Excellent birding can be found along the trail.  Birdwatching is best done while walking or skiing. The slower pace of walking is easier than cycling when birding. When cycling, it is best to stop and bird watch for a while before continuing to the next location. Bird watching is easiest at off times when there is less cycle traffic on the trail. Pine Creek Rail Trail receives heavy cycle traffic on holiday weekends in the spring and fall. The last week of September through the third week of October is an especially busy season on the trail and in the nearby town of Wellsboro. 

When walking, always be aware of cyclists. Stay to the side of the trail so that cyclists have room to pass. Look both ways before crossing the trail. Do not count on cyclists to announce their approach; look for them. Trail condition and the type of bike may make it very hard to hear an approaching cyclist. Some cyclists will not announce their approach from behind at all. Others will not speak until they are just off your shoulder.  

Pine Creek Rail Trail (PCRT) is currently a sixty two mile trail extending from the Northern Terminus at Stokesdale, just northwest of Wellsboro, PA, to the southern terminus at Jersey Shore PA. The PCRT follows the path of railroad tracks that were last operated by Conrail. As part of the Rails to Trails movement, the tracks were removed and the corridor converted to a trail. Pine Creek Rail Trail passes through private farm land in the Marsh Creek valley before entering the Pine Creek Gorge and paralleling Pine Creek. PCRT exits the Pine Creek Gorge and continues to parallel Pine Creek until reaching the southern terminus in Jersey Shore. The trail parallels PA Route 414 after leaving Blackwell. When PA Route 414 ends north of Waterville, the PCRT parallels PA Route 44. The southern portion of the trail once again passes through areas of rural private land. PCRT is being extended from the current northern terminus in Stokesdale into the Wellsboro. Work on this portion the trail and associated facilities is ongoing. 

An online search will produce numerous links for the Pine Creek Rail Trail. The citations and links listed here are only a few of them. The Pine Creek Rail Trail Facebook group is a good source of first person information about the trail. Official notifications and closure information from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) are shared here also. Joining the Pine Creek Rail Trail Facebook group requires answering a few questions. The Pine Creek Rail Trail Guidebook was written by Wellsboro author Linda Stage after she found herself wondering where she could stop to visit the toilet. The guide book contains much practical information about the trail, including access areas and parking, camping options, and yes even where to find bathrooms. 

PCRT is primarily a cycling trail. Local residents find the trail a pleasant place to take a short walk and/or walk their dogs. In season, PCRT is also a popular cross country ski trail. DCNR uses grooming equipment to set ski tracks on the trail. 

Dogs are allowed on a trail but are required to be on a six foot leash. If you are birding with a canine companion, be particularly aware of the activities of both your pet and other cyclists. Resist the temptation to let your pet wander across the trail even when trail traffic is light.  A long lead stretched across the trail could lead to a horrific cycling accident.  A long lead is also against PCRT rules. 

Hunting may occur in the areas that the trail passes through. For safety, wear an orange hat during hunting season. If you are traveling on the trail during the statewide rifle deer season, add an orange vest.  

Pine Creek Rail Trail is the trail. There are numerous trails in the Pine Creek Gorge and the State Forrest that may connect to this one. The best approach is to check the map and State Forrest web sites to learn about these trails.