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    Mahoning Shadow Trail

    4.0 (1 review)

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    Sandy Creek Trail - Gorgeous rails to trails paved bike route. 24 mile round trip through some amazing scenery!!

    Sandy Creek Trail

    5.0(4 reviews)
    50.9 mi

    One of the prettiest bike rides I've ever taken! This amazing rails to trail fully paved bike path…read moreis 24 miles round trip through some truly spectacular scenery and woodlands. The largest of 7 wooden bridges along the path spans the Allegheny River and the smaller ones cross several creeks. What you don't see are any roads along this gorgeous wilderness path. There is a slight upward grade during much of the 12 miles from Fishermans Cove to the end of the line - the good news is it's nearly imperceptible until you turn around and head back. You feel like you're flying on your return trip which is really fun! This area is the definition of remote so go prepared with food, water & flat tire supplies. There's decent cell service, so bring your phone. There is also a fairly long tunnel mid-trail with reflectors down the center. A light would likely make you feel a tad more comfortable on a cloudy day. The reflectors work decently to direct you on a sunny day. This bike trail is located slightly over an hour north of Cranberry Township. Google map Seneca Hills Bible Camp which is where you turn off Old Route 8 off I-80. At the T heading to the Bible Camp you head right to Fisherman's Cove to the trailhead. If you're interested in more information and specific directions, here is a link: www.avta-trails.org ' sandy-creek-trail

    Wow. This is a spectacular trail!! Such a pleasant ride through the woods crossing the river and…read morecreek multiple times on a paved surface. I don't even know how they managed to get blacktop back into some of these remote areas but they did!! It's mostly shaded as well so even on hot days this would be a great choice when you just want to ride! We started at the western end of the trail called Fisherman's cove. A little tricky to find and accessible by a gravel road about 3 miles off old route 8. Parking here is limited and is roadside so I can imagine it getting pretty crowded on weekends. But it is so worth it. The eastern end is 12 miles out at Van. The ride back seemed a lot quicker since there appears to be a minor downhill heading back although it is an easy ride in both directions. The fact that it's quite remote means there are no road crossings so you can just ride completely carefree!! If you feel up to it you can extend the ride by joining up with other rails to trails and make a long day out of it!! We absolutely loved it and will no doubt be heading back there this fall to enjoy the ride and the scenery! Highly recommended!!

    Photos
    Sandy Creek Trail - The turn around point where the paved trail ends - or you could start here

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    The turn around point where the paved trail ends - or you could start here

    Lower Trail - Lower Trail

    Lower Trail

    5.0(2 reviews)
    57.4 mi

    By far the best! The service, atmosphere, the food! You get that small town hospitality that it's…read moreknown for. It's the only ice cream place in Williamsburg and they get a good many people from different areas (furthest I met lived in Ebensburg!) just for their tasty food! The owners are so down to earth and take their time with each and every customer. They don't rush you or look overwhelmed. They employ a good many high schoolers, personally I never had a problem with any of them they are just like the owners. A few years ago they put a car port with tables up which is nice! There's also another seating facing the river, a pravillion, and many other shady seating. The trail is right beside them it's my favorite part of Williamsburg. The river sound and shade can make you lose track of time peaceful and certain areas have beaches to picnic or swim. A hot summer day here will make the life stresses leave. With lower trail you'll never stop going it's worth it all.

    This is a well maintained trail winding through the woods along the Frankstown Branch of the…read moreJuniata River and made over an old railroad bed so it's nice and flat for the most part. It goes from Alexandria, PA to Williamsburg, PA and a bit beyond. It's great for biking, horseback riding or just walking. You can park at the Alfarata Station in Alexandria or at the Water Street Flea Market, or at the Flowing Spring Station if you're coming from the other direction. There are four other stations along the way.

    Photos
    Lower Trail - The Old Canal

    The Old Canal

    Lower Trail - Lower Trail

    Lower Trail

    Lower Trail - Lower Trail Alfarata Entrance

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    Lower Trail Alfarata Entrance

    Coal and Coke Trail

    Coal and Coke Trail

    4.5(2 reviews)
    58.8 mi

    The Coal & Coke Trail is a neat little biking and hiking trail in Westmoreland County connecting…read moreMount Pleasant with Scottdale. A mere 5 miles in length, it's one of the few Rails-to-Trails I hadn't covered yet. Really, I couldn't justify the time or gas money to do a 10 mile round trip bike ride. A 10 mile hike is of course another story! And that's just what I did as part of my employer's wellness program. I planned the whole thing and of course headed up the hardy group of hikers able to complete the entire 10 mile round trip. The trail begins and ends in city parks at both ends. We began at Willows Park in Mount Pleasant. The address I gave you above is the parking lot and it's based on information from www.traillink.com Drinking water and restrooms are available in the park, but the restrooms appear to be closed in winter. We began by working our way southbound. The trail was built on the roadbed of a Pennsylvania RR branch. As ts name implies, the railroad hauled coke ad coal over the line. The railroad was abandoned for many years, however after 8 years of planning, the trail opened in 2007. Upon leaving town, we hiked through some scenic wooded areas to the town of Bridgeport. At one point we noticed the trail paralleling an active rail line. The forest here is old growth and we crossed one of a few small streams. Beyond the town of Bridgeport, we again entered the woodlands while paralleling Jacobs Creek. Curving to the west as we approached Scottdale, we arrived at the scenic high point of the day. The sewage treatment plant. Yep! The trail even goes through plant's parking lot and is routed onto Sewage Treatment Lane! Well no worries--we crossed Old US 119 and then ducked under the new highway before entering our last stretch of woodlands. Part of the trail is incomplete at Scottdale, so we had to walk down Mildred Street , Bessemer Street, and Mt. Pleasant Road (they're actually all the same street) before reaching Kendi Park. The trail resumes briefly here but this was our rest stop and turnaround point. So this is a pleasant and relatively easy trail to hike or bike. Just remember, there aren't any places to obtain food or water along the path, so be sure to bring adequate supplies of each.

    Great place to walk. You can choose to challenge yourself or take it easy. Got lots of great pics…read moreas well

    Photos
    Coal and Coke Trail - Quaint short trail.. Very nice

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    Quaint short trail.. Very nice

    Clarion Highlands Trail

    Clarion Highlands Trail

    5.0(1 review)
    32.5 mi

    Please note that the address shown isn't either end of the trail, nor is it the trailheads. It's…read morebased on the Trail Link maps of where the parking is at the east end. And it's not even close to where my husband Rick and I began our ride on the trail. Anyway, the Clarion Highlands Trail is part of a network of bike trails centered around the Oil City/Franklin/Emlonton/Polk, PA areas. The cluster of trails includes the Sandy Creek Trail, the Allegheny River Trail, the Samuel Justus Trail, as well as this one. You can ride them in any and all combinations for a truly fascinating ride. I should let you know that the Clarion Highlands Tail is the roughest of them all. The trail is not only the highest in Pennsylvania, it's also in many places a dirt trail with only ruts to bike through. And it's not always well marked. A good map or your GPS will help while cycling. And a mountain bike is an absolute must--no other bike can traverse this trail in places. Finally, the trail is isolated and only experienced cyclists, or newbies with a guide, should attempt it. But if you are an experienced cyclist, the trail is a very rewarding ride. My husband Rick and I combined it with a trip on the Sandy Creek Trail. We began our ride on the Sandy Creek Trail and headed east out of the junction with the Samuel Justus Trail and the Allegheny River Trail. We saw some restrooms at the junction. If you're beginning your trip on the Sandy Creek Trail like we were, better stop here. These are the only restrooms on the trip. The segment on the Sandy Creek Trail was easily the easiest on the trip. The trail is paved all the way and it's the most scenic. About 2/3rds the way between the trail junctions and Cranberry Rockland Road, we passed through a couple of tunnels. But so much for the Sandy Creek Trail--this review is after all about the Clarion Highlands Trail. We reached the trail at Lake to the Seas Highway/28th Division Highway. As I mentioned before, here the trail turns more difficult. While this is a rails-to-trails conversion, I've been unable to determine the history of the route. You should also be aware that a lot of the bridges that used to carry the rail tracks across the local roads have been removed. There are some very steep downgrades at these crossings. Just after picking up from the Sabdy Creek Trail, the Clarion Highlands Trail passes south of State Gamelands #45. It heads along in an ESE direction, passing a golf course before coming up to one of the trailheads. At Ashland, PA it passes Phipps Cemetery, near Elmo, PA. This is the highest point on the trail, some 1,472 feet above sea level. From there it curves into a NE direction before turning east. A couple miles east is the aforementioned parking lot, but Rick and I toughed it out another mile or so to the end. Oh and the trail ends in the middle of nowhere at a side road. So after a rest stop here, we headed back and while I enjoyed the ruggedness of the trail, I was sure glad to get back to some pavement on the Sandy Creek Trail. Anyway, this is a very rewarding ride but again, it isn't for the faint of heart. If you do decide to take it, please take the necessary preparations. 1) As usual, make sure you and your bike are in tip-top condition. 2) Make sure you either bring a good map or a GPS. The trail is poorly marked. It's path isn't always obvious. 3) Make sure you bring plenty of water and snacks (especially if you're a diabetic like I am). There are no places anywhere along the trail to obtain them. Dried fruits, nuts, apples, Cliff Bars, raisins, and peanut butter sandwiches travel well. 4) Make sure you have a tire repair kit, mini pump, and a chain tool. 5) A mountain bike is a necessity. 6) It's a fun trail. Have fun.

    Mahoning Shadow Trail - mountainbiking - Updated May 2026

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