We didn't get far as it was a family affair and some of us walked and some of us rode our bikes but all of us stopped at the creek. It was such a beautiful unexpected trail and creeks make everything better for my kids. read more

Panhandle Trail - The creek! - Hiking Near Me - Carnegie, Pennsylvania

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As of late-Summer 2017, the trail is now paved for 18 of the 29 miles starting at the Washington County Line to the Pennsylvania/West Virginia border. The beginning of the trail in Allegheny County is still a gravel base, as is the West Virginia section, leaving 11 miles unpaved. There is a new bike shop opening up right along the trail in the town of McDonald, in case you need repairs (or some Ice Cream). Still one of my favorite trails in the area (and it intersects with the Montour Trail providing even more options). P.S. Did I mention that Helicon Brewing is conveniently located along the trail in Oakdale if you get thirsty while using the trail? read more

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Great trail for family. Only downside is the lack of parking and sometimes the overcrowding. However, great trail that is easily accessible. There is a creek for kids and dogs that is easily accessible from a red bridge. Plenty of pavilion areas and benches for stopping and hanging out. I bike here with friends and we always go out to Robinson then stop at Helicon in Oakdale (which is conveniently on the trail) on the way back. read more

Panhandle Trail - Trail - Hiking Near Me - Carnegie, Pennsylvania

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The Panhandle Trail is a fun rails to trial that is about 29 miles from Rennerdale to West Virginia. A few sections in Allegheny County that have a few rough spots due to water run off but most is smooth and very easy biking. Most of the trial in Washington County has been paved. If you are interested, check out the website and some of the other reviews for more details. read more

This trail is so nice! It feels very secluded and there are so many trees around it. You can forget that you're so close to the city. The trail is made from small gravel. Its not the most ideal for an easy bike ride, but is so nice to run or walk on! I have taken several friends to the pan handle trail and they've loved it as well! read more

I really enjoy this trail.. When the "feel like" temperature isn't 98 degrees! So being that it was so hot this day, you notice things. So I'm going to start off by saying the negatives. The trail is obviously very long. They provide a portapotty (however you say or spell it) near the main entrance past collier, but I'm not sure I remember one being there in the colder months. There are not water fountains or seating once you really get down the trail (maybe past mile two) unless you get to another main road there may be one, it's a hit or miss. So just be prepared with water. I would also recommend bringing a little lid or something you can have your dog drink out of. They do have dog bowls where the fountain is though. I love this trail, especially during the week days in the afternoon. It is very peaceful and not too busy. You can ride your bike, bring your dog, walk and run. It is not rollerblade friendly though! I noticed little trails you can go on too. I have never been on them so I couldn't say if they are safe for you pets or kids. So like I said before. The trail is meek when it comes to johns and water, so be prepared. The furthest I have gone was about 7 miles down and then back. So the further you go the less people you will encounter. It can get creepy at some points if your alone (I recommend carrying a monkey fist with you if you feel uncomfortable). Also, parking can get pretty tough on weekends or evenings. You can park at the entrance of the trail or a little lot just around the corner from it (at this entrance of course). there are more entrances with parking further down the trail. Good luck! read more

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The Panhandle Trail presently stretches from Rennerdale, PA to Weirton, WV although the Rennerdale trail head has a Carnegie mailing address. Eventually it will go to Stuebenville, OH when completed, a three-state, 34-mile ride will be possible. The Panhandle Trail isn't named because there are a lot of beggars on the path! Although if the economy continues the way it has been, that just might be the case! "Brother, can you spare a quarter so I can work the airhose?" No, it's a rails-to-trails conversion and the Panhandle Trail is named for the former Conrail Railroad Panhandle Line over whose route it traverses. My husband Rick and I are avid trail riders and we did about 50 miles today round trip on the Panhandle Trail. The trail itself is an easy grade although it gets a bit rough in places. Portions of it are paved, but much of it is gravel. I strongly recommend a good mountain bike or trail bike, unless you know you're sticking to the paved portions. It goes through some very pretty rural areas and some scenic small towns too. Along the way you'll notice that many of the locals have created colorful sculptures out of recycled materials and have built homemade bird houses to enhance the trail. Rick and I began our ride right at the eastern trailhead at the corner of Walker's Mill Road and Scott Avenue in Rennerdale/Carnegie, across the street from The Market. There's trail parking available there. A secondary access point in Rennerdale is at Sunnyside Avenue, about two blocks south of the fire department. So if the lot at the trailhead is full, you can try your luck there. One thing we noticed was that a lot of train stations and station sites (from when this was a passenger train line) remain as point of refernces for cyclists. About 1/4 mile into our ride we saw a windmill, which provided aeration for a quarry. About 1 3/4 mile we entered a cut through the rocks and we saw some very intersting formations on both sides of the trail. Just beyond that we saw a mile marker left over from the railroad. It's milepost 13 because it was 13 train miles from Pittsburgh. Between Gregg Station and Oakdale Station, we traversed a double arch stone bridge over a river. If you need to make a pit stop, Sturgeon is the place to do it. There are permanent restrooms, vending machines, and a water fountain here. I'm told that just outside Sturgeon, goats frequent the trail. The trail is paved between Sturgeon and Montour, but it's kind of rough. One of the scenic highpoints between Sturgeon and Primrose is the Montour Bridge. This carried the Montour RR across the Conrail RR and it's now where the Montour Trail goes across the Panhandle Trail. Rick and I rode the Montour Trail last year and the bridge across the Panhandle Trail is an absolutlely spectacular ride! A one mile trail connects the two. Between Bulger and Burgettstown, the trail gets really rough. You have to ride with caution for about a 2.5 mile stretch because the trail is really rutted in places. Plus it can get very muddy in through here after a storm. The next town is Burgettstown. If you are going any further, be advised. There are no services between Burgettstown and the end of the trail at Collier, which is a distance of about 12 miles. So if you need food or fluids be sure to stop at the IGA here http://www.yelp.com/biz/petrucci-market-iga-burgettstown#hrid:VzKJJ0_mD_QnUQAU3XbtLA/src:self because it's your last chance! From Burgettstown to the State Line, the path travels through some scenic rock cuts, over some streams, and through some short tunnels under the roads. At MP 17.47, there's a bench--the Beer Bench because it supposedly smells like beer! Hmmm! Rick and I wrapped things up at MP 24.67, the state line. A marker leftover from the railroad days marks the border here. It is marked for the P.C.C. & St.L. RR. I have no idea what that stands for (Pittsburgh, Columbus, Cincinnati, & St. Louis?). Conrail was the last rail company to run trains here and Rick says that line was most famously known as the Pennsylvania RR. This is a fantastic ride and you should really take your time and enjoy it. Once again, here are Susan's bike tips: 1) Wear a helmet. Yes girls, we get helmet hair from it--deal with it. 2) When doing a long ride such as this, ride with someone. 3) Bring a chain tool, tire repair kit, & mini pump. It's easy to learn how to do quick repairs. Remember, few things can spoil a ride like a breakdown. Ain't much fun walking your bike several miles! 4) Be sure to bring plenty of water, snacks such as dried fruit, nuts, etc, and a cell phone. 5) Make sure your bike is in tip-top mechanical condition. read more

Great place for a run or bike ride. The scenery is nice and the trail is not as crowded as the Montour Trail