BACK MOUNTAIN TRAIL:

LUZERNE-SHAVERTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA

-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-

Last Updated:       February 13, 2024

Length:                 Back Mountain Trail; 4.5 miles

Difficulty:             Moderate. Hard packed stone-dust & gravel rail trail. Slight uphill climb from Luzerne to Shavertown.

Directions:     

To Start from the Parry Street Trailhead in Luzerne [Southern End]; From I-81 take exit 170 to the N Cross Valley Expressway (Route 309). Travel 4 miles and take exit 6 to Union St and head right. At your second traffic light turn right on Main St and cross the river. Take your first left on Parry St. Just up the road on your right is the Knights of Columbus where you can park. The trailhead is a bit further up Parry Rd.

The Back Mountain Trail was originally built in the 1880's by Albert Lewis, a local entrepreneur who delivered ice from the Mountain Springs Lake in the Endless Mountains to urban markets. He sold his successful rail line to the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company who expanded the service to include lumber, leather goods and anthracite coal. The The Back Mountain Trail travels North from Luzerne to Shavertown. For more information visit; BACK MOUNTAIN TRAIL .

Starting from Parry Street Trailhead in Luzerne [Southern End]; A Map Board is located here. This stone-dust & gravel rail trail travels North along a ridge through the woods with Toby Creek and Route 309 paralleling down along your left. Mile Markers are located every 1/4 mile. After passing by a water tower you'll cross over a small stream that cascades down the ridge at 0.8 miles as the trail briefly turns South. Trail opens up at a mile as it edges closer to Route 309. You reenter woodland at 1.6 miles. Still an occasional RR tie in the trail, as well as, some washouts. You encounter a set of stairs at 2.3 miles where the trail leaves the rail bed. You'll need to negotiate your way down these stairs to Carverton Rd. A BIKE RAIL helps with this effort. Map Board located here. Travel past the Fire Dept. out to Carverton Rd. CAUTION; NO CROSS-WALK. Head left across Toby Creek out to Route 309, then right up alongside Route 309. Green Back Mt signs along the route. Turn right at Harris Hill Rd and cross back over the creek. To your right is Hellers Grove parking area (small pullout for a few cars). Left, North,  returns you to the rail trail at about 2.6 miles. Map Board located here. This wooded crushed gravel section travels just above the creek. A sharp turn leads to a short steep hill up to Lehigh St at 3.2 miles. Head left for a 1 mile on-road section through Shavertown. This residential road has a narrow shoulder. Turn left on Vine St at 3.5 miles, then right on Shaver Ave where you'll encounter a slight hill. Follow to Main St and bear right out to Center St. Continue straight along Main St to Franklin St and turn right. Cross over Toby Creek and rejoin the rail trail on your left at 4.2 miles. Map Board located here. To your right is the Lawn Ave parking area (small pullout for a few cars). The flat, crushed gravel trail heads North into the woods alongside Toby Creek. A detour off the old rail bed brings you out to Terrace St at 4.5 miles where the trail currently ends.

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CLICK HERE FOR MAP

 

BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE

WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER

 

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