Ernst Trail

Directions Website Contact the organization

Ernst Trail French Creek Recreational Trails, Inc. http://ernsttrail.org/ Despite the involvement of some of Meadville’s best-known citizens, the railroad did not flourish.

History of Ernst Trail
The Meadville-Linesville Railroad was built from 1880-1892 by a group of Meadville entrepreneurs to gain access to the Pennsylvania Railroad at Linesville. In 1891, the Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad Co. leased the right-of-way and for a time it’s most profitable use was as a passenger line, transporting visitors to Exposition Park (renamed Conneaut Lake Park in 1920). With the rise of the automobile, passenger service declined, and in 1934, rail service to the park was discontinued. The Bessemer abandoned the line in 1976. In 1996, Calvin Ernst, the right-of-way’s owner, donated the property to French Creek Recreational Trails and the Ernst Bike Trail was born.

Here are a few autumn photos taken between mile marker 3.0 and 4.0 to inspire you to spend some time admiring the beauty...
10/14/2026

Here are a few autumn photos taken between mile marker 3.0 and 4.0 to inspire you to spend some time admiring the beauty of nature for yourself on the Ernst Trail 🍂...

Thanks to Bill and Jerry, we now have a streetlight at the Krider Rd. Trailhead 🙂.
10/12/2026

Thanks to Bill and Jerry, we now have a streetlight at the Krider Rd. Trailhead 🙂.

Not quite at peak color yet, but time to plan an autumn walk, run, or bike ride on the Ernst Trail 🍂.(photo taken betwee...
10/12/2026

Not quite at peak color yet, but time to plan an autumn walk, run, or bike ride on the Ernst Trail 🍂.
(photo taken between mile marker 0.5 and 1.0)

We are very thankful for Cory Nicols, who has been doing a fantastic job handling the task of major tree trimming on the...
10/12/2026

We are very thankful for Cory Nicols, who has been doing a fantastic job handling the task of major tree trimming on the Ernst Trail. We are very fortunate to have great professionals, such as Cory, supporting our efforts in maintaining and improving the trail, so that it will continue to be a wonderful place for people of all ages to enjoy the beauty of nature.

Our hardworking crew has been at it again! This time they repaired a bridge and cleared a fallen tree. Pictured from l...
10/09/2026

Our hardworking crew has been at it again! This time they repaired a bridge and cleared a fallen tree. Pictured from left to right in the first photo is Bill Dross, Dr. Chris Adsit, Brad Stallsmith, Keith Knighton, Tom Hayden, and Cameron Guffey. Thank you, gentlemen!!!

In today's edition of the Meadville Tribune...
10/08/2026

In today's edition of the Meadville Tribune...

Marci and Dennie Finton attended the Crawford Gives check presentation Friday, October 2 in Diamond Park, and are pictur...
10/08/2026

Marci and Dennie Finton attended the Crawford Gives check presentation Friday, October 2 in Diamond Park, and are pictured with Christian Maher, executive director of Crawford Heritage Community Foundation, who presented a check to The Ernst Trail / French Creek Recreational Trails in the amount of $ 22,430.34.
Thank you to all of our community supporters!

Today our Ernst Trail volunteers, Bill Dross and Attorney Robert Fischer of Conneaut Lake, installed a permanent bike re...
09/29/2026

Today our Ernst Trail volunteers, Bill Dross and Attorney Robert Fischer of Conneaut Lake, installed a permanent bike repair station at the Conneaut Lake Trailhead pavilion. The repair station will allow trail users to make quick simple repairs in a case of a bike emergency. The repair station was supported through funding from Fischer Legal Services, Conneaut Lake.

Today marked the completion of new permanent concrete handicapped accessible parking at the Bean's Trailhead. With this...
09/29/2026

Today marked the completion of new permanent concrete handicapped accessible parking at the Bean's Trailhead. With this new addition, trail users will enjoy a very smooth transition directly unto the main trail surface.
This project was funded with assistance from the Harry S. Winslow Foundation, Crawford Heritage Community Foundation, and funds raised by our own volunteers. Construction was completed by John Myer and our own, Erik Kulasa.
The parking spots will be cured enough to drive on in approximately one week 🙂.

Some improvements at the Krider Rd. trailhead thanks to David Steele 😀...
09/24/2026

Some improvements at the Krider Rd. trailhead thanks to David Steele 😀...

Address

18757 Smock Highway
Meadville, PA
16335

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Ernst Trail posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Ernst Trail:

Shortcuts

Share

Category