Blog at Bear Creek

Best Mountain Biking Trails in Pennsylvania

Attention all riders! Whether you’re new to the area or just looking to shred up some of the best mountain biking Pennsylvania has to offer, we have compiled a list of the top favorite places our team loves to shred. From state forests and county parks, to mountain resorts and bike parks, every beginner or expert can find a new niche in their mountain biking repertoire. 
 
From fun and flowy, to chain-shaking gnar, there is a trail for every type of rider out there. Whether you are a beginner or pro racer, our list of best places to shred includes a diverse compilation of trails that a variety of riders can enjoy.
 
Grab your gear and pack the car because you are going to want to hit up these best mountain biking trails in Pennsylvania this summer.
 
Listed in no particular order are our favorite PA trails:
 
 

Trexler Nature Preserve

Schnecksville, PA

 
Starting off the list is Trexler Nature Preserve. It is a top favorite because of its super fun trails and, of course, the stunning views from the top of the ridge. Trexler consists of cross-country single track with lots of flow, berms, switch backs, and everything in between. The trails are also well maintained by a group of outdoor enthusiasts.
 
Trexler has gained popularity over the past two years, so this is definitely a ‘must-ride’ this summer.
 
If you’re planning your next ride at Trexler Nature Preserve, park at the North Range lot.
 
Editor’s Tip: Did you know that the preserve is made up of more than just bike trails? Check out the Lehigh Valley Zoo, sightsee some bison, or hike the border trail and watch a sunset from the lookout.

South Mountain Preserve

Emmaus, PA

 
Next up is multi-purpose South Mountain. Ride here and chances are you will meet a local Emmaus shredder, pass a few dog-loving hikers, or see someone bouldering.
 
The bike trails consist of intermediate to advance single track with some double track power line connector trails. The favorite trail of some of the Bear Creek team members is ‘Bug.’
 
If you’re planning your next ride at South Mountain, parking is easily accessible from Boroline Park.
 
Editor’s Tip: South Mountain is close to in-town Emmaus. Just a few more pedal strokes will land you at some awesome post-ride spots: Armetta’s for delicious pizza, Funk or Yergey’s to crack a cold one and enjoy eats from a local food truck.

Bear Creek Mountain Resort

Macungie, PA

 
We would be remiss if we didn’t mention our own backyard. For Bear Creek employees, the trails on our turf are important to us. As fellow mountain bikers, we ride our own trails daily and we welcome all to come out and experience them.
 
Our trails consist of rugged singletrack and doubletracks with plenty of rocks and a few bridges. All trails are cross-country oriented and maintained by our professional staff. We do not offer lift service or “downhill” trails.
 
The trails service beginner to advance riders and are free for hotel guests and Season Pass Holders. Day guests must purchase a trail pass for $15. The trail pass allows usage of the trails for the entire year.
 
If you’re new to mountain biking, bike rentals are also available at an additional cost: $30 per person (2-hours).
 
If you’re a seasoned rider, challenge yourself at one of our many bike races hosted throughout the summer months.
 
If you’re planning your next ride at Bear Creek to do some PA mountain biking, the trail head is located right off of parking lot 1D.
 
Editor’s Tip: Bear Creek has two on-site restaurants for post-ride eats, plus a hotel for a weekend mountain bike trip.  

Mount Penn Preserve

Reading, PA

 
Heading East you will find yourself in the depths of Berks County. Mount Penn is known for many things, and we think their mountain biking trails makes the list. Home to previous Duryea Downhill race, these trails are rated intermediate to advance and attract riders from all over the state.
 
Aside from the challenging single-track terrain, there is nothing better than a trail system that has a great spot for a quick snack attack. After a hill climb, refuel while you overlook the city of Reading from atop the mountain.
 
If you want to explore more trails in Berks County, visit BAMBA.
 
Editor’s Tip: Sightseeing …

Wissahickon Valley Park

Flourtown, PA

 

Heading down toward the city of brotherly love, this city park ranks high on our list.
 
With trails maintained by the city’s parks & recreation team, this single-track system is shared with fellow bikers, hikers, and the occasional equestrian. Because of its versatility, these trails are great for beginners to experts.
 
This park is big and has various parking lots, but all of them access the trail system. So pick one and hit the trails! Wissahickon Valley Park does require a trail permit for those using the natural surface trails.
 
Editor’s Tip: Seek out the historic Valley Green Inn along Forbidden Drive for some grub.

Green Lane Park

Green Lane, PA

Green Lane is another park maintained by the county’s parks & recreation team, but volunteers also share their time, pitching in to put these trails on every rider’s top 10 list.
 
Here you will find shared single and double track trails that are perfect for newbies as well as the die-hards. Among the Bear Creek staff, the orange loop is a clear winner; as well as any trail with views that overlook the beautiful reservoir.
 
All parking lots access the trail system at Green Lane.
 
Editor’s Tip: This park offers a bunch of outdoor activities aside from mountain biking. They also host events and concerts in the park.

French Creek State Park

Elverson, PA

Addressing all those chasing the gnar: if you haven’t done so already, it’s time to hit up French Creek State Park. With 20 miles of single track, this large system of technical trails is for intermediate to expert riders.
 
Race are held here every summer, so train hard and sign up for that next race.
 
The various parking lots access the trail system at French Creek State Park.
 
Editor’s Tip: Visit the famous Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site on your day off. This park also offers other outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, and fishing.

Nockamixon State Park

Quakertown, PA

The Nockamixon trail system was a genius design. The stacked loop trails are a unanimous favorite feature amongst the Bear Creek team for multiple reasons.
  • They make for easy route planning if it’s your first time riding here.
  • It also makes for a great practice session if you’re working on perfecting a specific section. 
  • It’s also just plain fun to rip around and around a certain section of belly-giggling berms.
These trails service beginner to intermediate riders. The trail system covers about 10 miles of single-track with trailheads off of Tower and South Park roads, as well as PA 563.
 
If you’re planning your next ride at Nockamixon, park at Haycock boat launch or Tower Road for easy access to trails.
 
Editor’s Tip: Other recreational activities such as hiking, boat rentals, paddle boarding, picnic area, cabin rentals, fishing and hunting are available.

Jordan Parkway

Fullerton, PA

This Allentown city park is great for first timers on mountain bikes but can be enjoyed by intermediate riders just the same.
 
The trails are very beginner friendly when learning how to ride various mountain biking terrain. There is lots of variation – flow trails, fun downhill sections, moderate climbing, and technical sections. The double-track trail that spans the entire park is mostly used by hikers, disc golfers, and bikers who are accessing the single-track trails.
 
Jordan Parkway’s main entrance is located off Lehnert Rd, but parking at the Scherersville athletic fields is fine, too. 
 
Editor’s Tip: This is a hotspot for disc golfers. With a stellar 6,000+ ft course, it was home to the World Disc Golf Tournament! Other recreational activities such as tennis, baseball, and multi-use sport fields are available.

Blue Marsh

Leesport, PA

The mountain biking trails at Blue Marsh take up a big portion of the 36+ miles of trails surrounding the lake, which makes it a spot you can revisit over and over without getting bored.
 
The trails service intermediate to expert riders and are mostly single track. The dam may have been man-made, but the views are nothing less than spectacular.
 
Editor’s Tip: The ‘lake’ was constructed by the US army corps of engineers for flood control in the 70’s, but now has turned into a recreational haven for outdoor enthusiasts.

Allegrippis Trails at Raystown Lake

Hesston, PA

 

Adding yet another trail system surrounding a lake to our list; the Allegirippis is huge with 36 miles of single track rated for beginner to expert.
 
This large trail system was also a genius design. The stacked loop trails are a unanimous favorite feature amongst the Bear Creek team for multiple reasons.
  • They make for easy route planning if it’s your first time riding here.
  • It also makes for a great practice session if you’re working on perfecting a specific section. 
  • It’s also just plain fun to rip around and around a certain section of belly-giggling berms.
If you’re looking for a stellar trail, Hydra is favorite amongst Bear Creek employees.
 
Editor’s Tip: The Allegrippis Trails at Raystown Lake was home of the now-defunct ‘Dirt Fest’ put on by Dirt Rag Magazine.

Blue Mountain Bike Park

Palmerton, PA

Adding some variety to the list is a bike park. Make that PA’s largest downhill bike park.
 
This bike park services downhill trails only, which are accessed by chair lift access. (No pedaling uphill!)
 
Although it might sound daunting, this park has beginner to expert downhill trails (green to black diamond). Plus, the trails are well maintained for maximum safety and fun by constantly upgrading and adding new features.
 
All guests must pay to play at Blue Mountain’s Bike Park. A bike park season pass is $379 and comes with perks, or day tickets start at $39.
 
The bike park is only accessible by parking in the lower lot, but feel free to drive your car up to the upper lot for some post-ride grub at Slopeside Pub & Grill.
 
Blue Mountain also hosts a variety of races throughout the season of shredding.
 
Editor’s Tip: Don’t forget, downhill bikes are different from cross-country bikes, so if you want to give this park a shot, don’t sweat it, bike rentals along with all necessary protection gear is available!

Spring Mountain Bike Park

Spring Mountain, PA

Another favorite, albeit unofficial, bike park is Spring Mountain. The former “Launch” bike park is still making headlines long after its closure. Local riders love this spot so much, the trails are not only stellar, but they also continue to host Tuesday night races.
 
How do you access trails at an unofficial bike park? Riders can climb the access road to the top and take your pick between many downhill trails.
 
Spring Mountain is rated intermediate to expert and consists of mostly downhill trails.
 
If you’re planning your next ride at Spring Mountain, park in the lower lot.
 
Editor’s Tip: Feeling lucky? One of the downhill trails is rated a double black diamond!

Rocky Ridge County Park

York, PA

Maintained by York County parks & recreation as well as YAMBA, this mountain bike haven lives up to its name. Don’t believe us? Try it for yourself.
 
It’s tailored to intermediate and advance riders, but there are some beginner-friendly trails.
 
Editor’s Tip: YAMBA, the second largest IMBA affiliated club in all of PA, also helps maintain these trails. If you live close to York, PA, check out this group of riders. They do some pretty good work.

Michaux State Forest

Fayetteville, PA

Last but certainly not least is the chain-shaking gnar that is known as Michaux State Forest.
 
Although the trails service all types of riders, the ‘most difficult’ trails will give even advanced riders a run for their money.
 
With 37 miles or riding, there are plenty of trails to call your favorite.
 
Editor’s Tip: Class 1 e-bikes are allowed.