SUSQUEHANNA WARRIOR TRAIL:
BERWICK-HUNLOCK CREEK, PENNSYLVANIA
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: September 19, 2025
Length: Susquehanna Warrior Trail; 12.4 miles
Riverside Loop Trail; 1.8 miles
North Branch Canal Towpath; 1.8 miles
Difficulty: Susquehanna Warrior Trail; Moderate. Flat hard packed grass & crushed gravel rail trail. The trail has not been well maintained.
Riverside Loop Trail; Easy. Flat, stone-dust & grass trail?
North Branch Canal Towpath; Flat, stone-dust & hard packed dirt & grass?
Directions:
To Start from the Susquehanna Riverlands in Berwick [Southern End]; From I-80 take exit 241 to Routes 11 north. Travel 12.3 miles and turn right past the Susquehanna Energy Info Center. Continue past the first parking lot and cross over two sets of RR tracks. Pass by the trailhead on your left and the Susquehanna Riverlands parking lot #1 is on your right. If you continue along the road you'll pass by a turnoff to the Susquehanna Riverlands parking lot #2. Finally you'll come to the end of the road and Susquehanna Riverlands parking lot #3.
The Susquehanna Warrior Trail follows the rail bed of the former Delaware, Lehigh and Western Railroad. It travels between Route 11 and the Susquehanna River, from the Susquehanna Riverlands in Berwick North, through Shickshinny, then Northeast, to West Nanticoke. Parts of the trail also parallel the old North Branch Canal. At the Susquehanna Riverlands, you can also access the Riverside Loop Trail & North Branch Canal Towpath. For more information visit; SUSQUEHANNA RIVERLANDS & SUSQUEHANNA WARRIOR TRAIL .
Susquehanna Warrior Trail:
Starting from Susquehanna Riverlands parking lot #1 in Berwick [Southern End]; From the parking lot head left, West, to the trailhead. The 0 Mile Marker begins here. To your right is a butterfly garden. Map Board located here as well.
Note; From here you can also access the Riverside Loop Trail & North Branch Canal Towpath. I haven't checked out either of these 2 trails. See Below.
The crushed gravel Susquehanna Warrior Trail heads North, along some RR tracks. Unfortunately this trail has not been well maintained and is slowly being overtaken by grass. The RR tracks soon disappear as you travel the partially shaded path. Mile Markers every 0.25 miles. You'll finally spot the Susquehanna River to your right at 0.6 miles. Route 11 now travels above on your left. The trail parallels Route 11. Come to Route 239 at 3 miles. Here you'll need to do an on-road detour, because the trail is completely overgrown, where it traveled underneath Route 239 to Shickshinny Park in Shickshinny. Travel on-road, along Route 11 to Route 239. CAUTION; NO CROSS-WALK and a Jersey barrier across the road. Cross Route 239 and either lift your bike over the Jersey barrier to a sidewalk or follow the barrier via a wide shoulder along Route 11. Turn right, East, on E Butler St and follow to E Vine St, on your left, in Shickshinny at 3.6 miles.
Note; If you continue straight, along E Butler St, you'll come to Shickshinny Park. The Susquehanna Warrior Trail travels South, between the river and park. It then travels underneath Route 239. Overgrown.
The trail now travels Northeast, through Shickshinny, crossing Shickshinny Creek via an old RR bridge. The trail follows a berm, paralleling N Susquehanna Ave, crossing several streets before passing a playground at 4 miles. Here you'll find a Map Board and the Shickshinny parking lot. Picnic tables. You head into the woods leaving the town behind and soon start to parallel Route 11 again at 4.3 miles. This is as far as I traveled. The trail continues between Route 11 (usually below the road) and the river. At about 6 miles the trail pulls away from the road for a bit, passing by the Union Township boat launch at 6.9 miles. Map Board here. You'll return alongside Route 11 and come to Retreat Bridge at 8 miles. Across the river is the SCI Retreat (Start Correctional Institution). Map Board located here. The trail continues alongside Route 11 and pulls away from the river before passing by UGI Energy Services at 9.3 miles. Cross an old RR bridge over Hunlock Creek, before passing by the old remnants of the former Hunlock Creek Train Station. Pass by the Garden Drive-in Flea Market at 11 miles. Cross Canal St (dirt road) and come to the end of the trail.
Note; The old undeveloped rail bed continues East, crossing Canal St and an old RR bridge over Harveys Creek. Not sure if there are future plans to extend the trail.
Heading right, South, brings you to the Canal Park parking lot in West Nanticoke after 12.4 miles.
Note; Small playground and sports court. If you exit the parking lot to Canal St and head left, East, you'll come to a black iron fence, behind which is an old Lock of the former North Branch Canal.
North Branch Canal Towpath & Riverside Loop Trail:
Starting from Susquehanna Riverlands parking lot #1 in Berwick [Northern End]; From the parking lot, head right, East, along the road to the North Branch Canal Towpath, on your right, followed by the Riverside Loop Trail, which crosses the road. I haven't checked out either of these 2 trails.
North Branch Canal Towpath; Western Side:
The stone-dust North Branch Canal Towpath; Western Side travels South, along a pond and the Western Side of the old Canal. There is also a trail along the Eastern Side of the Canal, which the Riverside Loop Trail utilizes. Come to a bridge over the Canal at 0.3 miles.
Note; This bridge will take you over to the Susquehanna Riverlands parking lot #3 and the North Branch Canal Towpath; Eastern Side & Riverside Loop Trail.
You then come to the end of the pond, where the trail takes you away from the Canal and out to a small parking area at 0.9 miles. Cross the road, where the trail returns you to the Canal. It now travels through the woods along the Western Side of the old Canal.
Note; A Spur Trail on your left, at 1 mile, crosses back over the road, where you'll pick up the North Branch Canal Towpath; Eastern Side, as it travels North, along the Eastern Side of the Canal, forming a nice Loop.
Continuing South, I believe the trail briefly turns off the old Canal. You'll come to Hicks Ferry Rd after 1.8 miles. Not sure if the old Canal is assessable past here.
Riverside Loop Trail:
The Riverside Loop Trail travels North, along the Eastern Side of the old Canal. Not sure of the trail surface. It then turns right, East, towards the Susquehanna River, before turning South, along the river at 0.4 miles. It then turns West, at 1.2 miles, crossing an open field. You'll pass by a spur on your right that leads to the Susquehanna Riverlands parking lot #3. Come to the North Branch Canal Towpath; Eastern Side of the old Canal at 1.4 miles.
Note; Heading South, the North Branch Canal Towpath; Eastern Side, continues along the Eastern Side of the old Canal, crossing a road and connecting to the North Branch Canal Towpath; Western Side after 0.6 miles.
Continuing right, North, the North Branch Canal Towpath; Eastern Side & Riverside Loop Trail continues alongside the Canal, to the Susquehanna Riverlands parking lot #3.
Note; Here, a bridge will take you over the Canal to the North Branch Canal Towpath; Western Side and the Western Side of the old Canal.
Continuing North, alongside the Canal, you'll return to the Susquehanna Riverlands parking lot #1 after a 1.8 mile Loop.
HH
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