Hoodlebug Trail:
Pennsylvania
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Description:
The Hoodlebug Trail follows the abandoned Indiana Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad. The line was completed in 1856 and extended north from Blairsville to Indiana. 'Hoodlebug' was the local nickname given to the self-propelled passenger coach that ran on the line until 1940.
The trail corridor has played an important role in the region for many years: as part of an extensive network of Native American trails, as a PRR branch line, and now as a pedestrian and bicycle trail.
Today the trail, surfaced in part with highway millings provided by a partnership between Indiana County Parks and PennDOT District 10, provides transportation options and recreational opportunities along the historic corridor. Improvements include a 60-foot trail underpass. In 2005 three miles were added to the trail as part of the Route 119 highway improvement project.
Deciduous trees provide a fine canopy on hot summer days. The trail is used by workers and students traveling to and from Indiana. Passing by rural and suburban homes along the RT 56 corridor, as the trail crosses into Cambria County on the southern end, it parallels the Two Lick Creek and takes on a more park like setting.
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Parking & Trail Access:
To the Floodway Park trailhead in Homer City: Homer City is located five miles south of Indiana. From PA Route 119, turn onto PA Route 56 West. Turn right onto Main Street in Homer City and continue to Floodway Park. A parking area is on the right. Park amenities include restrooms (closed during winter months), a pavilion, picnic tables, and a playground. The trailhead is left of the parking lot.

To the Red Barn trailhead in Homer City:
Homer City is located five miles south of Indiana. From PA Route 119, take Route 56 West in Homer City. Turn left on Main Street. Turn right on Kassal Street and continue to Red Barn Road. Turn right then quickly turn left onto Boosters Drive. The Red Barn Access Area is on the right.

The north side of the trail above Homer City is wheelchair accessible with a slight grade. The southern half of the trail has grades exceeding 5%.
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Reviews: [0 trail ratings]
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semi-suburban trail
By Brian Clark on September 01, 2006
"I've ridden this trail several times over the years, and most recently this year after riding on the Heshbon section of the Ghost Town Trail. The trail will link with the Ghost Town Trail at Saylor Park in the town of Black Lick, but as of July 2006 there is a short unfinished ""missing link"" from the park and under the Route 119 bridge that is supposed to link the two trails together. I rode from Saylor Park and turned left up the Old Indiana Road, and went for about a mile or so to where the road crosses Route 119, and crossed over there. Route 119 is a 55mph 4-lane road, and is dangerous to cross...hence the underpass that they are planning to have cross under it near the park.

The newest south section of the trail from near Black Lick up to the Homer City Legion baseball field is around 3.5 miles long. This section of the trail runs along the west side of Route 119's south-bound lane, and is up on the embankment and parallel to the highway. This section is kind of a semi-course pavement that looks similar to a tar-and-chip road treatment...not as smooth or as ""fast"" as regular asphalt but still OK for a roadbike. Since this section is right next to the highway, it passes right across people's driveways, and various road intersections.

In Homer City you have to make a left turn on to the public street, near the BiLo supermarket, and ride for about a block to re-connect with the trail heading north. Leaving Homer City and heading north the trail still runs parallel to Rt.119, but is farther away from it and is more secluded in some places. Mostly the trail runs past various neighborhoods, and through short wooded sections. Along the way the trail passes over a few short bridges over creeks, and under a railroad trestle.

It's 6 miles for this section of trail from the Homer City baseball field, up until the trail ends in the parking lot of the IUP campus near the football field.

Overall it's a pretty nice trail, but it's more of a suburban trail, since it goes through towns and crosses various roads along it's length. It's not a secluded ""out in the woods"" type of trail like the nearby Ghost Town Trail. One thing that I did notice about it was that the surface seems to have gotten ""lumpier"" over the years in some places, probably due to frost heaves or tree roots under the surface. "
Nice Trail
By Will Radell on September 21, 2003
This is a very nice trail although it could use more restroom facilities. The trail will soon link up to the Ghost Town Trail at Dilltown.
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