Poe Paddy Tunnel

These are four photos of the Poe Mountain Tunnel, better know as the Poe Paddy Tunnel, taken in 2011. The tunnel, initially part of the Lewisburg and Tyrone Rail Road, is near what was the logging community of Poe Mills in the 1880s, now within Poe Paddy State Park. The tunnel is approached from the west on a curved trestle that crosses Penns Creek, a well known trout stream. That tunnel entrance is a rough opening in Poe Mountain. It exits on the east side of the mountain through a stone faced portal onto a rail-trail that after a couple of miles turns into Rt 3002 in Millmont, Union County. The tunnel is over 260 ft long with a rough-cut interior. It is used by anglers, hikers (it is part of the Mid-State Trail), and bicyclists. It was closed in 2013 for safety reasons and re-opened in 2015 after the trestle was resurfaced and repairs were completed to the tunnel. The visible tunnel repair is a new plug wall on the east end to prevent vehicle traffic. It has a larger oval opening for people than the one pictured below, as well as an upper rectangular opening for the bats that populate the tunnel. A few miles northeast on the former rail path is the similar Beaver Damn Tunnel, better known as the Coburn Tunnel because it is near Coburn, Centre County. Sand Mountain Road off US 322 at Seven Mountains winds back to Poe Mills, intersecting with other forest roads, so a map (e.g., Google Map) is suggested. The hike along the former rail line across the trestle, through the tunnel and along the rail-trail is very enjoyable. Don't forget a flashlight so you can see the tunnel walls and ceiling. On the return trip, after re-crossing the trestle, you can continuing walking north among the former rail line through what remains of Poe Mills.