Clarion-Little Toby Creek Trail:
Pennsylvania
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Description:
This picturesque trail meanders along the Wild and Scenic Clarion River and Little Toby Creek through Elk and Jefferson counties between the charming small towns of Ridgway and Brockway. Tree cover provides shade in the summer months. As you follow the trail, you are treated to spectacular mountain scenery and river vistas, possible wildlife sightings (deer, wild turkeys, herons, eagles) and signs describing the area's history. You even cross Little Toby Creek on a swinging bridge.

The trail uses the former Clearfield to Ridgway Rail Company corridor, built in 1886 to transport lumber and coal from mills to markets but which also provided popular passenger service between Ridgway and Falls Creek. After the line ceased operation in the 1960s, Penn Central bought the corridor and ran trains there until 1968. The rail-trail opened in 1992.

Beginning in Brockway, this serene 18-mile trail travels through some true Pennsylvania wilderness and wildlands. The landscape is reminiscent of scenes from a James Fenimore Cooper novel. As the trail travels north, it follows Little Toby Creek through lush forested hills and breathtaking views of the wild creek. A little beyond the halfway point you reach the confluence of the Little Toby Creek and the Clarion River. The trail follows the banks of the Clarion River until it reaches the endpoint in the town of Ridgway.

NOTE:A 1.8-mile section of trail runs adjacent to a live railroad line, so use caution in this spot. The trail is located near the Allegheny National Forest. During hunting season, wear bright clothing—a fluorescent orange vest is best—and remain on the trail at all times.

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Parking & Trail Access:
To reach the Brockway trailhead from I-80, take Route 219 North into Brockway. Turn left onto Main Street then right onto 7th Avenue. The trailhead is just past the community pool.

To reach the Ridgway trailhead from I-80, take State Route 219 North to State Route 948 (Main Street) in Ridgway. Follow 948 through town and turn left on Water Street, just before Love's Canoe and Keystone Hardware. Continue one block to the trailhead.

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Seasonal Restrictions:
Most of the trail is on Game Commission land so it is recommended that you wear orange during the fall and spring hunting seasons.
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Reviews: [3 trail ratings]
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Enjoyable trail
By acullen in October, 2011
My husband and I rode about 16 miles total on this trail beginning in Ridgeway. It's very scenic as October is peak foliage for fall color. The surface is packed gravel and fairly flat, so it's an easy ride.
Loved the Clarion-Little Toby Creek Trail
By arneson in May, 2011
My wife and I rode a portion of the Clarion-Little Toby Creek Trail (starting in Brockway, riding about 6.5 miles to the swinging bridge) on May 14, 2011. The trail is in very good condition, and we both had a great time. We look forward to returning to ride the entire trail!
Gorgeous trail , Spring, Summer and Fall
By jeffpa in January, 2011
This trail has beautiful scenery, is peaceful , not a lot of heavy traffic of cyclists or walkers. I've read other users say the trail along the railroad tracks is not very scenic, as I found out the first time I rode on it. A friend of mine likes to take the game commission road to route 949 and ride two miles or so on the road towards Ridgway, the scenery is a lot nicer if you don't mind the occasional car traffic. There is a place to re-enter the trail on the left side of the road just past a hunting and fishing campground. The best time of the year to visit is in the fall during the first and second week of october when the foliage is at peak color. The only thing I wish they had more of along the trail was porta- johns or bathroom facilities, as the only ones are at the trailheads or in the towns of Brockway or Ridgway, so if you gotta go real bad it's gonna be a long 18 miles. Other than lack of facilities, I would recommend this trail to anyone , for its scenery, easy grade for cyclists and peaceful surroundings.
Here's the swinging bridge everybody was mentioning.  We stopped for awhile and caught some little fish.
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Water St. at Center St. (Ridgway) to Taylor Park, 7th Ave. (Brockway)
Counties: Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson
Trail Length: 18 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Crushed Stone, Dirt
Trail Activities: Fishing, Mountain Biking, Walking, Cross Country Skiing
TrailLink ID: 6017063

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