Endless East 200 – 5-Day Cycling Itinerary

Begin your journey in Tunkhannock, where plentiful lodging and dining options set the stage for a fresh start and an eager sense of adventure.

Rolling out of town, the route passes Lake Carey before leading to Brown Hill Farms—a seasonal highlight where rows of tulips or towering sunflowers offer a burst of color and a perfect photo stop.

Midway through the day, the town of Nicholson makes an ideal refueling point, with lunch options just beneath the shadow of the impressive Tunkhannock Viaduct, one of the largest concrete railroad bridges in the world. From there, the riding softens as you follow the gentle grade of Martins Creek northward, winding toward Hop Bottom. Here, a classic small-town stop at Smoke It rewards riders with hearty pizza or barbecue before the final climb of the day.

The effort pays off at Shore Forest Campground, where cozy cabins and peaceful surroundings provide a welcome place to rest and recharge for the miles ahead.

Leaving Hop Bottom, the route follows Martins Creek northward, soon passing the historic Dennis Farm—a cultural landmark with deep significance in African American history.

For riders with a little extra energy, a short detour rewards you with the sight of the Martins Creek Viaduct, its graceful arches spanning above a quiet gravel road.

From here, the path turns east, crisscrossing a patchwork of steep grades and rolling farmland, including the storied Helens Road—a climb that has earned a reputation among local cyclists. Cresting the hills brings you to Union Dale, where the landscape shifts as you join the smooth, shaded path of the D&H Rail Trail. Just steps away, Cable’s General Store and the Rail-Trail Council office form a welcoming oasis for bikepackers, offering hearty meals and a friendly pause before pressing on.

Continuing north along the rail trail’s gentle grades, you’ll arrive in Ararat, where food options await and lodging at Camp Bluestone provides a rustic and comfortable place to spend the night.

Prepare for a longer day in the saddle—though the first half brings gentler grades, easing you toward Montrose, a charming gem in the heart of Susquehanna County. Rolling north from Ararat, the D&H Rail Trail tips gradually downhill, though its surfaces grow rougher as you descend.

The trail twists through a series of switchbacks where the viaduct once spanned Buck Falls, before carrying you into the valley towns of Lanesboro and Susquehanna Depot. Here, the mighty Starrucca Viaduct—an engineering marvel of the 19th century—still stands guard over the community.

After refueling in town, follow the Susquehanna River westward to Hallstead, then continue south to New Milford, both offering convenient resupply options. From New Milford, the character shifts once more as the route climbs steadily back into a quilt of hilly farmland and quiet gravel lanes. Your day concludes in Montrose, where Revolutionary War-era history mingles with modern comforts—boutique inns, cozy coffee shops, and even a local chocolate maker to sweeten the evening.

For those who prefer to camp under the stars, Salt Springs State Park lies just a short detour north, offering woodland campsites and a natural alternative to in-town lodging.

This stage delivers a true test of endurance, tracing a jagged elevation profile of relentless rollers—short, steep climbs stacked one after another like teeth on a saw blade.

Although the route begins high in Montrose and ultimately drops down to Wyalusing on the Susquehanna River, don’t be fooled by the net descent; you’ll grind out nearly 6,000 feet of climbing in just 50 miles, the steepest effort-to-distance ratio of the entire itinerary. Along the way, the scenery softens the sting—quiet valleys tucked between wooded ridgelines, wide-open farm vistas, and sweeping views that stretch toward the river basin reward each hard-won ascent. Food and water management are critical here, with limited resupply on route—Friendsville offers basic options, while Le Raysville has a few services, though hours can be unpredictable, so plan carefully.

The payoff comes at day’s end as you roll into historic Wyalusing, where the town’s storied hotel offers hearty dinners and a warm bed—an ideal place to restore body and spirit before tackling the final chapter of the journey.

Your final day begins with anticipation, leaving Wyalusing and tracing the Susquehanna River’s winding valley before climbing back into the uplands that frame the Endless Mountains.

The route is a study in contrasts: peaceful riverside miles give way to stout climbs that rise through rolling farmland and shaded forest hollows. While the elevation profile is gentler than the day before, the accumulated miles in your legs make every hill a test of endurance and resolve.

Scenery remains a constant companion—panoramic ridge views, quiet country lanes, and glimpses of small farmsteads that feel frozen in time. Resupply is scattered but available in towns along the way, offering opportunities for one last snack or coffee stop before the journey’s close. As you complete the final miles into Tunkhannock, the loop returns to where it began, bringing a sense of accomplishment and closure.

Whether you celebrate with a hearty meal in town, a quiet reflection by the river, or a simple deep breath of mountain air, this last stretch ties together the challenges, beauty, and spirit of the Endless Mountains experience.

Visit Endless Gravel’s website for more routes, ride ideas, and local stories. Photos by Sebastian Samek & David Landis.

Funded by a Great American Getaway Co-Op Grant Provided by the Pennsylvania Tourism Office and the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development.