Many of the best family rides in Pennsylvania are old railroad beds that have been converted into viable biking/multi-use trails. These trails are distinct because they are relatively flat and travel through some of the most beautiful scenery in the state.

The Rails to Trails Project is an excellent example of how reuse and improvement of existing construction can lead to useful and aesthetically beneficial community improvements. By converting abandoned railroad beds into walking, biking, and hiking trails, apparently useless landscape is transformed into a recreational and environmentally beneficial resource. This mindset of reuse rather than waste will continue to become important as more and more land space is used, requiring new and viable areas to be at a premium.

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Located in Armstrong and Clarion counties, the Armstrong Trail runs along the Allegheny River for 52 miles. Though the surface of this trail is mixed dirt and gravel, the trail bed itself is a relatively flat and pleasant ride. The length of this trail, one of the longest Rails to Trails in western Pennsylvania, provides an opportunity for the more ambitious rider.

The Armstrong Trail has many trail heads and parking areas along the trail, which make for easy access to a number of different sections of the trail.

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Located in Butler and Armstrong counties, the Butler Freeport Community Trail is nearly 12 miles long with 9 more miles currently under construction. The section from Sarver to Cabot is completely finished and receives a moderate amount of use. This trail is very scenic and runs along a beautiful stream and through some scenic woodlands.

Current construction on the section from Cabot to Herman has been delayed due to landowner conflicts. Though Rails to Trails has been extremely successful, unfortunately land disputes sometimes still occur.

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Ernst Bike Trail, constructed in cooperation with Rails to Trails and the Ernst Conservation Seed Company, is located in Crawford County near Meadville. This 5 mile trail was created when the Ernst family decided to generously donate the resource to the local community. Running primarily through woodlands, this trail has a gravel surface, and is easily accessible from Interstate 79. In the future, the Ernst Bike Trail will be connected to the proposed French Creek Greenway, greatly enhancing the use and length of this network of trails.

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Kelletville to Nebraska Trace is a 12.2 mile trail running through the beautiful scenery of Forest County. The trail surface is primarily grass and dirt, and it begins in Kelletville campground. This is an excellent trail for one-way travel, or challenge yourself with a 24-mile round trip.

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About 3 miles in length with a grass and cinder mixed surface, the Pymatuning Trail makes up for its short length with scenic views of Pymatuning State Park and its easy accessibility. Enjoy a short ride on this trail and then take a swim or hike around the area, or partake in a number of other popular activities in the Pymatuning area.

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Located in Warren County, the 4.5 mile long Tidioute RecTrek Trail is a little different from other bike trails in northwest Pennsylvania. The surface of the Tidioute trail is a mix of dirt and grass, and the trail itself is a little more natural in appearance than other bike trails. Whereas many trails have been paved and made to look like a bike trail, the Tidioute RecTrek trail retains much of the original wilderness of the forest.

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There are a number of trails available for the family interested in biking in northwest Pennsylvania, and several of these options provide blacktop/paved surfaces. Others are hardpacked, fine-grained gravel or a mix of small gravel and dirt. Though these trails are usually well-kept and very smooth, they can't be used for rollerblading or wheelchairs, and the feel of the bike on this surface is a little softer.

For those that prefer a completely smooth ride and don't mind dodging crowds of multi-use individuals, these paved trails are perfect. In addition to the smooth surface of the trail, these trails are often conveniently situated in state parks which provide their own facilities as well as other activities in addition to bike riding. These are perfect opportunities to include a bike ride, a hike, and even a swim. So pack up that picnic, load up the bikes, and hit some of the nicest rides in northwest Pennsylvania.

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Moraine State Park offers much to the outdoor enthusiast, but one of the more popular attractions is the paved bike trail that runs along the north shore of Lake Arthur. The Moraine Bike Trail is 7 miles long one way (14 miles round trip), beginning at a bicycle rental concession building and ending at the Marina Restaurant. Bicycle rentals for the whole family are available weekends in April, May, September, and October; and daily from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. This scenic trail provides many different views of the lake as it weaves through forests and open meadows. Unlike many of the other trails, Moraine Bike Trail is built on rolling hills and includes many small climbs and short downhills.

Moraine State Park, created over a previous mining area, is an example of reclamation of an environmentally destroyed area. Near the end of the paved trail, there is also a mountain bike trail.

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Beginning at the Drake Oil Well Museum in Titusville, and meandering through Venango County to Petroleum Centre near Oil City, the Oil Creek Trail is 9.7 miles of paved surface. The facilities of the Oil Creek State Park also make it convenient for multi-use enthusiasts. Recognized as a Rail to Trail conversion, the Oil Creek and Samuel Justus trails are unique in that they are paved with asphalt (unlike many of the Rails to Trails listed above).

Running parallel to Oil Creek, Oil Creek Recreation Trail provides an opportunity for recreation and education with its many historical markers. This trail follows the development of the oil industry in the 1860's through tours, interpretive signs, and the Drake Well Museum. If you are looking for a little more than a ride through Pennsylvania's woodlands, and the birth of the oil industry interests you, the Oil Creek Trail is the perfect combination.

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Presque Isle State Park, located near Erie PA, is the perfect beach front get away without actually traveling to the ocean. A peninsula extending into Lake Erie (one of the five great lakes), Presque Isle accommodates thousands of visitors each year. One attractive aspect of Presque Isle is the paved 5.8 mile Multi-Purpose National Recreational Trail that is built along the bayside shore and can be used for biking, walking, rollingblading, and is wheelchair accessible.

One problem that continues to change Presque Isle is its constant erosion by Lake Erie. Though break walls have been constructed, nature's natural pattern is to erode and redistribute the land that has created this isle. Through geologic research and planning, the natural pattern has been slowed but the park continues to change.

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In close proximity to the Oil Creek Trail, the Samuel Justus Trail is located in Venango County and consists of 5.8 miles of asphalt surfaced trail along the Allegheny River. Bicycles, as well as rollerblades and canoes, can be rented at the Franklin trailhead. Continuing through oil country, the Samuel Justus Trail passes by the estate of the late Senator Joseph C. Sibley, who developed the first formula for refining crude oil.

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Stavich Bike Trail is a 12 mile bike trail with trailheads in Struthers, Ohio and New Castle, Pennsylvania. This asphalt paved trail is constructed adjacent to the railroad tracks and the Mahoning River. Stavich Bike Trail travels primarily through the agricultural landscape of northwest PA, and is just the right length for a daylong excursion.

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The French Creek Greenway is a proposed "...corridor of protected open space managed for conservation and recreation purposes." This Greenway will be a recreational trail linking the city of Meadville with West Mead and Vernon Townships. Proposed by the French Creek Project, the French Creek Greenway will promote education, alternative transportation, nature tourism, and a much needed recreational trail for area residents.

Like many other recreational trails in northwest Pennsylvania, the French Creek Greenway will eventually become a landmark of Meadville and a tribute to French Creek, one of the most biologically diverse streams in the state. For the Greening Plan to become reality, a great deal of volunteer work and outside funding will be necessary.

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This paved bicycle trail follows the shoreline from Boat Launch 4 to the Marina, and continues to Dugan’s Run. It can be accessed from Launch 4, Marina, Launch 2, Launch 1, Dam and Dugan’s Run. The trail is open to two-way bicycle traffic, hiking, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.There are six miles of mountain biking trail on the north shore of the lake. By riding Creek Road on the south shore, bikers can make a 12.5-mile loop.

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