The out-and-back Roaring Run is the third incarnation of this pathway. First to occupy the waterfront site was the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal towpath, which operated between 1825 and 1850. The Apollo Industrial Track was eventually built on the unused towpath, and the trains carried coal from the Leechburg Coal mining station.
Kovolchick Salvage Company of Indiana, PA, donated the right-of-way to Roaring Run Watershed Association, a group formed in 1982 to help preserve this historic area and clean up pollution from former mines. The group opened the trail in 1991.
Beginning at the parking area on Canal Road, Roaring Run parallels the Kiskiminetas River to the southeast. At mile 1.5, you can see the stone remains of canal Lock No. 15. A 16-foot-high dam once stood here; it was destroyed by a flood in 1866, but during low water some remnants are visible. About midway down the trail, you'll come to the
Rock Furnace Trail, which heads north 1.5 miles to Brownstown Road.
The trail is in excellent condition and well maintained as it meanders next to the beautiful Kiski River. It will eventually connect to the
West Penn Trail 2 miles upriver, creating a trail system from Ebensburg to Apollo.
Take the Pennsylvania Turnpike to Exit 75 for New Stanton. Follow the turnpike Route 66 extension to its end in Delmont. Follow Route 66 North from Delmont to Apollo. After crossing the bridge in Apollo, turn right on Kiski Avenue. Follow Kiski Ave. for 0.7 mile, which then turns into Canal Road. Proceed to the marked trailhead parking at the end of the road.
In 2009 the Roaring Run Trail was completed to the village of Edmon, making the trail five miles in length.
The last one mile of the trail is built upon an old logging road. This section is tar and chipped. There is a very significant climb at the Edmon ...
Just finished exploring this trail with my wife and daughter, what a wonderful trail. There are lots of rest areas to stop and take in the scenery. The trail has more than adequate parking and the trail users were all very friendly. Even with some of ...
You can visit two trails on one trip: the "Roaring Run Trail" and the "Rock Furnace Trail". The former, a 4 mile Rails-to-Trail project follows the Kiskiminetas River upstream from its ample parking area (105 vehicle parking capacity) located at the end ...