The Susquehanna Riverwalk

The riverwalk trail in Williamsport is one of my favorite places to bike.  It's a wide, paved, path, with several gentle hills, and many great options for parking and visiting restaurants, or picnicking along the riverbank.

Molly loves to go along for our bike rides - she rides in a basket on the front of my bike.

The actual riverwalk loop is 4 miles long - although there are parking areas and connecting paths that can make this a much longer ride.  

A Few Parking Options:

• Park at Greevey Boat launch, start on the Reighhard trail and it will connect to the riverwalk if you take the split to the left, or the split to the right will take you right to the strip - a great option if you want to stop at Brusters for ice cream, or Five Guys for hamburgs.  Approximate GPS Coords 41.245222, -76.963573
• Park at Riverfront park.  Riverfront park is a great little park with one of my favorite walking trails, located just a half mile or so before Greevey Boat Launch. Approximate gps coords 41°14'41.9"N 76°57'32.1"W
• Park on the strip near Five Guys & Qdoba.  The bike path is right to the left of the parking area.  Follow it under the underpass, then take the split to the right to get on the riverwalk.  To the left will take you to Greevy Boat Launch. Approximate GPS coords - 41°14'55.9"N 76°58'23.1"W
• Park at Riverwalk Parking, near Hepburn Street.  Approximate gps coords - 41.235552, -77.005399
• Park At Indian Park.  The bike path at Indian park will take you past Riverfront Park, past greevy boat launch, and connect with the riverwalk, making a beautiful 14 mile loop that is one of my favorite bike rides.

"The Susquehanna River Walk – first envisioned in 2000 – became a reality in Fall of 2009 when it was opened to the public. The Lycoming County Board of Commissioners and Planning Commission developed the Susquehanna River Walk, an approximately four-mile paved bikeway/walkway along the levee system which protects the City of Williamsport, the Borough of South Williamsport, and Loyalsock Township. The Timber Trail is the name given to the three-mile loop of the Susquehanna River Walk located between the Maynard Street Bridge and the Market Street Bridge running along the southern boundary of Williamsport and the northern boundary of South Williamsport Borough." https://www.lyco.org/Portals/1/PlanningCommunityDevelopment/Documents/EDPS_PDFs/Hazard/riverwalk_about.pdf

The riverwalk loop is 4 miles, but there are so many connecting options that it is easy to make this a much longer trip.

Local artists Pam Barner constructed this historically accurate six foot bronze statue of a "woodhick" - the Pennsylvania timber region colloquial term for a lumberjack.

There are a variety of historical markers, educational signs, and this statue, along the riverwalk.  There are also many benches where you can stop and watch the river.  

The trail is wide enough that even when there are walkers and other bikers, there is plenty of room to pass.  On a sunny Sunday afternoon you will see people sitting on benches, walking, kids riding scooters, families pushing strollers, and even roller skaters here.  Even when it is fairly crowded, this still is a nice ride.  A bell can be helpful to let walkers know you are approaching, but most seem to just holler "passing on your left" as a warning.

You'll see many fishermen near the dam area, and often you can see heron or cormorants perched on logs in the river.  I often see them from the south williamsport side of the riverwalk.  On the south williamsport side, there is a wide grassy field between the trail and the river, making a great spot for picnics.

One of the many educational signs along the trail.

Maps:

• Montoursville Bikeway Map (By Wal-Mart & Indian Park)
• Updated Map with the South Williamsport Extension

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