Every Day is a Good Day to Ride
Between the warm weather and our awesome trails and parks, we’re rekindling our love for cycling. NEPA offers everything from casual family rides to rugged mountain trails. Th local rail trails are perfect for cruising along and enjoying the scenery. Usually flat and smooth with a gentle grade, they’re a fun option for families and beginners. Or, if you’re up for more of an adventure, NEPA is home to single track mountain biking trails plus an awesome BMX scene.
Dust off your bike and get back on two wheels this spring. Check out our list of popular biking destinations to find a trail or park to ride.
The Back Mountain Trail extends from Shavertown to Luzerne, following a forested ridge above Memorial Highway. It consists of two short sections, so it’s perfect for a peaceful afternoon ride.
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The Bloomsburg Rail Trail is an easy, beginner-friendly ride along Fishing Creek. This out-and-back trail is about six miles round-trip.
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The D&H Rail-Trail is a 38-mile trail that stretches from Carbondale to the New York state border. You’ll pass plenty of rural scenery and historic sites along the way.
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The trails at Gardner Spencer Preserve flow through beautiful meadows and cool hemlock groves at this nature preserve in Dalton. The trail system connects to the Ziegler Preserve and Lackawanna State Park—all the better for exploring!
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Take a short drive from the city and escape into nature at Greater Hazleton Rails to Trails in Hazle Township. The main segment is four miles long, so it’s a fun and easy trip for the whole family.
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This historic, multi-use trail extends across Luzerne, Lackawanna, Susquehanna and Wayne counties. The Scranton section of the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail is an accessible, beginner-friendly route just minutes from downtown.
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Located in the Abingtons, Lackawanna State Park has 15 miles of trails that are open to biking. The trail systems extend beyond the park and onto several nearby nature preserves.
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The Lehigh Gorge Trail is a 26-mile rail trail that extends from White Haven to Jim Thorpe. Between the amazing scenery and the easy grade, this ride is a must-see for all ages and skill levels.
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Take a leisurely ride along the Luzerne County Levee Trail, a smooth, paved pathway along the Susquehanna riverbank. It consists of four different sections throughout the Greater Wilkes-Barre area.
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The McDade Recreational Trail will take you on a sightseeing tour of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The trail is 31 miles total, but the convenient trailheads make it easy to break it into shorter sections.
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Explore the eight-mile trail through the forest and along the lakeshore at Merli-Sarnoski Park. This community park near Carbondale is perfect for cross-country mountain bikers.
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Located within Pinchot State Forest, Moon Lake is a popular destination for NEPA mountain bikers, and it’s easy to see why. Located near Hunlock Creek, it offers tons of cool single track trails that wind through the forest.
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This 12.5-mile rail trail follows the Susquehanna River from the Susquehanna Riverlands in Berwick to Canal Park in Nanticoke. The smooth grade and easily accessible trailheads make the Susquehanna Warrior Trail a great option for all ages.
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At 2.8-miles, The Trolley Trail in Clarks Summit is fun for all ages and skill levels. The boardwalks and smooth gravel pathways make for a relaxing ride.
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Vosburg Neck State Park in Tunkhannock is home to flowy single track trails. Sharpen your mountain biking skills as you explore the woods and meadows.
Learn MoreTune Up Before You Head Out
Get your bike ready to go with some easy, at-home maintenance.
Even if you ride regularly, you should always give your bike a safety check. Cyclist Phil Cable from the NEPA Velo Cycling Club gave us some tips for simple maintenance you can do at home:
- Pump up the tires to the recommended pressure.
- Squeeze and release the brakes to make sure they’re returning properly.
- Spin the wheels to make sure they’re not bent or rubbing anything.
- Put a little oil on the chain, then wipe it down to make it clean.
- Hold the front wheel between your legs and try to turn the handlebars. They might move with some force, but they shouldn’t move too easily.
- Adjust your seat so you have a slight bend in your leg at the full extension.
After a winter in storage, your bike likely needs a little TLC. Call on your local bike shop for a safety check or basic tune-up before you hit the trails.
Local Bike Shops
Great minds ride a bike. Connect with other local cyclists and find cool rides and races all over NEPA. Check out groups like the NEPA Velo Cycling Club.
Article Updated from its Original Version Published on 5/11/2020.
