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    Sandy Creek Trail

    5.0 (4 reviews)

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    Clarion Highlands Trail

    Clarion Highlands Trail

    5.0(1 review)
    31.6 km

    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.

    East Branch Trail - Looking up Main Street, Ashley's bar on the left and the Dutch Treat Restaurant on the right.

    East Branch Trail

    4.0(2 reviews)
    48.9 km

    This is a very nice trail located in Amish Country which runs North and South of the small town of…read moreSpartansburg. It is named after the East Branch of Oil Creek, which it follows. The trail-head is located in town next to the Dutch Treat restaurant, and is also next to Clear Lake (There is a bridge so you can walk over and view the dam). The trail is not very long, but the natural scenery makes this a worthwhile visit. I have ridden this trail on numerous occasions, and have seen lots of wildlife, including one time, where I saw a bear cross the trail. Sometimes there are Amish horse and buggies using the trail also. P.S. I had no signal in the town of Spartansburg, so I was unable to check-in there, but near the end of the trail near Sportsmans Road I did have a signal, so I was able to check in there.

    It's a trail. I don't know what attributes a trail needs to be well rated. It's 6 miles long and…read morecrosses a big road and a couple smaller roads (with no signals). There are snakes and mosquitoes because you're near a murky mud puddle they (ironically?) call Clear Lake and a swamp. The length of it is paved. Alongside the pavement there's grass on one half and gravel on the other half of the length. There are a couple of benches. There is aggressive signage that's all kinds of pissy with buggy drivers about how "we'll close this gate if you amish keep using this trail for driving..." or something similarly sh*tty that seemed uninviting, prejudiced and unnecessary. There are no trash receptacles except at the very beginning of the trail so if you walk your dog be ready to carry your poop bag the whole way. Also, bikes are allowed on the trail so keep an eye out.

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    East Branch Trail
    East Branch Trail
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    Samuel Justus Trail

    Samuel Justus Trail

    4.0(2 reviews)
    9.6 km

    The Samuel Justus Trail is a 6 or 7 mile long extension of the Allegheny River Trail. Paralleling…read morethe Allegheny River, it's a rails-to-trails conversion that connects Oil City with Franklin. It's a part of the Allegheny Valley Trails Association system, and using the Allegheny River Trail, it connects with the Sandy Creek Trail. Because it's a rails-to-trail, most of the grades are relatively easy. The entire system is paved, so you don't need a trail or mountain bike in order to ride. That suited me and my husband Rick just fine. We have mountain bikes but we were itching to take our roadbikes out for a spin. We did an approximately 40 mile bike ride, using a combination of the Samuel Justus, the Allegheny, and the Sandy Creek Trails. We rode from approximately Oil City to the State Gamelands via Franklin. Oil Creek is a great place to start your ride on this trail because there are stores and services available if you need them. The trail begins at the corner of West Front Street and Wyllis Street. The address I gave you above is approximate. To reach the trail from Downtown Oil Creek, cross the Allegheny River on the Petroleum Street Bridge. Continue to the second light, and head right on West 1st Street. Continue about 1.5 miles to trailhead parking on the right. The ride out on the trail itself is a pleasant one along the bank of the Allegheny River. It follows the roadbed of the former Allegheny Valley Railroad. It goes through some beautiful woodlands as it makes its way west and south. Halfway between Oil City and Franklin is the historic River Ridge Farm and Mansion. It was once home of the late Senator Joseph P. Sibley who made his fortune in the oil industry. The gates to the farm remain standing. The servant's quarters are visible through the gates. If you have time, you may be able to take a tour of the farm and mansion. The trail then becomes the Allegheny River Trail and continues towards Foxburg and Emlenton. Once past Franklin, the curves and begins heading east as it's still making its way south. It then curves directly to the south where it meets up with one of the scenic highpoints, the spectacular Belmar Bridge. This bridge once carried another rail company's tracks across the Allegheny River Valley. Today it carries the Sandy Creek Trail http://www.yelp.com/biz/sandy-creek-trail-franklin#hrid:sCjn0qRUbShs-nMMyq3tlA/src:self and you can connect between the two. But the connection is via a staircase, so it was to our advantage having our lighter roadbikes along. I suggest you roll your bike up the wooden bermway as you walk up or down the parallel staircase. Rick and I then continued our ride on the Sandy Creek Trail. The Samuel Justus Trail is a very useful connector trail, especially if you are using the other trails in the area. Its scenery isn't as majestic as some of the other trails, but it's certainly a pleasant ride. If you are riding between Franklin and Oil City, it's not as isolated as some of the other trails. Just remember that once you are beyond Franklin, and especially if you are continuing on either the Sandy Creek or Allegheny River Trails, it does start to get more remote. As always, I strongly recommend that you make sure your bike is in tip-top mechanical shape. Also I strongly recommend having adequate water, snacks, tire repair kit, chain tool, mini air pump & cel phone with you.

    Beautiful trail. You can easily see the Allegheny River on…read moreyour right/left (depending which way you're going) and it stretches a long way from Franklin to Oil City. Very long road. Not as isolated, so I don't frequent this trail while I'm in the area. (I love isolated trails). As I said, it goes a ways, so make sure your bike (if you have one) is in good shape and especially if you're walking, wear good shoes. Bring water and snacks. The nice thing is, you can walk up a steep hill to get to an ice cream shop. Open in summer. Other than that, there's not much. Aside from the hill with wild plants, there's the river as I said which truly is peaceful. There are benches in which you can sit and relax (may I add, it's in the shade which is so nice, as the trail has no shade whatsoever besides that). Oh yeah, and if you like graffiti here's a haven for ya. (please don't paint obscenities as little kids are often there, and families). If you are coming up on the highway, next to the bicycle shop (which is on the corner of 322 and Bredinsburg Road), there's another path to the trail which you take if you're walking there. Turn to your left and there'll be a bridge. Not many people have spraypainted there yet, but hey more room. (Yeah, I'm not really condoning this. Don't hold me responsible. Honestly I don't recommend graffiti there, but if that's what you like to do, hey.....) All in all, it's a nice trail. But honestly, I'd recommend Two Mile Run. Oh, and at the very end of town (drive down Liberty, going past 322 and toward the boat launch and the Joy), at the "No Outlet" sign at the end of Liberty, to your left is River Dr. There's a sign. It's a private road but you can walk down it, I have. Don't mess with anything, it's a beautiful riverfront drive with beautiful homes. Go by yourself and appreciate it. Don't bring a crowd as it's not a tourist attraction or an official trail. Just a nice area, not one to frequent with friends. By yourself, occasionally. Many waterfalls and streams on the hillside. The big rock thing is there too.

    Sandy Creek Trail - hiking - Updated May 2026

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