Houtzdale Line Trail:
Pennsylvania
Trail Map
  • Get Personalized Driving Directions!
  • Find Trail Side Shops with Google Search!
  • See Users’ Geocoded Photos!
  • Get a Print-Friendly Map and Get Outdoors!
Description:
The old railroad line known as the Moshannon, or the Mills Branch, crossed the Moshannon Valley during the mid- to late 1800s. The line was the foundation of the region's late 19th- and early 20th-century economy. The valley's vast reserves of coal were the object of the railroad expansion, and with the economically feasible transportation to industrial centers, mining boomed. The rail line carried sitting President Benjamin Harrison when he toured the coal fields in the surrounding area and addressed the citizens at the Houtzdale Station. The history of coal mining in the area is noticeable from the trail as it passes remnants of the industry. Interpretive signage along the trail commemorates significant historical structures and events.

Purchased from Conrail in 1994 following its disuse, the corridor was converted to a multi-use path to preserve the land as a public asset. The trail is lined with hedgerows of multiflora and other deciduous shrubs. The entire length of the Houtzdale Line Trail is open for use with nearly 8 miles of improved surface from the Muddy Run Bridge west of State Route 2005 at Smoke Run to State Route 2007 just west of Osceola Mills. The trail has been graded, compacted and marked with mileposts. The extreme east and west ends of the trail remain in rough condition but are useable by hikers, mountain bikers and cross-country skiers. The best access point is at the trail center in Houtzdale.

Beyond Ramey and Houtzdale, the trail traverses natural areas of wetlands, upland forest and stream corridor with an abundance of wildlife and native plants.

... Click to read more
Parking & Trail Access:
To reach the trail crossing in Houtzdale from Interstate 99, take 453 North to Viola and turn onto 153 North. (From I-80 take the Clearfield Exit for Route 879 South to 153 South). Park behind the BiLo Supermarket on Route 53 east of Houtzdale. On-street parking is available in Houtzdale and in Ramey on streets running parallel to the trail off State Route 453. A marked parking lot is now located off State Route 2005 in Smoke Run.

... Click to read more
... Click to read more
Reviews: [1 trail ratings]
[View all reviews for this trail]
[register/login to Submit a Review of this Trail]
Very Nice!
By ryweston in July, 2010
I rode this trail last week and enjoyed the beautiful views and riding through Ramey. Everyone was pretty friendly along the path. The trail is very nice constructed and well thought out. The grade coming from Smoke Run isn't too bad and provided a great workout. I highly recommend this trail to anyone. Enjoy!
interesting
By sharvan in August, 2009
Rode from Smoke Run to trails end. It was a rainy day.
If you have the right maps, then you should have no problem finding the trailheads and parking.
I found the trails end interesting as it is clear that this line has been "banked" for possible future use. Some rails remain at the junction across the road from the endpoint. The line there is still in use. I enjoyed exploring the area.
The unimproved trail is not so bad. Just take it easy and watch out for the larger stone.
Stop now and then to look around and you will see swamps, wetlands, lowlands, and a meandering stream that all add to the character of the trail.
In Ramey and Houtzdale you will ride through peoples back yards. It's neat and clean too. The trail is maintained by various businesses with signs naming them.
The varied nature of the trail make it a very interesting ride.
Note that the map on this web site does not show the trail extending west of Smoke Run. It does in fact extend half way to Madera. I didn't ride that section.
Early-spring on the Houtzdale
By bbeabout in April, 2008
Went out there on a Saturday morning (4/12/08) with my wife and toddler. As the previous post says, the Bi-Lo mentioned on this site (and in the PA Rails Guidebook 10th Ed.) is no longer there. There is another grocery store right by the trailhead, I forget the name. We parked there, but you actually have to ride out of town one block (towards the tanning place) and you can see the trail sign behind there. The 1/2 miles part going through Houtzdale was neat, lots of signage and things to see. The trail surface was limestone, and hard packed for easy pedaling. Because the wind was picking up and it looked like rain, we only made it about 2.0-2.5 miles to where the trail crosses 253 near Kendrick. After that, the trail got very sandy and the clouds got pretty ominous so we turned back to Houtzdale.

It's an easy 45 minute drive from State College/Bellefonte, so that's why we picked this trail. It wasn't the most exciting one we've been on, but I'd like to go back and finish it sometime.
Browse Trails by Activity: