Biking Around State College, PA

Written by Andrew

If you’re looking for exciting and healthy things to do with your family this summer, look no further than your local bike trails. State College and its surrounding areas have numerous biking paths that will lead you to a variety of locations, and enjoyable events for you and your whole family. If you’re the more courageous bike rider, don’t worry, there are lots of mountain bike routes in the area as well.

In case that not everyone has a bike head over to the Bicycle Shop, map, on West College Ave. to rent one from their shop.

Family Bike Outings

If you’re planning a family movie night, but don’t want to be stuck indoors, grab the family and bike to a local park to watch a free outdoor movie.

On Friday, June 17 at Tudek Memorial Park, map, at 8:45 PM, “Raiders of the Lost Arc” will be playing. On Friday, July 22 at Spring Creek Park, map, at 8:45 PM, “My Neighbor Totoro” will be playing. And on Friday, Aug. 5 at Sunset Park, map, at 8:30 PM “Swiss Family Robinson” will be playing.

Also on Fridays grab your bike and ride into downtown State College, for the Famer’s Market. The Farmer’s Market is every Friday until November 18th, beginning at 11:30 am, located at Locust Lane.

Easy Rides

For a low key bike ride, there are many bike path loops that will take you around The Penn State University Campus and the surrounding areas.

The Bellefonte Central Bike Trail, map, runs 1.3 miles, and begins at McKee Street/Clinton Avenue Bike Path off Sunset Park to Toftrees Avenue, directions. The trail follows the former Bellefonte Central Railroad bed for nearly a mile through Penn State University land and The Arboretum.

The Park Hills Bike Path Loop starts on the bike path on North Atherton Street across from Rec Hall. The Park Hills loop is a nice tour of Ferguson and College Township's bike path system. The loop is about 5.3 miles.

Mountain Bike Trails

For the more adventurous type, there are mountain bike trails in the area. Some are a bit more challenging than others, and require experienced riders, so check either The Bicycle shop at http://www.thebicycleshopinc.com/ or The Centre Region Bicycle Coalition at http://www.centrebike.org/index.php for more information.

The Tussey Mountain Loop, is located at Rothrock State Forest in State College, map and directions, and is an 11 mile ride that usually takes around 1 to 2 hours to complete. To get to the trail go 2 miles past Tussey Mt. Ski area and on the left there is a small dirt road called Camp Rd, then go to the end of the road, across the wire and up the single track trail on your right. Stop in the shop and ask for a trail map if you need any help.

Another challenging trail is the Shingletown Loop,directions, located at Shingletown Gap, State College, map. The trail is a loop trail and because there are so many side trails, you can ride anywhere from 7 to 17 miles. To get to the trail, turn onto Mountain Road off of Rt. 45. Park in the lot at the end of the road, and again stop in the shop and get a map, and ask any questions if you need help.

With all of the bike baths in State College and the nearby areas, and where all the paths lead, it will sure make for an entertaining ride.

Websites of Organizations mentioned in this article:

Centre Region Bicycle Coalition- http://www.centrebike.org/index.php

The Bicycle Shop- http://www.thebicycleshopinc.com/