Start in a railroad tunnel on this PA hike that offers views of Penn’s Creek
When you’re surrounded by hundreds of thousands of acres of picturesque State Forest, as we are in central PA — Rothrock, Bald Eagle, Sproul, Moshannon — it’s impossible to narrow down any single location as the most beautiful. This week, ClearWater Conservancy’s Centred Outdoors program will host free guided outings in an area that just might take the blue ribbon for both its natural beauty and historical significance.
Used by the Lewisburg and Tyrone Railroad beginning around 1880, the Poe Paddy Railroad Tunnel found new life as part of the Mid State Trail in the mid-20th century, and later as a preserved bat habitat. Recent work on the tunnel made the passageway safer for pedestrians by lining the creviced walls with corrugated steel, while preserving the space above the passageway with bat-approved entrances on either end.
Throughout the week of Aug. 27, Centred Outdoors guides, along with naturalist Kylie Orndorf from Poe Paddy and members of Penns Creek Trout Unlimited, will lead informative group walks at the Poe Paddy State Park as part of its summer 2023 series of outings and wellness activities. Walks, approximately 1.25 miles and 90-minutes in length, will take place on Sunday, Aug. 27 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.; and Thursday, Aug. 31 at 9 and 11 a.m. There is no cost to attend, and prior registration is not required.
Everyone who attends an event will begin their adventure with a walk through the 250-foot-long Paddy Mountain Railroad Tunnel, leading out to the Mid State Trail. Surrounding the trail, participants can take in views of Penn’s Creek and diverse plants and tree populations. Attendees may wish to pack a picnic and plan to stay in the area for a longer day of enjoying the peaceful scenery and even taking a dip at the nearby public swimming area at Poe Valley State Park.
The drive to Poe Paddy Tunnel includes long stretches of gravel forest roads, and cell service can be limited. Bringing a map and noting or printing directions to the location before leaving home is recommended. Event participants will want to follow directions for Poe Paddy State Park, pass through the park’s main camping areas, and continue to the Poe Paddy Tunnel Parking Area on Tunnel Spur Road to arrive at their destination. Centred Outdoors signage will be posted along the way. Location details and directions can be found on the Centred Outdoors website.
Additionally, Centred Outdoors will offer limited, free shuttle transportation service to the guided walk on Aug. 31 at 11 a.m. Reservations can be made on Centred Outdoors’ Transportation Page (www.centredoutdoors.org/transportation).
Additional information about upcoming guided summer outings and activities can be found on the Centred Outdoors’ Events Page.