Motorcycle loops on Route 6 recommended
Motorcyclists from all over the United States and Canada have enjoyed the rolling terrain and lush landscape of US Route 6 in Pennsylvania for years. To help motorcyclists plan their trip, the PA Route 6 Alliance had announced that a map with suggested touring loops off the historic highway, called “Take the High Road” is now available.
The loop tours start and end at one point on the PA Route 6 Heritage Corridor, winding through several counties, historic sites, breathtaking overlooks and fun places to see along the trip. The five loop tours cover anywhere from 118 miles to 260 miles and are designed to include great places for meals and overnights. The loops can be experienced as separate trips or pulled together for one long week of experiencing one of America’s favorite highways.
Pennsylvania Great Lake Tour — Motorcyclists will enjoy the views from several lakes in northwestern part of the state. The tour starts in Meadville and heads west with a stop at the overlooks in Conneaut Lake and Pymatuning State Park, then travels south through the Oil Heritage region to Titusville, from here it heads north for a pit stop at the Gigi’s Route 6 diner in Corry, continuing north to Lake Erie’s wine country and then back south along Pennsylvania’s only coastline before passing Edinboro Lake and following French Creek through Cambridge Springs and back to Meadville.
Pennsylvania Wilds West Loop — The Allegheny National Forest is the feature of this figure-8 tour. It starts in Bradford following Routes 346 and 321 to the Kinzua Dam and Allegheny Reservoir and then travels to Warren , where it connects to US Route 6 through Youngsville and heads north to Russell and back down to Route 6 East with a pit stop at CJ Distillery in Kane or Kafe Sol in Mt Jewett, and a stop at the Kinzua Skywalk. The tour then leaves Route 6 as it passes the mansions in Smethport, heading northwest to Eldred and back to Bradford.
Pennsylvania Wilds East Loop — Features favorite sites within the region. Starting in Coudersport with the phenomenon of the Ice Mine, the tour heads south past the Austin Dam to the Sinnemahoning Wildlife Center. The tour then turns east following the Bucktail Scenic Drive to Lock Haven and Jersey Shore, where it goes north and runs parallel to the Pine Creek Rail-Trail up through Morris, before heading east again to connect to US Route 15 (I-99 corridor) to Mansfield. The tour then turns onto Route 6 West through to the gas-light lined streets of Wellsboro and to the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. After visiting the Canyon, the tour back tracks to Route 6 West through Galeton with a stop at the newly renovated PA Lumber Museum before heading back to Coudersport and relaxing at the Hotel Crittenden or American Legion.
Endless Mountain Loop — Offers scenic views of the rivers and farming landscape. Starting in Towanda, the tours starts on Route 220 through the Susquehanna River Valley to Ricketts Glen State Park before heading east to Pittston and into Scranton, home of Steamtown National Park and the Electric Trolley Museum, where the tour continues on Business Route 6 into Carbondale. From Carbondale, the tour heads north and then east to connect up with Route 6 West again near Factoryville. After a slight ride north up Route 11 to see the Nicholson Viaduct, the tour heads back to Route 6 West through historic district of Tunkhannock , traveling parallel to the Susquehanna River, which is visible from the overlooks just east of Wyalusing, and back to Towanda.
Pocono Mountains Tour — Lake Wallenpaupack and the waterfalls throughout the region are must-stop places along this tour. It starts with a view of the wind farm near Waymart and heads east along Route 6 through Honesdale, White Mills and into Hawley. The lake offers some nice stopping points and several places to grab a bite to eat. The tour continues on Route 6 with stops at Shohola Falls and another break in the Milford, home of Grey Towers National Historic Site. The tour then travels south on Route 209 past waterfalls at Dingmans’ Ferry and Bushkill. At Bushkill, the tour heads north to Promised Land State Park and through Hamlin before looping back to Waymart.
More detail and maps and itineraries are available at the PA Route 6 website: paroute6.com/motorcycles.
The PA Route 6 Alliance was established in 2003 to manage the PA Route 6 Heritage Corridor and to implement the Management Action Plan, branding and marketing plans, community development programs and other planning efforts along the corridor. The Alliance includes representatives from all 11 counties, 10 convention and visitor bureaus, 4 heritage areas, local development districts, local business owners, Chambers of Commerce and other interested parties along the corridor.