When my two using companions, Yamaha Joe and Pathfinder Wealthy, stated we must always hit the street for just a few days, I urged north-central Pennsylvania as a result of the world affords fantastic using and surroundings properly away from the hustle and bustle of huge cities.
Our motorbike journey took us to Wellsboro within the coronary heart of the Pennsylvania Wilds area, which encompasses over 2 million acres of state forestland and mountains, 29 state parks, and two federal parks together with historic cities, verdant farmland, and bucolic rivers and lakes. However most significantly, the PA Wilds space has lots of of miles of gorgeous roads to discover.
Scan QR codes above or click on Day 1, Day 2or Day 3 to view routes on REVER
For us, the trip is as necessary because the vacation spot, and Pennsylvania affords a lot to expertise. We met in Lackawaxen, residence of Roebling’s Delaware Aqueduct, constructed within the 1840s to hold the Delaware and Hudson canal above the Delaware River. The famed twentieth century journey author (and dentist!) Zane Gray’s former house is close by and preserved as a museum.
The Roebling aqueduct is now a bridge that carries autos and pedestrians throughout the river, and we took it to the scenic and serpentine New York Route 97, which parallels the Delaware River for over 70 miles. At Cochecton, we crossed again into Pennsylvania, rolling west on State Route 371 beneath a blue sky dotted with puffy clouds. We plunged deep into northeastern Pennsylvania’s Infinite Mountains area, a part of the Allegheny Plateau of the Appalachians.
At Herrick Heart, we turned north on State Route 171 and stopped to eat lunch in Union Dale at Arlo’s Nation Retailer & Tavern, named in honor of people singer Arlo Guthrie of “Alice’s Restaurant” fame and son of America’s Mud Bowl troubadour Woody Guthrie. Arlo’s has no matter you want: gasoline, groceries, a full tavern menu, lodging, and reside music on Fridays and Saturdays. It’s a cushty spot that tempted us to remain, however we saddled up and continued west on Fiddle Lake Highway.
We adopted State Routes 92 and 492, hopped on U.S. Route 11 briefly close to New Milford, after which sailed southwest on State Route 706 like we had been on a inexperienced sea of rolling hills. The luxurious farmland and forest had been invigorating, the air clear and pure.
At Camptown, we picked up State Route 409 for just a few miles after which turned north on U.S. Route 6 – recognized domestically as PA Route 6 – close to the Susquehanna River. We stopped on the Marie Antoinette Overlook, which has spectacular views of the river, mountains, and the French Azilum, a deliberate settlement inbuilt 1793 for refugees fleeing the French Revolution. Legend has it that Marie Antoinette deliberate to settle right here, however she misplaced her head earlier than the shifting van arrived.
We continued west on PA Route 6, crossing the Susquehanna at Towanda, having fun with a leisurely cruise on the scenic two-lane street by means of the countryside, and passing by means of small cities corresponding to Burlington, Troy, Sylvania, and Mansfield earlier than arriving in Wellsboro.
Based in 1806, Wellsboro has a nineteenth century really feel. Residence to lower than 3,500 residents, the small city has a walkable essential avenue with gas-lit streetlamps, charming structure, and independently owned household shops, motels, and eating places. In 2024, it was voted because the second most enchanting small city within the Northeast by readers of USA In the present day’s 10Best.
Rolling into city, we dropped our kickstands on the clear, comfy, motorcycle-friendly Sherwood Motel (see Lodging Highlight beneath). Whereas I relaxed within the pool, my buddies visited a neighborhood pub for a libation or two. Later, we dined at The Steak Home, an old-school restaurant and lounge with wonderful meals and pleasant employees that has been serving prospects since 1957. Once we informed them we had been from New Jersey, they’d the chef come out to satisfy us. He’s a Jersey man too and grew up in the identical city as Wealthy. Small world!
See all of Rider’s Pennsylvania motorbike rides right here.
The following morning, rested and refreshed, we fired up our bikes and hit the street early. Our brief, serpentine cruise on State Route 660 to Leonard Harrison State Park handed by means of farmland and glided by a shiny purple church. The park sits on the east rim of Pine Creek Gorge, also called the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, which is 47 miles lengthy, as much as 1,450 ft deep, and practically a mile throughout. Along with the epic views, the park affords mountain climbing, fishing, and tenting.
After viewing the canyon, we backtracked a bit and turned west on Pinecreek Highway (SR-660), having fun with the mellow rumble of our machines and absorbing the nice and cozy rays of the morning solar and the nice surroundings. We continued west on U.S. 6, following Pine Creek as we rode deeper into the PA Wilds.
At Gaines, we headed north on Lengthy Run Highway (State Route 349); at Westfield, we turned west once more on State Route 49. Pennsylvania’s huge cities – Philadelphia within the east, Pittsburgh within the west – get all the eye, however the huge central a part of the state is full of the Appalachian Mountains and interspersed with rolling farmland and small villages. The realm is pristine, uncrowded, and unhurried.
At Coudersport, we rode southeast just a few miles on U.S. 6 as we continued our loop exploring the PA Wilds west of Wellsboro. At Sweden Valley, we veered south on State Route 44. We stopped at Longtoe Vista for a pleasant view after which at Patterson State Park for a quick respite in a shaded picnic shelter. The park is the trailhead for the 85-mile Susquehannock Path that’s in style with backpackers.
Persevering with our journey, we handed by means of Cherry Spring State Park, which was Pennsylvania’s first Darkish Sky Park and affords a few of the greatest stargazing within the japanese U.S. The forest engulfed us as we rode south on SR-44, which parallels Little Kettle Creek. At Kettle Creek Lodge & Cabins, we maintained our southern course on State Route 144. We had been deep in Susquehannock State Forest, and there have been two extra fantastic state parks on our record.
Subsequent was Ole Bull State Park, named in honor of Ole Borneman Bull, a well-known Norwegian violinist who bought 120,000 acres of land in 1852 and based a colony named New Norway. The colony in the end failed, largely because of the difficulties of clearing the world’s dense forest, and the Norwegians migrated west into Minnesota and the Dakotas. There’s a statue of Ole Bull within the park, which affords tenting, picnicking, fishing, swimming, and mountain climbing. When you’re a motorbike camper, this could be a best choice to remain.
The place SR-144 turns east at Tamarack Highway, we continued south on Kettle Creek Highway to Kettle Creek State Park, which is nestled deep inside a mountainous valley and has a 167-acre lake. The park is peaceable and restorative, and it affords a full vary of leisure alternatives.
Kettle Creek Highway ends at Renovo Highway (State Route 120), the place we turned east and rode with the West Department of the Susquehanna River on our proper aspect as we handed by means of cities like Shintown, Renovo, Farwell, North Bend, and Hyner.
A left activate Hyner Run Highway took us to one of many “25 must-see Pennsylvania state parks.” Surrounded by the 305,450-acre Sproul State Forest, Hyner View State Park has considered one of grandest views within the area. A difficult 5-mile trip to the summit overlook rewarded us with a sweeping panorama of mountains, valleys, and the river. The overlook’s rock wall was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps within the Nineteen Thirties. Gracing the summit is a bronze statue honoring the younger males of the CCC and a memorial to the area’s fireplace wardens.
After having fun with the summit, we returned to Hyner Run/Mountain Highway, rode east to SR-44, and continued going east. At State Route 414 we turned north and rode alongside the winding course of Pine Creek. At Morris, we picked up State Route 287 and returned to Wellsboro, the place we had an amazing dinner at The Roost, a pub with a full bar, a variety of beers, and an eclectic menu.
The morning of our third day, we checked out of the Sherwood and headed south on SR-287 to SR-414, the place we headed east in direction of residence. SR-414 is considered one of Pennsylvania’s nice motorcycling roads, touring although lush farmland, previous nation church buildings, and thru small cities. U.S. Route 220 took us again to Towanda, and U.S. 6. took us many of the means residence.
Three mates, three days, and lots of of miles of nice using by means of a wonderful a part of the nation that has a wealthy historical past but nonetheless feels undiscovered. It was the proper getaway. There’s extra to discover and roads we’re desperate to trip once more, so we’ll be again quickly to the PA Wilds.
See all of Rider’s touring tales right here
LODGING SPOTLIGHT: Sherwood Motel
The Sherwood Motel and its sibling Canyon Motel supply clear, comfy, inexpensive, and motorcycle-friendly lodging in Wellsboro. The Sherwood has 42 rooms (nonsmoking solely, no pets) and an outside pool. The Canyon has 44 rooms (smoking and nonsmoking choices, no pets) and a indoor heated pool. Facilities embrace free web, microwaves, mini fridges, cable TV, and complimentary espresso. Each motels are inside strolling distance of eating places and purchasing, and their administration goes above and past to accommodate single or group riders. For charges, reservations, and extra, go to the Sherwood Motel web site or Canyon Motel web site.
Pennsylvania Wilds Bike Trip
Kenneth W. Dahse is a author and photographer from northern New Jersey and an everyday contributor to Rider. Ken has been using since he was a youngster, and his favourite rides are relaxed multiday excursions.
