Walk, Run, & Ride Through Rural NEPA

The O&W Rail-Trail is a 33-mile recreational trail that starts in Simpson and ends at the New York border in Starlight. The trail winds its way through the forests and farmland of Lackawanna, Wayne, and Susquehanna counties.

The trail is named after the New York, Ontario & Western railroad, which was built in the 1880s. The railroad originally transported anthracite coal from Scranton until 1957.

The Rail-Trail Council of NEPA manages the first eight miles from Simpson to Stillwater. This portion of the trail runs along the Lackawanna River and features several bridges that make it easy to create a loop with the nearby D&H Rail-Trail. It is the most accessible part of the trail, and the graded surface makes it ideal for hiking and biking.

The mid-section from Stillwater to Poyntelle is privately owned, and accessibility may be limited. The upper section from Poyntelle to Starlight is owned and regulated by local townships and includes township roads.