Cycling in the Susquehanna River Valley

A Premier Cycling Destination

From easy rail trails and scenic country roads to challenging mountain terrain and miles of gravel, the Susquehanna River Valley offers plenty of ways to see Central Pennsylvania on two wheels. Ride alongside farmland, through forested hills, across historic bridges and into welcoming river towns where a good meal or cold drink is never far away.

Whether you're planning a relaxed afternoon ride or building a full cycling getaway, you'll find routes and resources to help you make the most of your time in the SRV.

Find Your Ride

Rail Trails

Looking for a smooth, scenic ride? The Buffalo Valley Rail Trail stretches 9.3 miles between Lewisburg and Mifflinburg, with additional access in Vicksburg. The mostly level trail features paved and gravel surfaces and is a great option for riders of different ages and abilities.

With trailheads, parking and restrooms along the route, it's easy to make the trail part of a day in the valley. Start your ride in Lewisburg or Mifflinburg, then grab a meal, browse local shops or enjoy a drink in town when you're finished.

The trail is also featured on the Purple Lizard Bald Eagle State Forest Lizard Map, which highlights cycling and other outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the region.

Road Cycling

Quiet country roads, rolling farmland and historic communities make the SRV a rewarding place to ride on pavement.

The Covered Bridges Bike Route offers a scenic road ride through the countryside, passing historic covered bridges and the Sodom School, an octagonal one-room schoolhouse. The route begins and ends at the Susquehanna River Valley Visitor Information Center in Milton.

Download a copy of the Covered Bridge Brochure or stop by our Visitor Information Center and pick up a copy.

Ride Along the Susquehanna Greenway

The Susquehanna Greenway is ready for you to explore! Grab your bike and helmet and enjoy the local scenery on riverside trails and through diverse and authentic River Town communities. The Susquehanna Greenway corridor includes the river itself as well as the parks, trails and communities that line the river’s banks.

Red covered bridge on a leaf-covered road surrounded by autumn trees.

Mountain Biking & Forest Roads

Looking for a more challenging ride? The Susquehanna River Valley's state forests and parks offer miles of mountain bike trails, forest roads and shared-use trails, with terrain ranging from rolling routes to more technical rides.

Bald Eagle State Forest

With approximately 140 miles of forestry roads and 97 miles of bikeable trails, Bald Eagle State Forest offers plenty of options for mountain bikers.

Check out the Bald Eagle State Forest map that highlights routes throughout the forest, including:

McCall Dam and Cowbell Loop, Mifflinburg
Black Gap Figure 8, Mifflinburg
Halfway Dam Epic, Mifflinburg
Middle Little, Middleburg

Weiser State Forest

Weiser State Forest offers a mix of mountain biking opportunities, including trails on former strip mine land east of Natalie. The area features diverse terrain and trails built with riders in mind.

For a more relaxed ride, head to the Roaring Creek Tract, where an approximately 8 mile shared-use trail follows the creek and reservoirs.

Throughout the forest, riders can access 28 miles of marked shared-use trails and 27 miles of state forest roads.

State Parks

Several state parks in the region offer additional opportunities to ride and enjoy the outdoors.

R.B. Winter State Park offers bike trails within its scenic forest setting.
Shikellamy State Park has a 1.5 mile paved path around the marina at Lake Augusta, making it a good option for an easier ride with views of the Susquehanna River.
Milton State Park offers approximately 3.5 miles of trails on an island in the Susquehanna River.

Plan Your Route

Not sure where to start? Use Ride with GPS to find and plan cycling routes throughout the Susquehanna River Valley.

Ride with GPS offers turn-by-turn directions, elevation information, waypoints and route planning tools. You can also download routes, use printable maps and cue sheets or use the mobile app while you're on the road.

SRV Cycling Routes

Farm Country
- A rolling route through the farm roads and open spaces of the Susquehanna River Valley.
East of the River
- Cross the Susquehanna River for a scenic rolling ride that stays below the region's larger hills.

Gravel Cycling

Gravel roads are part of what makes cycling in the Susquehanna River Valley unique. Ride through rolling farmland, forested hills, quiet valleys and small communities on routes that take you well beyond the main roads.

Whether you're looking for a short backroad ride or a full day in the saddle, the SRV has gravel routes for a variety of riding styles and skill levels.

Get the Gravel Adventure Field Guide

Ready to ride? Our Susquehanna River Valley Gravel Adventure Field Guide puts the region's gravel riding at your fingertips. The guide features five distinct gravel riding regions, curated routes and ideas for making a day or weekend of your ride.

Use the guide to find your next route, then pair your ride with local lodging, dining, breweries and other stops along the way.

Ride unPAved

The Susquehanna River Valley is also home to unPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley, a 120-mile gravel ride through forest, mountain, valley and farm roads during peak fall foliage season in October.

Can't make the event? You can ride portions of the unPAved course on your own with these Ride with GPS routes.

unPAved: Proper
- Ride the "Proper 54" on your own.
unPAved: The Difference 50
- Take on one of the hardest sections of unPAved with an easier ride to and from the segment.
unPAved UNsupported
- A century based on the unPAved course with stops where you can refuel.

Plan a Cycling Weekend

Why stop after one ride? The Susquehanna River Valley has lodging options for a weekend getaway, where you can base yourself near your favorite route, spend the day riding and then head into one of our towns for dinner, drinks or a little shopping.

Need a Tune-Up?

Whether you're planning a long-distance ride or heading out for a few miles on the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail, a good bike shop can make all the difference. These local shops can help with repairs, gear, accessories, rentals and advice on area routes.

Brookside Bikes

170 E. Walnut St.
(570) 966-1062

Brookside Bikes is family-owned and -operated and located adjacent to the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail in Mifflinburg. It's the perfect place to start a scenic bike tour of the beautiful Susquehanna River Valley. Since 2009, Brookside Bikes has offered a wide selection of new and…

CycleUp Bike Shop

429 Market St.
(570) 768-0131

CycleUp is the hub of the bicycling scene in Union County with coffee, hot food, gear and community. Stop in for information on area trails and to swap stories and tips with other cycling enthusiasts. Custom bike building services are also available.

Link Cyclery LLC

427 Fairground Rd.
(570) 524-1249

Link Cyclery LLC is a family friendly bike shop that focuses on quality and integrity. With a wide range of bikes in Road, Mountain, Gravel, Hybrid, Children's and E-Bikes, you can find your ride here. Providing bike repairs from flat tires to overhauls, your bike should be fixed…

unPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley

unPAved is a premier gravel bike race through the forests, hills and idyllic farm country of the Susquehanna River Valley. The unPAved courses in Union and Snyder Counties feature great gravel, serious climbs, amazing descents, fantastic foliage, delicious aid stations, and a…