Taking the High Road

May 2020 Feature

Flowers are blossoming and leaves are popping all along the PA Route 6 corridor. Spring has sprung and with the warmer temperatures comes the call of the road! May is National Bike and Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and PA Route 6 offers one of the best rides in the country.

In addition to multiple rail-trail options, US Bike Route 36 follows Pennsylvania Bicycle Route Y, and connects New York to Ohio via the PA Route 6 corridor. The route showcases industrial history, including the first underground mine, the first steam locomotive, and the first lighthouse on the Great Lakes.

GPS mapping for USBR 36 is now available on the Ride with GPS website, allowing bicyclists to download GPS map and cue sheets to their portable devices. The map follows PA Route 6 except for a detour off Rt. 6 to Rt 107 from Factoryville to Mayfield.

Named by National Geographic as “one of America’s most scenic drives” and described as “a wealth of scenic delights” by RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel, US Route 6 in Pennsylvania is the route chosen by motorcyclists for its rolling terrain and lush landscape. To help motorcyclists plan their trip, the PA Route 6 Alliance has produced a map with suggested touring loops off the historic highway, called “Take the High Road.”

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.

The complete itineraries, with downloadable maps, are available on the PA Route 6 website or, to receive a mailed brochure, contact the PA Route 6 office at info@paroute6.com or 814-435-7706.