Panhandle Trail: Midway to Burgettstown

Last time I rode the Panhandle Trail I ended my ride at Midway, disappointed that I'd have to save the what lied beyond the picturesque hills for another time. But that other time was today.

I discovered I can use my Garmin to monitor my speed, distance, and elevation. What a surprise! (My husband mocks me for this, but I really am excited I can use it this way.) I brought it along for the ride.

It was a beautiful fall day after a week of rain and cold weather. In just two weeks the landscape had brightened--saturated, even--and there were already more leaves on the ground.

The trail started off a slight incline of 1.4%, parting two hillsides. After that, more hillside and a smooth ride downhill (less than .3%).

This ride was much quieter than previous portions of the Panhandle Trail--I only passed 7 people the whole way out. It was so quiet, in fact, that a praying mantis felt totally comfortable spending the afternoon smackdab in the middle of the path. I snapped a few photos before he dragged his long body into the brush, safe from an approaching cyclist (I hope).

After passing through Bulger I picked up speed. It wasn't because I had eaten a big breakfast, but because the trail had begun a gentle descent.

This portion of the rail trail feels more small-town with each passing train stop. Backyards have tractors instead of trampolines and at times bare hillsides roll up and over the treeline. The feeling continues until passing over Rt. 18 into Burgettstown.

There I made a stopoff and explored what was nearby: a bank, a gas station, a small flea market auction house (still no room for a vanity mirror), a hardware store, and a landscape supply business. If I were taking a longer trip, this would have been the perfect place to take a break for an hour.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

TRAIL RATINGS

Distance: 5.3 miles

Direction: west

Grade: .3% downhill overall

Traffic Density: 1.3 people/mile
Trail Composition: 99% crushed limestone, 1% sand

Scenery: 3.75

Bathrooms: 3, all outhouses

Bathroom Quality: 1 - no hand sanitizer

Bike Rental Available: none

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Points to note: This segment of the Panhandle Trail is definitely less family-friendly because there are no benches or water fountains. It's a little more remote.

The Panhandle Trail: Sturgeon to Midway

After riding west from Rennerdale to Sturgeon, I figured I'd try to make it a little further to Joffree. I wanted to see if the trail connecter I mentioned in my previous post was finished. If so the entire length of this Pittsburgh bike trail would total 29 miles.

This time again I began at Rennerdale, but since I've already rated that portion of the trail, I'll only review Sturgeon to Midway.

This ride feels significantly less uphill than Rennerdale to Sturgeon, although it's just as straight. I estimate it's around 8 miles between the Sturgeon and Midway trail stations, but I can't say for sure without an odometer.

As for smoothness, this portion is a little lacking. It starts out as smooth crushed limestone, but just before crossing through McDonald the path turns into cinders and gravel; unfortunately that trail surface lasts nearly one uncomfortable mile. (Like I said before I opted for a fitness bike without shocks.)

Despite the rough ride, McDonald could be a quaint diversion; I thought about stopping off there to see if there were any antique shops (I'm on a quest for as many vanity trays as I can find), but I decided to keep riding. It looks like there are some shops to explore and streets to walk if you need a break; the first one on the left in this photo is a consignment store. There's also the McDonald Trail Station, offering historical information. Learn more about it here.

Just as the bike trail transitions back to crushed limestone on its perpetual straightaway west, it runs under the McDonald Trestle. Despite its strength and size, it's just a footbridge for the Montour Trail which crosses here. Further along there's an interchange you can use to get on the Montour Trail and take in the view from above.

Eventually the landscape changes. Cattails replace goldenrod and the trail opens up a bit. The towns are growing quieter. In Midway a church steeple points to the sky. The trail takes the high road above the streets and I can see this town seems the smallest yet. There are fewer other riders on the trail, as if the remoteness suggests a certain seriousness or dedication. There were so few, even, that I even passed a pheasant in the brush.

When I saw this vista, hillsides cleaved by Pittsburgh's Panhandle Trail, I knew I'd gone a long way today. I didn't make it to Joffree, and I won't know what's ahead until next time.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
TRAIL RATINGS
Distance: approx. 4-5 miles
Direction: west
Traffic Density: 3.33 people/mile
Trail Composition: 90% crushed limestone, 10% cinders/gravel
Scenery: 3.75
Bathroom Frequency: 1
Bathroom Quality: n/a
Bike Rental Available: None
- - - - - - - - - - - -

Overall Assessment: It's difficult to assess this length of trail. For me, less desirable riding conditions are counterbalanced by the peacefullness of the ride around Midway. It might be difficult to ride with children because there are fewer bathrooms and fountains. In fact, I could tell only the more serious cyclists were on this part of the trail. For a quick, out-and-back ride I recommend Rennerdale to Sturgeon.

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.

- - - - - - - - - -

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

- - - - - - - - - -

Biking Beginnings

I'll admit it-- I'm new to biking.

If you are, too, or you just want to find some good bike trails in and around Western PA, I write for you.

We're the not-so-serious ones whose afternoon rides fall comfortably between coasting through the neighborhood and taking 2-day journeys into West Virginia and back. (I said comfortably.)

But we still need to know where the good trails are. That's why I'll ride 'em, rate 'em, then write about 'em.

Enjoy!