Allegheny River Trail :
Pennsylvania
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Description:
With a wide, paved pathway and adjacent equestrian trail running through lush woodland and riverside terrain, the Allegheny River Trail (ART) has something to offer every trail enthusiast. Following a section of the Allegheny River that is part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, the 32-mile trail extends south from the Samuel Justus Recreational Trail in Franklin to Emlenton, Pa. At Emlenton there is a short gap (3 mile) to Foxburg, PA - the point where the Allegheny and Clarion rivers. From Foxburg, the trail extends another 4 miles to Parker's Landing, current end point of the ART. From this point barely six miles of gravel road seperate the ART from the 60 mile Armstrong Trail. Both trails are part of an on-going project called the Erie-Pittsburgh Trail, an effort to connect the existing trails which lie between Pittsburgh, Pa and Lake Erie.
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Parking & Trail Access:
To the Franklin trailhead: Take Route 8 North to its junction with US 322. Take US 322, which becomes 8th Street in Franklin and crosses the Allegheny River. The trailhead parking lot is on the right. The lot sign says "Samuel Justus Trail" which is the rail-trail going North from Franklin to Oil City. The Allegheny trail heads South from the parking lot. Thre is another parking area 1.5 miles east on RT 322 at the base of the Victory Heights Hill.
To the Belmar trailhead: For both the Allegheny River and Sandy Creek Trails, take Route 8 South from Franklin. Continue for three miles, turn left on Pone Lane, and pass Franklin High School. Continue to Belmar Road. Turn right on Belmar and follow the road to the trailhead parking lot at the river.
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Reviews: [1 trail ratings]
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Dotter Road entrance
By bikerHerry on March 20, 2010
Last year in April 2009 we did the Allegheny trail near Emlenton. We were RVing in a 29 ft rig. The rails to trails instruction from Google and the map from AAA told us to take Dotterer Rd. to get to the parking area near the long tunnel. What a mistake! This was a one lane dirt road up and around a mountainside with a switch back. It was rather scary! Once we got to the trail head at the edge of a tunnel it was great!! This is a very remote parking spot. There was a wonderful gentleman marking distances on the trail and we talked to him about getting out of the area without going back the road we came. He gave us some great directions and we only had to take one dirt road to get back to "civilization". I realize it wasn't really wilderness, as there were many people and homes on the dirt road. But our suggestion would be to park in Emlenton! We are going to do another section in the same area this year... hopefully we'll have a better experience getting there! :)
Directions to additional trail heads
By Debra Frawley on September 03, 2009
To Brandon: Follow PA Route 322 to Cranberry. At the intersection with Route 257 at the Cranberry Mall, turn onto the Rockland Road and drive to the Coal City Road (look for the sign). Follow this road to the river and park at the end of the road. The trail is paved in both directions. To Rockland Station: Follow the instruction to the Brandon trailhead above, but do not turn at the Coal City Road. Continue on the Rockland Road for about 3 miles to Pittsville. Turn right on the Rockland Station Road and follow it to the trail. Parking is at the location of the old Rockland Railroad Station near the north end of the Rockland Tunnel. Another remote access point is at Dotter, which is upriver from Emlenton three miles off of Dotter Road. To Emlenton: At the northern end of Main Street, the trailhead is straight ahead through the parking area. Emlenton can be reached from exit 42 on Interstate 80. Come toward town, down the hill and cross the bridge into Emlenton. Turn left at the end of the bridge and continue to the trailhead. To Foxburg: The trail begins past the restaurant at the southern end of the parking lot.
Trail complete to Kennerdell and Brandon
By vertov on July 12, 2009
This is an answer to the previously posted question:

The trail does go from Brandon to Kennerdell Tunnel uninterrupted and paved now. The trail departs from the rail right-of-way inland just a bit to go around and then meets back up with the trail. It's a short, well-marked detour and far better than having to carry your bike over the rocks!
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