety of users. It follows a corridor first used by the Iroquois Nation. - An economic impact analysis has shown that the trail attracts over 44,000 visitors annually, contributing more than $5 million to the local economy. A 2006 study found that day-use visitors spent an average of $30 per day, while those staying overnight spent an average of $69 per night. - In October 2025, a 3.2-mile extension known as the Marsh Creek Greenway was completed, connecting the trail's northern end directly to downtown Wellsboro. This project was identified as a priority in the Pennsylvania Trail Network Strategic Plan and was supported by $3.5 million from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and $2.5 million from PennDOT. - The "Trail of the Year" designation is awarded by the Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee to build support for trails and raise public awareness of the state's more than 14,000 miles of trails. - The trail is a major asset for several regional tourism initiatives, including the Pennsylvania Wilds, the Route 6 Heritage Corridor, and the Lumber Heritage Region. - In 2001, USA Today named the Pine Creek Rail Trail one of the "10 great places to take a bike tour" in the world. - The trail is managed and maintained by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
