Pine Creek Rail Path Chosen as Pennsylvania’s 2026 Path of the Yr – Cyber Tech

Press launch by DCNR Newsroom posted 19 February 2026


View of Pine Creek Path | The historic 62-mile path connects guests to a wealth of leisure and cultural experiences from Jersey Shore in Lycoming County to Wellsboro in Tioga County.

The Pine Creek Rail Path, a 62-mile scenic journey via the Appalachian Mountains in Lycoming and Tioga counties, has been named Pennsylvania’s 2026 Path of the Yr by the Pennsylvania Division of Conservation and Pure Assets (DCNR).

“We’re proud to call the Pine Creek Rail Path as Pennsylvania’s 2026 Path of the Yr and to honor the wealthy historical past, tradition, and leisure alternatives that make this path a vacation spot for guests from all over the world,” mentioned DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “This designation will elevate consciousness in regards to the wealth of outside experiences within the Pennsylvania Wilds — together with the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon and the not too long ago improved customer heart at Leonard Harrison State Park — whereas strengthening help for native companies and producing lasting financial, environmental, and social advantages for the area.”

The Pine Creek Rail Path (PCRT) traces a historic hall first utilized by the Iroquois Nation and later developed as a railroad within the late nineteenth century. After rail service led to 1988, the hall was remodeled right into a 62-mile non-motorized path accomplished between 1995 and 2007, stretching from Jersey Shore to Wellsboro Junction. As we speak, the nationally acknowledged path attracts greater than 44,000 customers yearly and generates greater than $5 million in native financial influence. It serves as a significant leisure and tourism asset inside the Pennsylvania Wilds, Route 6 Heritage Hall, and the Lumber Heritage Area.

The Pine Creek Rail Path attracts greater than 44,000 guests yearly,
producing greater than $5 million in native financial influence
in help of the Commonwealth’s $19 billion outside recreation business.

Constructing on that success, the Pine Creek Rail Path Extension (PCRTE), also referred to as the Marsh Creek Greenway, closed a vital 3.2-mile hole by connecting the path’s former northern terminus on to downtown Wellsboro. DCNR, the Pennsylvania Division of Transportation (PennDOT), Tioga County, and volunteers labored collectively to finish the venture, supported by $3.5 million from DCNR and $2.5 million from PennDOT. The extension features a new trailhead with a customer heart and facilities, in addition to a protected downtown connector for pedestrians and cyclists, absolutely integrating Wellsboro into the statewide path community and the Pennsylvania Wilds system. The Shapiro Administration marked the extension’s completion, which closed the fifth High 10 Path Hole below Governor Josh Shapiro’s management.

“The Pine Creek Rail Path is a cornerstone of Tioga County’s outside recreation economic system, drawing guests from throughout the area and supporting native companies year-round,” mentioned Tioga County Commissioners Marc Rice, Sam VanLoon, and Shane Nickerson. “With the completion of the Pine Creek Rail Path Extension, this recognition displays each the exhausting work of numerous volunteers and robust partnerships amongst municipalities, companies, and neighborhood organizations, whereas setting the stage for continued development, innovation, and alternative alongside the Rail Path hall.”

The Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee designates the Path of the Yr to assist construct enthusiasm and help for trails throughout the state, and to boost public consciousness in regards to the worth of the Pennsylvania’s land and water path community. Pennsylvania continues its custom of being a pacesetter in path improvement by offering its residents and guests with greater than 14,000 miles of trails.

The Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee is charged with implementing the suggestions of the Pennsylvania Trails Strategic Plan to develop a statewide land and water path community to facilitate recreation, transportation, and wholesome existence for all. The 20-member DCNR-appointed committee represents each motorized and non-motorized path customers and advises the Commonwealth on use of state and federal path funding.

Investing in Trails Powers Pennsylvania’s Out of doors Financial system

Governor Josh Shapiro has prioritized strengthening Pennsylvania’s $19 billion outside recreation business. Since he took workplace, the business has grown by 10 % — including
$2 billion to the state’s economic system, practically 4,000 new jobs, and supporting greater than 168,000 jobs total. As we speak, outside recreation represents 2 % of the Commonwealth’s GDP and delivers $9 billion in wages and salaries to Pennsylvanians, in accordance to the U.S. Bureau of Financial Evaluation.

The Governor has made strategic investments to raise outside recreation, remodeling it right into a cornerstone of Pennsylvania’s economic system and communities. These efforts are driving financial development, fostering entrepreneurial alternatives, and creating jobs throughout the Commonwealth.

Current investments embrace greater than $10 million for 36 path tasks via DCNR’s Neighborhood Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2), a part of a broader $79 million funding in 307 native recreation and conservation tasks throughout the Commonwealth.

Previous Path of the Yr Winners

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