Endless Mountains 430 – 8-Day Cycling Itinerary

Your journey begins in the river valley town of Towanda, where the Susquehanna’s calm waters mirror the hills ahead. The first day may be short in mileage, but the Endless Mountains waste no time showing their rugged charm. Climb steadily through shaded hollows and ridge-line clearings, where stone walls and weathered barns whisper the story of Pennsylvania’s farming past.

The gravel roads roll smoothly under your tires, switching between quiet forests and panoramic overlooks. Descending toward Sayre, the horizon opens wide, revealing the layered hills of the Northern Tier. In town, reward yourself with a craft pint and hearty dinner at Bluestone Brewery, housed in a restored building that reflects the region’s rich industrial heritage. Stay overnight at the Hampton Inn, just steps from the brewery, with a warm breakfast waiting to fuel tomorrow’s bigger push.

This first day is a gentle prologue: enough climbing to feel your legs come alive, enough scenery to remind you why you came, and just the right balance of effort and indulgence to set the tone for the adventure ahead.

A hearty breakfast at The Grille at the Train Station sends you rolling south from Sayre, legs fresh for one of the route’s signature climbs. The morning miles ease you into pastoral valleys, where dairy farms and hedgerows frame the horizon.

In Troy, the smell of pizza drifts from Vinnie’s, the perfect mid-ride refuel before the ascent of Armenia Mountain. The gravel winds higher and higher, carrying you past blueberry barrens, spruce stands, and wind-swept overlooks. Visit Greener Pastures Farm, where local produce and friendly animals await, before reaching Lamb’s Lookout, pause for a view that seems to stretch forever—the Endless Mountains unfolding in layered ridgelines.

The descent into Canton is fast and exhilarating, with the small town’s Victorian storefronts welcoming you. Settle into the historic Rockgirt BnB, a family-run inn brimming with character and stories from generations past.

Dinner awaits at the Park Hotel or a classic pizza-and-ice-cream combo with stops at IHS Pizza and Flavorland. If you’re lucky, you might catch a show at the restored theatre, or swap route tales with locals from the Canton Cycling Club, who know every gravel lane in the county. The day is tough, but the reward—immersion in scenery and community—is immense.

Breakfast banter fills The Chatterbox, where locals trade news before your day’s adventure begins.

The road climbs steadily into the Loyalsock State Forest, where the forest envelopes you in a green cathedral of hemlock and maple, carrying you past Bearwallow Pond, its mirrored surface reflecting the surrounding forest. Rural charm shines in Hillsgrove, where the McCarty Mercantile offers sandwiches and stories—don’t miss the antique safe tucked in the back room.

Descend briefly into Eagles Mere for a sweet pick-me-up at the Sweet Shop or a cozy coffee in town. Then continue on to the route’s crown jewel: Loyalsock Canyon Vista, where the gorge unfurls beneath you, a painter’s sweep of rock and river. Your day ends at Worlds End State Park, a fitting name for a landscape so wild it feels untouched.

Pitch a tent or cozy into a cabin, then spin an easy mile to Forksville through the covered bridge for dinner at Big Mike’s Steaks & Hoagies, where old-fashioned charm matches hearty portions. Tonight, the rush of Loyalsock Creek will lull you to sleep, promising more rugged beauty ahead.

From the misty gorge of Worlds End, the road climbs into solitude—endless forest, mossy fern-lined roads, and gravel that hums beneath your tires.

Midday pass through Laporte to the hamlet of Jamison City for lunch at the Jamison City Hotel, its penny-lined bar a quirky local treasure, or the Central Park Hotel, where an old stuffed bison presides over the dining room. Beyond, ridges rise and fall in rhythm, the route tugging you deeper into Sullivan County.

At the end of the day, arrive at Dushore, a small town with a big personality. Painted toilet seats mounted around storefronts honor its whimsical outhouse races, and the lone traffic light of the entire county blinks at Main Street. Lodging at Twin Spruce Tourist Home is a cozy welcome, steeped in small-town hospitality.

For dinner, Marybeth’s Westside Deli delivers hearty fare, perfect after the day’s relentless climbs. This is Sullivan County at its finest: quirky, proud, and deeply rooted in tradition. 

Wake to the smell of a home-cooked breakfast at Twin Spruce or wander to Pam’s Restaurant, fueling for a rolling ride that soon delivers you to the river valleys of Wyoming County.

The Susquehanna bends closer here, its waters carving through farmlands dotted with red barns and grazing cattle. In Laceyville, the smoky aromas of Meat Hook BBQ or the classic comfort at Wiser Choice make for a lunch worth lingering over. A few miles farther, Meshoppen Pizza tempts you if the hunger hasn’t quite eased.

The approach to Tunkhannock brings you past river views and historic homesteads, before the town greets you with its artsy, walkable center. Stay at the Comfort Inn, Hampton Inn, or gather with friends at the charming White House on Warren. Dinner at Twigs Café sets the stage for an evening stroll past murals and the renowned Dietrich Theater, where locals swear the popcorn is the best in Pennsylvania.

Today’s reward is variety: rolling farmland, river views, and a lively town that blends culture, food, and history in a way only the Endless Mountains can deliver.

A hearty breakfast at Towne & Country Grille sends you out into one of the route’s most dramatic days.

The highlight here is the great high viaducts, railroad marvels towering above the valleys. In Nicholson, the soaring Tunkhannock Viaduct dominates the horizon, a century-old feat of engineering still carrying trains overhead. Grab a slice or diner fare before pushing into the countryside.

Lunch at Smoke It in Hop Bottom keeps spirits high, then history takes center stage at the Dennis Farm, an important site tied to early African American heritage. The climbing stiffens, none tougher than the infamous wall of Helen’s Road, the steepest pitch on the entire route. Sweat earned, the payoff comes at Cable’s General Store, a legendary hungry bikepacker calorie stop where the rail trail begins, offering a flatter roll uphill toward the day’s end.

Your overnight at Camp Bluestone—glamping tents or cabins nestled in the farmland—pairs perfectly with dinner at Arlo’s Tavern, where the welcome is as hearty as the food. This is a day where natural beauty, human history, and raw physical challenge intertwine, leaving you with stories that will linger long after.

Today’s ride is shorter, a welcome reprieve after big climbing days. Fuel up at Thompson Cafe, where breakfast is served with a side of small-town warmth. The rail trail here heads downhill, still a rugged challenge through remnants of the region’s rail history.

In Susquehanna Depot, refuel to provide a mid-morning lift, while Hallstead makes a fine lunch stop before rolling through New Milford, where a quick resupply or even a bike shop visit keeps you dialed in for the final push.

Wrap up your day in Montrose, the county seat brimming with revolutionary-era heritage. Choose the historic Inn at Montrose or the elegant Rosemont Inn, each offering comfort steeped in charm. Dinner in town pairs well with an evening stroll past the courthouse square. Don’t miss Chocolates by Leopold, where handmade confections rival any finish-line treat, and the Susquehanna Historical Society, which ties the region’s stories together. Day 7 reminds you that bikepacking isn’t only about miles—it’s about savoring the richness of place, one town and one table at a time.

The final stage begins with anticipation—the sense of closing a great loop. From Montrose, the route plunges up and down through farmland and forest, every climb offering a farewell vista.

The LeRaysville Market provides the perfect farm snacks and deli sandwiches. Further on and down again in the valley, Wyalusing beckons with lunch at Robbie’s Pizza or a hearty stop at the historic Wyalusing Hotel, which makes a natural overnight option if you prefer to split the long day.

Don’t miss Grovedale Winery just outside of town, where the vines roll toward the horizon—a peaceful pause before the finish. From here, it’s 23 rewarding miles back into Towanda, where the Susquehanna greets you once more.

Celebrate at the Flying Taco, then toast the journey with fellow riders at a local pub. Stay at the Hatch House B&B or the Fairfield Marriott for a final night of rest. What began as an unknown adventure in Towanda now concludes as a circle completed: 430 miles of climbing, coasting, and discovery through the Endless Mountains.

Visit Endless Gravel’s website and RideWithGPS page for more routes, ride ideas, and local stories.

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

Photos by Sebastian Samek & David Landis.