I am biking from Minnesota to New Jersey, and am trying to figure out the best route across Pennsylvania. Is the Allegheny Passage the best way to go even if there is a route on Google Maps that is 100 miles shorter?
Any tips on how to get from Williamsport/Hagerstown back up to routes in Harrisburg? Google has sent me on quite a few goose hunts, so I'd like to prevent any in the mountains.
Any suggestions on an East to West route through PA?
Seg, 2013-06-17 22:39
#1
Unregistered
Any suggestions on an East to West route through PA?
Pennsylvania doesn't go east-west. ;) That's one thing that makes the GAP trail so magical -- you're maintaining a steady elevation with all the wild undulations all around. But, unless you want to go down to DC and take the greenway north, and take a whole lot more time and distance, I don't think it can help you. I think the ACA route north of this path would be my choice. When you get to NYS, take New York's bike route 17 east. Many bike aficionados sneer at this humble route, mostly along old state roads, but it has its charms and gets the job done. You could veer off along the Upper Delaware to Port Jervis and be in NJ.
Andrejs
I do NOT qualify as a long-distance biker. I may therefore not fully comprehend the difficulty of the following However I drive Boston to Chicago once or twice a year. When I can, I enjoy U.S. Rt. 6 across northern Pennsylvania. When westbound, I catch it at Clark’s Summit, near Scranton. There are some great views of the Susquehanna River as far as Towanda. From there on, I like passing through small towns and beautiful rolling country. At Smethport I leave U.S. 6 to catch Rt. 59. Just before Warren is a large reservoir which has camping at a National Forest campground called Dewdrop (situated on the west side of the reservoir just a few miles south of Rt. 59). In the summer it is great for an under-the-radar night swim. In the morning the place earns its name from a mist when the air is cooler than the water, resulting in a magical swimming experience. Look for the walk-in campsites nearer the water.
There is also a beautiful north-south rail trail (Pine Creek) just west of Wellsboro; part of it is called The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvnia.
Any suggestions on an East to West route through PA?
Posted: 17 Jun 2013 08:39 PM PDT
I am biking from Minnesota to New Jersey, and am trying to figure out the best route across Pennsylvania. Is the Allegheny Passage the best way to go even if there is a route on Google Maps that is 100 miles shorter?
Any tips on how to get from Williamsport/Hagerstown back up to routes in Harrisburg? Google has sent me on quite a few goose hunts, so I'd like to prevent any in the mountains.
You might want to check out the PA Bicycle Route system. I used Bicycle route V last year to cross the entire state from Ohio to NJ. It is a well marked route with downloadable maps.
Rick Cathers
Planning to ride from Ohio to NJ this spring. Would love to chat with you about your experience.
Also looking for a downloadable GPS file for this route in order to view an elevation profile.
I am 72 years old and my buddy that will be biking with me is 76. Last year we crossed the state from New York to Maryland using Route G. Thanks for your reply
Darold,
Sure, give me a call this weekend at 609-558-3700. I don't use GPS so I can't help you there.
Rick Cathers
RE: Williamsport to Harrisburg. I just did the reverse via route 11 the entire way and it was fine. Somewhat busy but decent shoulder. The only uncomfortable part was the last 10 miles to Williamsport, which in your case will be the first 10 miles. It was winding farm back roads with no shoulder and they were 40-55 mph.
...i dont know how you like to bicycle tour...are you camping?...self contained?...do you like mountains?...for me, if i choose to avoid mountains, which isnt always the case, and coming from the west and heading to nj, i would take the great allegheny passage, c&o canal then depending on weather and any other number of variables, i would make my way to nj either from Dc or start heading north and east from hanncock md or williamsport or point of rocks... into harrisburg then 322 east or 441 south and east...i recently hosted a tourist who came from nyc, dont know his exact route but he came from womelsdorf near reading pa, thru middletown on 441 then 230 into harrisburg...on his way to indiana...maybe your paths will cross..or have already..or not..i am planning to fly as a passenger, myself, my bicycle and gear somewhere to the west coast and bicycle home to harrisburg and because of my familiarity of the route, will keep this option open ... the great allegheny passage, c&o canal, point of rocks, fredrick, gettysburg ..not sure how i'll feel when i get thru ohio...may want to stay north thru pa over the mountains and thru the woods then down the susquehanna river to harrisburg...havent crossed northern pa by bicycle yet, as far as harrisburg to altoona, and thats still not north...give me a call, glad to host you if your coming thru..give me enough heads up and i may ride along to nj, or some of the way...stay somewhere, then head back the next day...
I just wanted to thank everyone for their suggestions and let you all know that I made it. Pittsburgh was a bit rough as I missed a few turns and ended up in a mess of traffic and anxiety! I took the PA A Route to the PA S Route and found sweet relief on the GAP--no hills, no traffic, and lots of campsites. I camped all the way down the GAP and couldn't resist taking the C&O trail into DC, no better finale than a pic in front of the White House. It was quite a learning experience and a comfort to know that Warm Showers was always looking out for me.
You are all amazing, thank you.
Ride on,
Nicole
Congratulations Nicole, I think you made the right choice especially if you wanted to avoid a few mountains. I've bicycled route 30 in the past and know how difficult it can be. The best of luck to you in the future.