Explore the best rated trails in Altoona, PA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Bells Gap Rail Trail and Shuster Way Heritage Trail . With more than 29 trails covering 271 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Please make sure you have bike lights, flashlights etc… those tunnels are dark!!
I just rode the trail 11 Oct 2025- shortly after the new Sideling Hill Trailhead grand opening a couple of weeks ago. I utilized the PA Turnpike to drive up from Harrisburg area- very easy and trouble free- just know that afterward you have to drive another 10 miles UP the turnpike to turn around and head back to Harrisburg....ugh 20 additional miles, even though both East and West bound have access to the Sideling Hill Rest Stop. Trail Head had really nice bike servicing equipment and picnic tables- Lots of food options at Rest stop- everything you need after 20 mile ride- Burgers and Pizza!! Leaving the rest stop- you ride a service road that is open to bikers (Mountain House Road). You then come to a 4 way stop- Make a left on North Hess Road- you will see a old farm/log cabin house on your right (see my pictures)- go straight this road will turn in to Pump Station Road- ride for about 1/4 of a mile do not turn on the first unmarked road on your right- go to the second road on your right just after the first one- look for a mail box- there is a home that shares the access- ride past home and you will be at the TOPP Trail- you will see cement road barriers on your left- this is the entrance to the trail- Enjoy your ride for the next 8 miles or so. The first tunnel you reach is about 1.5 miles up- This one is long and dark maybe a mile long. The second one is shorter. The trail is rough in sections due to the blacktop being torn up- if your a Pennsylvanian- this a typical PA road LOL potholes! Beware if you are with children or offend easily- There is a TON of Graffiti and things that will make a sailor blush (I used to be in the Navy). There is some really talented art work along the ride though. I would recommend mountain bikes or gravel bikes- my bike has 45MM tires and I rode with 35 psi which I thought was perfect for the rough areas. This trail was "Creepy Cool" and a perfect ride for a fall day and Halloween around the corner!
Perfect day for a ride and on the first day of Fall. Trail and views were breathtaking!
Did this trail this afternoon. Ride on the roads for short distances. Signs point where to go. Rode around IUP campus for awhile. Would do again if it was not so far from home (1hr or so)
We live near this trail & ride it often (as well as the GAP). We decided to use the spur at Werhum & see how the new bridge is coming along to complete the "loop" everyone is waiting for. We discovered new signage (THANK YOU RTT!) and found a new spur through the woods to a small lake / large pond that we never knew as there. Awesome state park attached. Then met a guy on the trail who informed us that Nov. 2025 the loop should be done for GTT. This trail is fantastic. A golden nugget for a big ride day. We did 39 miles and didnt complete it all. Coming down hill from Nanty Glo is always a treat, but there has been some trail dammage and is well marked for that. They have improved it alot from early spring rides!! But still be aware its there. Enjoy!
This was a good trail, but the length shown is only including the improved part of the trail. I found the trail on this app and was biking to it from the north at Montauk Circle. This put us at the unimproved end first, which was ok, but had larger stone and skinny trails. We faired ok, but I think road bikes would have difficulty. It clocked almost 5 miles total from end to end. It was a little disheartening to get to the end and see it’s quite literally up hill both ways from there on the McKee/Clinton bike path. Still we love an adventure and the trial was fun, and if you hit Tofttrees just right the beer cart will be there for a water or Gatorade!
The trail is in good shape. They have completed an extra few miles at the end that are fully paved. There are many benches to sit and multiple entry points. There is a brief ride on streets. The bathroom works and there a a few port o potties. I liked it
I try to bike here every year and look forward to the added 2 miles or so connecting Red Cut to Saxton. Riders should note it's not the smoothest trail, the section north of Tatesville is 4 miles of slight uphill southbound that taxes in the summer heat, and if you like human interaction you will be disappointed. Also, when passing though Hopewell, remember this, I HOPE I can find the trail, WELL, I guess I'll just ride until I find it. The southern end is indeed down a nondescript gravel road off Rt 915 leading to Coopers Sawmill Rec area and a private seasonal camp. The northern end continues from Broad St, and in any event the town is so tiny you won't get completely lost. So enjoy the solitude this hidden trail can provide, and if you like busy paved trails, then Pittsburgh has much to offer you.
The trail was ok. My goal was to do the full trail 32 miles out and 32 miles back (Blacklick to Ebansburg), however the incline heading east was more than I could take on a very hot day so I turned around at mile 22. There were a lot of signage explaining towns that were once in a location. I think I pictured in my mind these abondoned towns were there were at least foundations left or something. It got boring after a while. Glad I did it, don't need to do it again.
Nice trail, a tree down across the trail about 4 miles up from parking lot when I'm writing this.
We stayed in Punxsutawney and could access the trail from our B and B. We rode east to Winslow, an uphill grade but doable on our e-bikes. Saw chipmunks, squirrels and a very long black snake crossing the trail. After a break for lunch in town we rode west to the Fordham trailhead. Several interesting sights along the way- the coke ovens, a couple Minions and another snake. The trail is wide 8-12’ with a cinder surface with no roots or potholes the whole length. Total 16 miles on a shady trail, sometimes along the Mahoning Creek. I bet it’s gorgeous in the Fall.
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