Sayre: High and Low on the Chemung

25.5 miles | 2,280’ | 60% unpaved

Ride quiet back roads, rugged gravel, and scenic riverfront paths while exploring forests, farmland, and the Chemung River Valley across two states.

Explore the rolling hills west of Sayre and the scenic banks of the Chemung River in New York on this diverse gravel adventure. Beginning at Tozer's Landing Park, riders can enjoy river views—or even take a refreshing swim on a hot summer day—before tackling the route's first climb and first stretch of gravel. Beyond the initial ascent, quiet back roads wind through forests and farmland, passing Blueberry Mountain Farm, where visitors can pick fresh blueberries from July into early August, depending on the season. While most of the gravel is well maintained, several roads are signed "No Winter Maintenance," which in this part of Pennsylvania often means little to no maintenance at all. Riders with wide tires and a taste for adventure will find these rugged sections among the highlights of the route, while others may choose to walk short stretches.

By Mile 13, most of the climbing is behind you, rewarding the effort with a thrilling descent to the broad river valley. After crossing into New York, the route follows the banks of the Chemung River, where riders pass through a barricade onto a decommissioned section of River Road that remains open only to pedestrians and cyclists (home to a future park). This peaceful mile-long stretch offers beautiful river views and, in spring, hillsides blanketed with wildflowers before leading back toward Sayre through the historic downtown of Waverly, New York.

If time allows, three nearby parks are well worth the short detour. Waverly Glen Park features the impressive 40-foot Waverly Glen Falls and a network of hiking trails, including a connection to Two Rivers State Park, where additional hiking and mountain biking trails climb to panoramic views overlooking both the Chemung and Susquehanna River valleys. East of Sayre and Waverly, the Carantouan Greenway Wildwood Nature Preserve offers another opportunity to explore, with peaceful trails winding through meadows, wetlands, and mature woodlands.