J. MANLEY ROBBINS & HESS LOOP TRAIL:
DANVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: July 29, 2025
Length: J. Manley Robbins & Hess Loop Trail; 2.7 miles
Difficulty: Easy. Flat, hard packed gravel/grass rail trail with a short on-road connector.
Directions:
From I-80 take exit 224 to Route 54 east. Travel 2.5 miles and turn right onto Montour St (Commercial area).
To Start from the Meadow Lane Trailhead [Southeast End]; Turn right on Meadow Lane and follow to Hess Field entrance. Parking and map board here.
To Start from the Montour Street Trailhead [Southwest End]; Continue left on Montour St. Cross creek and when the road turns sharply left turn right for the parking lot.
The J. Manley Robbins & Hess Loop Trail follows a former railroad line for the "Montour," a 10-ton narrow gauge locomotive used for carrying iron ore between deposits and furnaces. The line was converted to a bicycle path in the 1890's, making it one of the oldest 'Rails to Trails' in the country. It connects to the old Reading RR Line and along with a short on-road section, creates a Loop around the Hess Recreation Area. For more information visit; J. MANLEY ROBBINS TRAIL .
Starting from the Meadow Lane Trailhead [Southern End]; Head up past the Map Board to the old Reading RR Line. Head left, North, along a narrow, hard packed dirt & grass trail. The trail parallels Route 54 along a shaded corridor. Cross a wooden covered bridge over Mahoning Creek before coming to an intersection at 1.1 miles.
Note; If you continue straight, North, along the old rail line, along the wide hard packed dirt & gravel trail you'll come to an isolated parking area off Liberty Valley Road after 0.2 miles.
Heading left, to continue the Loop you come to a gravel road where you head left, South. You'll quickly pick up the trail on your right ("Rope Spur"). I believe this section follows the rail bed of the old "Montour" narrow gauge locomotive. Here the hard packed dirt & gravel trail follows the ridge line through deep forest. Steep drop-offs. Scenic but isolated. The Mahoning Creek flows down below. At 1.9 miles you'll find a platform overlooking the creek below. Head down a slight hill to reach the Montour Street parking area at 2.4 miles. Here you'll find another Map Board. Continue straight out to Montour St and travel left, on-road (low traffic). Cross a bridge over the creek and continue straight, North, along Meadow Lane, returning to the Meadow Lane Trailhead after a 2.7 mile Loop.
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BIKE IT OR HIKE IT