PA Hiking/Biking Trails

Riding Penn’s Creek Path in the Bald Eagle State Forest

Collage of four photos showcasing scenes along the Penn’s Creek Path in Bald Eagle State Forest, including an orange bicycle near the Penn’s Creek Wild Area sign, inside the curved Poe Paddy Tunnel, overlooking Penn’s Creek with a forested hill in the distance, and a cyclist in an orange jacket riding through a tunnel of golden autumn foliage.

Riding the Penn’s Creek Path in the Bald Eagle State Forest is an experience that blends history, scenery, and solitude in equal measure.

An orange bicycle with a black basket rests on a leaf-covered gravel trail surrounded by golden autumn foliage along the Penn’s Creek Path in Bald Eagle State Forest, with sunlight filtering through the trees and rocky hillsides lining the path.

This 2.7-mile rail trail follows the former Lewisburg and Tyrone Railroad line, tracing a route once used to haul lumber through the rugged ridges of central Pennsylvania.

An orange bicycle with a black basket rests on a leaf-strewn trail in front of the eastern entrance of the Poe Paddy Tunnel along the Penn’s Creek Path in Bald Eagle State Forest, with rocky cliffs and colorful autumn foliage surrounding the tunnel portal.

Today, it serves as a peaceful, multi-use path for cyclists and hikers traveling through hardwood forests that straddle the Centre and Mifflin County line.

An orange bicycle with a black basket stands in front of a rocky hillside covered with golden autumn trees along the Penn’s Creek Path in Bald Eagle State Forest, under a bright blue sky.

Directions to Penn’s Creek Path

There are parking areas located at either end of Penn’s Creek Path, on the western end along Tunnel Spur Road (GPS coordinates 40.83732, -77.40927), and at the eastern end along Cherry Run Road (GPS coordinates 40.84652, -77.36234).

You can also park at Poe Paddy State Park (a 1/2 mile west of the western trailhead) and ride your bike along Tunnel Spur Road to the trailhead (which is what I do.)

A red pickup truck with a bicycle in the bed is parked at a gravel lot near Poe Paddy State Park, surrounded by colorful autumn trees and forested hills along the Penn’s Creek Path in Bald Eagle State Forest.

What You’ll See Along Penn’s Creek Path

Since I live in Centre County, I generally start from the western terminus of the trail, closest to Poe Paddy State Park, therefore my description of the trail will start from the western end.

An orange bicycle with a black basket is parked beside a wooden trail sign at the western terminus of the Penn’s Creek Path in Bald Eagle State Forest, surrounded by autumn trees and golden foliage under a clear blue sky.

The trail begins along Tunnel Spur Road, where a gravel path leads to one of the route’s signature highlights – a beautifully restored wooden bridge spanning Penn’s Creek.

An orange bicycle with a black basket is parked at the entrance to a wooden bridge crossing Penn’s Creek along the Penn’s Creek Path in Bald Eagle State Forest, surrounded by colorful autumn foliage and forested hills under a partly cloudy sky.

The bridge offers outstanding views of the waterway below, reflecting the forested hillsides and autumn colors that make this area so picturesque.

View of Penn’s Creek flowing through a forested valley in Bald Eagle State Forest, with autumn-colored trees lining the banks and a forested mountain rising in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Crossing it feels like gliding through a living postcard, with the gentle sound of flowing water below.

A wooden pedestrian bridge with green railings spans Penn’s Creek along the Penn’s Creek Path in Bald Eagle State Forest, surrounded by colorful autumn trees and blue skies as two cyclists cross in the distance.

A short distance ahead lies the Poe Paddy Tunnel, a nearly 300-foot-long passage blasted through West Paddy Mountain in the 19th century and restored in 2015 for trail use.

An orange bicycle with a black basket sits on a leaf-covered gravel trail leading to the west entrance of the Poe Paddy Tunnel along the Penn’s Creek Path in Bald Eagle State Forest, surrounded by rhododendrons and tall trees on a crisp autumn day.

This curved tunnel remains one of the most distinctive features of the trail, with its corrugated metal walls, cool interior, and a gentle bend that keeps the far end hidden until you’re halfway through.

An orange bicycle with a black basket is parked inside the curved, metal-lined Poe Paddy Tunnel along the Penn’s Creek Path in Bald Eagle State Forest, illuminated by faint light filtering from the tunnel’s distant openings.

Riders are wise to bring a light, as the middle section can be quite dark, adding a small thrill to an otherwise tranquil ride.

An orange bicycle with a black basket stands inside the curved Poe Paddy Tunnel along the Penn’s Creek Path in Bald Eagle State Forest, with light streaming in from the far entrance and illuminating the tunnel’s ribbed metal walls.

Above the tunnel’s east entrance, a grated bat gate allows hibernating bats to enter safely during the winter months, a reminder of how this route serves both people and wildlife.

Close-up view of the eastern entrance to the Poe Paddy Tunnel along the Penn’s Creek Path in Bald Eagle State Forest, showing the stone archway, curved tunnel interior, and a small grated bat entrance above the main passage.

Emerging from the tunnel, the trail continues through the 6,000-acre Penn’s Creek Wild Area, surrounded by towering trees and rocky hillsides that echo with the sounds of nature.

An orange bicycle with a black basket rests on a gravel trail blanketed with fallen leaves along the Penn’s Creek Path in Bald Eagle State Forest, surrounded by golden autumn foliage and evergreens under a bright blue sky.

Along the way, several vantage points offer glimpses of Penn’s Creek winding below, a perfect place to pause and appreciate the quiet beauty of the forest.

A calm stretch of Penn’s Creek reflects the surrounding autumn trees and blue sky near the Penn’s Creek Path in Bald Eagle State Forest, with smooth rocks lining the shore and forested hills visible in the distance.

This out-and-back ride generally takes less than an hour to complete, even if you stop to snap a few photos along the way.

A rocky forested hillside covered with slender hardwood trees displaying golden autumn leaves along the Penn’s Creek Path in Bald Eagle State Forest, with sunlight streaming through the canopy and scattered shadows on the ground.

You won’t encounter towns or amenities along the route, but restrooms and drinking water can be found at the Poe Paddy State Park campgrounds near the western end of the trail.

An orange bicycle is parked beside a wooden signboard at the eastern terminus of the Penn’s Creek Path in Bald Eagle State Forest, surrounded by autumn foliage and sunlight filtering through the trees.

Final Thoughts

In the end, the Penn’s Creek Path offers a perfect blend of scenic charm and historical intrigue in the heart of Bald Eagle State Forest.

An orange bicycle is parked beside a wooden sign marking the entrance to the Penn’s Creek Wild Area in Bald Eagle State Forest, with colorful autumn foliage and a bridge over Penn’s Creek visible in the background.

It’s an ideal spot for a relatively short ride that’s rich in both wild landscapes and impressive man-made features.

A cyclist wearing an orange jacket and blue cap pauses on a gravel trail covered in autumn leaves along the Penn’s Creek Path in Bald Eagle State Forest, surrounded by golden foliage and sunlight filtering through the trees.

Nearby Attractions

Poe Paddy State Park is a 23 acre recreational area, located just a half-mile from the western trailhead of the Penn’s Creek Path.

Collage of four photos from Poe Paddy State Park in Centre County, featuring colorful fall reflections along Penns Creek, a wooded campsite with a camper and truck, the park entrance sign surrounded by tall trees, and a rocky creekside view framed by golden autumn foliage beneath a blue sky.

Poe Valley State Park is a 620-acre recreation area in Centre County centered around 25-acre Poe Lake.

Collage of four photos showcasing Poe Valley State Park in Centre County, including colorful fall reflections on Poe Lake with canoes in the foreground, a sandy beach filled with summer visitors, the rustic lakeside lodge surrounded by forest, and a quiet shoreline view framed by autumn foliage and blue skies.

37 Must-See Attractions in Centre County is your guide to even more exceptional destinations near the Penn’s Creek Path.

The best things to see and do in Centre County PA.

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