Pine Creek Trail (Wellsboro Extension)
The Pine Creek Trail (Wellsboro Extension) in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania is an easy 2.8-mile out-and-back trail that connects Wellsboro center to Hilboldt Road as of 2024 and will eventually connect to the Stokesdale trailhead in 2025.Walking the Wellsboro Extension
This short walk begins at the old train station in Wellsboro center, located along the north side of Charleston Road. Please note that as of October 19, 2024, the trailhead is still under construction and thus the parking lot is not open to the public yet. You'll find the trailhead located near the old train station along with a universally-accessible trailhead located along Tioga Street which crosses the Charleston Street Connector Bridge.From the Wellsboro trailhead, the Pine Creek Trail leads northwest as it follows an old railroad bed, passing through shale bedrock cliffs before reaching several bridge crossings that span Marsh Creek. The trail follows a flat gravel substrate which changes to concrete along each bridge crossing. At the Marsh Creek bridges are views of the water as it flows out toward Pine Creek below your feet and provides scenic views along the trail, especially during autumn when the surrounding forest is full of colorful foliage.
The trail eventually passes an old-growth eastern white pine stand, located near mile 0.9 with at least three large old growth trees sitting on a hill to the west of the trail. Beyond the old-growth stand, the trail passes private residences as it runs adjacent to Marsh Creek before reaching Hilboldt Road around mile 2.4. As of October 19, 2024 the trail ends here as the connection to Stokesdale is still under construction -- slated to be completed in 2025.
The walk back to parking heads uphill for most of the walk, but follows a very easy grade back into town. Along the way back you can enjoy views of Marsh Creek once more before wrapping up the 2.8-mile walk at the trailhead.
