Butler - Freeport Trail, Butler County
submitted by Richard Nugent

The Butler-Freeport Trail is a "Rails to Trails" path, which starts in Freeport and currently covers 15 of the 20 miles to Butler. It follows Buffalo Creek and then Little Buffalo Creek. The section, centered on mile 7 is quite scenic and provides habitat for a variety of breeding birds including Worm-eating Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Kentucky Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush and the expected woodland birds. This is also a wonderful trail for wildflowers, with many rare plants.

Directions: (borrowed from the Botanical Society of Western Pennsylvania). From Pittsburgh, take PA 28 north to Exit 17 (PA356/Butler/Freeport). At the end of the ramp, head west or north on PA 356. After roughly 3.5 miles, turn right onto Sarver Road (SR2018) at a traffic light. Drive about 0.5 miles on Sarver Road, traveling down a hill. After crossing a creek (Little Buffalo Creek) and passing a volunteer fire department on the left, turn left into the bike trail parking area.

This parking area is near the center of the currently completed trail and has a portable toilet.