Panhandle Trail: Rennerdale to Sturgeon

The Panhandle Trail runs from Walker's Mill Station (Collier Twp.) to Joffree. One trail map shows a planned trail beyond Joffre connecting the first half of the trail to the second half, but by now it might be complete. If so, the whole length of the trail takes nearly a straight shot into Burgettstown for a total of 29 miles.

I started at Rennerdale, a small, quiet town near Robinson. There are two points of entry at Rennerdale; I always take the one off of Noblestown at the crook of a tight bend.

For most of the distance the trail is about 8 ft. wide--plenty of room for two riders to pass each other without either having to move to the shoulder. It's a smooth ride on crushed limestone except at road crossings where it gets a bit bumpy. Right before Oakdale it's evident that this was once a train route: there's plenty of gravel and cinders to me wish I'd bought a bike with shocks.

But the fact that the Panhandle trail was laid on former railroad property means the ride is flat--the whole way, actually. Makes sense because the steeper the hill, the less weight a train on this line could have carried. According to a map at the Sturgeon Station, between any two rest areas the % grade maxes out at just 1%. The incline is hardly enough to detect until the ride seems suddenly easy on the way back to the car.

Besides the trail map, Sturgeon has a few other assets for bicyclists. There are permanent men's and women's restrooms, a water fountain, drink machines, and a pavillion. There's even a deli/pizza shop where you can stop for ice cream, probably a favorite a spot for the many parents and kids I passed.


It's the middle of September and this trail fits perfectly into an Indian summer day. The leaves are just starting to change, and goldenrod grows among tall grasses and new sycamore trees. Small yellow butterflies flitter about, sometimes difficult to distinguish from the few falling leaves that have already loosened from their branches.

I like this ride because it's a straight shot, the scenery is nice, and the former railroad towns along the way have character and charm. I imagine living there, where life is quiet and the only thing between me and a relaxing bike ride is a patch of tall grass.

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TRAIL RATINGS

Traffic Density: 4.25 people/mile

Direction: west

Trail Composition: 95% crushed limestone, 5% gravel/cinders

Scenery: 3.5

Grade: 1% max

Bathroom Frequency: 3

Bathroom Cleanliness: 3

Bike Rental Available: no

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