Worlds End: Eagles Mere Express
37 miles | 3,391’ | 63% unpaved
Ride from Worlds End State Park to Eagles Mere on scenic gravel roads through Loyalsock State Forest, with highlights including High Knob Overlook, Loyalsock Canyon Vista, waterfalls, and a rugged singletrack return.
Take the scenic route to Eagles Mere and enjoy some rowdy singletrack on the return to Worlds End State Park! With sweeping vistas, waterfalls, miles of tree-lined gravel roads, and a touch of rugged trail riding, this route showcases some of the very best scenery in the Endless Mountains.
Leaving the Worlds End State Park Visitor Center, the route immediately begins climbing into the Loyalsock State Forest on quiet gravel roads. Along the way, you'll pass the Shanerburg and High Knob Road’s primitive campsites, reservable state forest campgrounds that make excellent overnight options for bikepackers. The climb culminates at High Knob Overlook, one of the premier vistas in north-central Pennsylvania. Perched more than 2,000 feet above sea level, the overlook provides panoramic views of seemingly endless forested ridges that stretch to the horizon.
From the overlook, descend Dry Run Road, where a small waterfall and shaded picnic area provide an ideal spot to take a break before following picturesque Ogdonia Creek. The creek tumbles through a narrow valley with another small waterfall before the route passes Hunter's Lake and continues toward the historic mountaintop village of Eagles Mere.
Developed in the late 1800s as one of Pennsylvania's premier summer resorts, Eagles Mere was once home to five grand hotels, a spectacular water carnival, an ice toboggan slide, an extensive trail system, and a narrow-gauge railroad connecting the community to Sonestown. The railroad disappeared long ago, and while several of the buildings have been lost or repurposed, much of the village's Victorian character has been carefully preserved.
Today, Eagles Mere remains a charming mountaintop destination with inviting restaurants, cafés, museums, shops, and abundant outdoor recreation. Visitors can still experience traditions like the summer Water Carnival and winter Toboggan Slide, hike miles of scenic trails in the Eagles Mere Conservancy, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere that earned the borough a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
Consider a visit to the nearby Eagles Mere Air and Auto Museums before heading home. The Air Museum hosts an impressive collection of working antique aircraft and aviation history, while the Auto Museum showcases road-ready vintage cars and mid-century Americana treasures.
Leaving town, riders follow the former narrow-gauge railroad grade (please only ride on the rail trail) before re-entering the Loyalsock State Forest, where a short but memorable stretch of rugged singletracky doubletrack links you back to Shanerburg Rd. The adventure concludes by climbing back over the spectacular Loyalsock Canyon Vista, one of the region's signature overlooks, before descending into Worlds End State Park.
Round out your adventure by returning to Eagles Mere for the annual June Eagles Mere Grand Cru gravel weekend, a three-day celebration of gravel riding, community, and the spectacular roads that define this region. With fully supported routes, camping just minutes from the start, great food, and options for every type of rider, it's an incredible way to experience these roads alongside fellow gravel enthusiasts.
