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Print Friendly MapNotice: In July 2021, a storm exposed a steep drop off along one side of a portion of the trail's gorge section. As of November 2023, the washout is cordoned off with red tape and there is adequate space to navigate around it. Please exercise appropriate caution.
The Indian Creek Valley Bike and Hike Trail winds through the rugged hills in the former coal-mining region of southwestern Pennsylvania. Although remote, the trail passes through several small towns, where travelers can find food and drink at country markets and cafés. The locations of restrooms and drinking water are marked on the TrailLink map.
The trail traces the Indian Creek Valley Railroad corridor that got its start primarily hauling timber out of the mountains in 1906. The railroad soon added passenger cars to serve communities along the line. By the time the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad acquired it in 1926, lumbering had declined, but coal mining and coke production boomed.
As those industries dwindled, B&O stopped using the line in 1969, and Saltlick Township acquired the section between Champion and Indian Head for use as a trail, known today as Indian Creek Valley Bike and Hike Trail. The nonprofit Mountain Watershed Association later acquired other segments, which became the Indian Creek Valley Trail, explaining why the trail has two names.
Several miles of private property separate the main sections that comprise the 13.7-mile trail. The larger northern section runs alongside Indian Creek between Jones Mills and Indian Head. The isolated southern segment passes through scenic Indian Creek Gorge to the confluence with the Youghiogheny River. Long-range plans call for connecting these two segments and building a river crossing to link with the Great Allegheny Passage.
Alonzo Kalp Jr. Donegal Extension (1.7)
Beginning at the State Route 31/SR 381 intersection in Jones Mills, the trail runs southwest at the foot of the Roaring Run Natural Area on Laurel Ridge for about 1.5 miles to Champion on the Westmoreland–Fayette County line. Along the way, it passes a facility operated by Babcock Lumber and established during the timber-cutting boom.
In less than a mile, you’ll likely see families from the Mountain Pines Campground enjoying Indian Creek on the opposite shore. The creek also draws kayakers and rafters to its stretches of whitewater.
Saltlick Township (5.1)
Continuing seamlessly from the previous section, the trail heads south from County Line Road through the Saltlick Township to Indian Head Road. The Saltlick Township owns and manages this section of the trail.
The trail winds through the smaller communities of Champion, Melcroft, and Indian Head. At the old station stop of Melcroft (named for two mining executives), a 1-mile spur heads north and loops around a series of ponds used to treat polluted mine drainage.
About 2.5 miles south from County Line Road, the trail passes Melcroft Trestle. Formerly an abandoned railway trestle, this renovated pedestrian bridge provides a connection to a nearby park with picnic tables and restrooms. There are additional recreational areas along the route with various amenities, including more picnic tables and restrooms. There is another small park at the southern end of the trail, along with a local general store.
Indian Head Road to Route 381 (2.5 miles)
The trail heads south from Indian Head Road for another 1.5 miles, the last piece (for now) of the continuous 8ish-mile route from Jones Mills to the community of Indian Head.
Near White's Bridge, there is another trail segment. It's about a mile long and is not currently connected to any other part of the Indian Creek Valley Bike Trail. Both of the trail segments have finished surfaces and are open to the public. The rest of this trail section is still under development and additional mileage is in progress.
Normalville (0.75)
This short, out-and-back section of the trail is only accessible from its western end on Jim Mountain Road in Normalville.
Indian Creek Gorge (5.1 miles)
Paralleling Indian Creek through the woods, both ends of this trail section are currently out-and-backs. The western end is where Indian Creek meets the Youghiogheny River. The eastern end is the Steyer Bridge, a 140ft railroad bridge that was refurbished as a pedestrian bridge. Upon reaching either end, turn around and retrace your route. Neither end can be accessed directly from roads and must be reached via the trail.
Two parking areas along the route provide access to this section of the rail-trail. There is a trailhead with parking for seven cars on Killarney Road, just north of its intersection with Bottom Road and about 0.5 mile from its intersection with Mill Run Road/PA-381.
East of the Killarney Road Trailhead, there is a large new trailhead with a parking area. It is located off Mill Run Road/PA-381, just north of where the highway meets Killarney Road. Between the two trailheads, the rail-trail crosses Mill Run Road/PA-381, which is a fairly quiet two-lane road. Please exercise appropriate caution.
Heading west from the Killarney Road Trailhead, the path briefly heads north along the Mill Run Reservoir before heading west as it parallels Indian Creek. The rail-trail rolls downhill through dramatic scenery in Indian Creek Gorge to its western end where the creek joins the Youghiogheny River and the trail comes to a dead end. It is 4.05 miles from the Killarney Road Trailhead to the western end, which makes just over 8 miles round trip.
Heading east from the Killarney Road Trailhead, the rail-trail heads through the woods and crosses Mill Run Road/PA-381. Passing the new trailhead and continuing through the woods, the route returns to more closely paralleling Indian Creek until it crosses the refurbished Steyer Bridge. While crossing the bridge, enjoy panoramic views of the water. The bridge is the trail's eastern end and the bridge's northern end is blocked off as the route comes to a dead end. It is about 0.6 miles from the new Mill Run Road Trailhead to the bridge and about 1.05 miles from the Killarney Road Trailhead to the bridge.
In October 2023, the refurbished Steyer Bridge and the new trailhead on Mill Run Road opened to the public. As part of the project, the route from the new trailhead to the bridge was improved with a crushed gravel surface. This newly resurfaced section provides easy access to a calm section of Indian Creek. From both sides of the trail, there is public access to the forest and stream on Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County (MAWC) property for fishing and swimming.
Parking is available at a number of locations along the trail. View the TrailLink map for all options and detailed directions.
Nice ride along the river. We (adult and two 11 year olds) parked in Champion, in a designated area and rode south. It rained all day, but with so many trees, we did not even get wet. Relatively flat, easy ride…trail in good condition. Enjoy !
I parked in Champion and rode south to a few miles beyond Indian Head to where the trail stops. Trail was in good condition. Trail surface was on the rough side. I rode my hybrid bike, but my mountain bike is probably more suitable. Nearly 100% of the trail is in the woods and provides great shade from the sun. This would be a trail to see in the fall with the changing colors. Ought to be beautiful!
For those of you who are new to the northern section of this trail and are considering starting at Jones Mills--Don't! Go on to Champion, where parking is easy, and the trail is wide, well-marked, well-maintained, and lovely all the way into Indian Head. But if you're one of those who insists on going end-to-end, be aware that there is no parking whatsoever at the Jones Mills trailhead, which is actually right on SR31 across from the intersection with SR381. If you park where advised, a block down on the left of SR381, don't look for the bike trail head there; those trails are for hiking (as I learned the hard way). Instead, you'll need to backtrack to the intersection with SR31, cross this busy and dangerous road on foot, and search the roadside weeds for indications of the trail running down hill (with steps) from there. This trail terminus is COMPLETELY unmarked here and initially appears to be in someone's yard! If you're determined, you'll find it (as I did, with difficulty) right behind the metal highway sign directing people to the Oakhurst TeaRoom. As I later discovered from an ICVT map from one of the kiosks on the trail, this first segment from Jones Mills to Champion is actually an extension of the ICVT--the Alonzo Kalp extension--and is a narrow, poorly-maintained, grass/dirt/and limestone path with little to recommend it for the 1.7 miles to Champion, where the ICVT proper really begins. I rode that segment of the ICVT today in autumn splendor and it was a joy and made the whole trip worthwhile: Wide and pleasant crushed limestone covered with fallen leaves for the 5+ miles to Indian Head. The last 1.8 miles from Indian Head to the dead end is not well marked (I had to ask a local for directions and dog leg across the road to search out where it picks up) well used, or well maintained, so was a bit less pleasant. All-in-all an interesting Sunday afternoon in October with much beauty in the middle segment to make up for the crazy start and mediocre end.
About 17 miles of the ICVT are open north of Indian Head and west of Route 381/Camp Christian. Those two sections are in excellent shape. Unfortunately there is a five mile gap between them that is not maintained and in poor condition. This section is passable but should only be taken on by experienced trail cyclists due to rocky surface, downed trees, standing water, and deep mud. There are two former railroad bridges in this section that are structurally sound but in need of new decking and side rails.
Those who venture on to the western terminus are rewarded with spectacular views of Indian Creek Gorge and the Yough River. The return four-mile climb is strenuous but not particularly difficult due to the bike-friendly railroad grade. Thanks to the friendly EMTs at the Salt Lick Township Fire Company for letting our group hose down our muddy bikes after the ride.
The trail managers want to eventually connect the ICVT to the Great Allegheny Passage Trail across the Yough River. However this seems unrealistic since the two trails are separated by the river and active railroad tracks. A more practical plan is to extend the northern end of the trail about 10 miles into the Forbes State Forest trail system.
We started the trail across from the Saltlick Township Volunteer Fire Hall. The first gate was a little difficult to pass because one has to squeeze between the side of the closed gate and a large rock, trying to be careful not to fall in the ditch. The trail between the first gate and the second gate is nice, wide and easy to navigate. The second gate was not so easy to navigate. Over grown. Further you go on the path the less there was of one. I don't know how maintains the trail but they don't do a very good job at it.
Very very scenic nice crushed limestone path but for me a very challenging ride back , it is a steep grade the whole way down to the river.
The day after bicycling portions of the Great Allegheny Passage trail, we found Indian Creek Valley Bike Bike Trail to be a pleasant morning ride before our party went its separate ways. Lush, green, and a good surface.
My wife and rode the trail from Indian Head to Champion. It was a pleasant ride following the path of Indian Creek. The trail was a combination of crushed stone, grass and dirt. We found the trail to be generally easy to ride, but there were sections where the trail was two stone paths with grass in the middle. There was no incline on the trail to speak of, but if you like going downhill on the way back, start at Indian Head rather than Champion.
At the Champion trail head, there is a trail that continues North labelled an extension. The extension was not very well maintained and ended up on Route 31 about 3/4 mile from Jones Mill. And to get to Route 31, we had to drag our bikes up a short, but steep set of make-shift stairs. I wouldn't suggest taking the extension. We then ended up biking down Route 31 to Jones Mill.
Also, if you park at Jones Mill, to get on the trail, it's necessary to ride down Rte 711 to the Champion trail head. We like trails, not highways, but that's just us.
In summary, if you ride from Indian Head to Champion, it's a nice, pleasant ride.
From the northern point at Jones Mills to the end point you'll have a easy crushed gravel trail. However if you are looking for a little more continue on past the south end gate and follow the cinder trail. The trail seems to end on the paved Pritts Rd. There you would follow the paved road a short distance to the right past two houses on the right and find a gravel lane on the right. Walk across the wooden bridge pass the trailer and pick up the cinder trail again. Continuing south you will cross RT 653 Jim Mt Rd (also a parking area). Following the cinder trail you will come to what seems to be the beginnings of a new bridge as the steel beams you will walk on are in very new condition. Continuing south you will cross RT 381 Mill Run Rd. To your left you will see a sign for Camp Christian on Killarney Rd. At the next parking area follow the road a short distance along the west side of Mill Run Reservoir where the cinder trail veers off on your left. The trail follows Indian Creek (wrongly marked as Youghiogheny River on Google map)down the gorge and ends at the railroad tracks on the east side of the Youghiogheny River. Across the river you will see Camp Carmel and the Great Allegheny Passage at Morgan Run. The trail ends here as there is no portage across the river- maybe someday.
The ICV trail was one of the first rail-trails I rode back in 2008. The Jones Mills Extension had not been completed at that time, so with these short daylight hours, I thought it a good subject for a close trail only 22 miles from home. Yes, the two small Somerset Trust Bank lots in Champion are about the ONLY place to park near the north end of the trail. The 1.3 mile extension north of Champion is very crude, just two narrow tracks of crushed limestone, with lots of weed growth. Nevertheless the trail is smooth enough, and, south of Champion, most of the limestone cover is long gone. The JM Extension makes it right up to the south end of Jones Mills, and accessible to town at PA-31. There is a nice pizza shop on 31 at the west end of town. The trail can't go any further north, as the concrete piers are all that is left of a large bridge at the trail's northern terminus. That's a shame, because there is an interesting railroad tunnel at the railroad's former underpass of Route 31. Timber forested off Laurel Mountain exited to the B&O main via the ICV, southward, after the PW&S/Ligonier Valley RR outlet to the north closed in 1916. Heading south from Champion (We'll call that Mile 1.3), the trail is a "mild rollercoaster", but the ruling grade is definitely downhill from Champion. This trail offers a very beautiful overlook of the Indian Creek valley on its west side, with lots of interesting homes and backyards to either admire or mystify over. Classy homes, a gaggle of abandoned pickup trucks, and lots of summer camps down there. 2.8 miles south of Champion, the first railroad relic appears. The substantial, curved, steel plate girder Melcroft Trestle carries a 0.2 mile westward trail spur over to a decent-sized trail parking area on the west side of PA 381 / 711. For supplies or a snack, there is a general store just north of this highway crossing on 381 / 711. This is the most logical parking and access spot to the northern section of the trail. The ICV IS a nice, "friendly" trail, indeed a very "pleasant ride" in an unspoiled and quiet natural setting. -Rich Ballash 11/13/11
Another reviewer described the ride as "pleasant." That's exactly the word for it. The ride parallels the Indian River Creek, and is just nice. One note, the trail head off county road is easy to miss. It is directly across from the bank, immediately after the bridge. You can park at the bank during non-business hours.
"Found this delightful ride after joining a camping resort nearby. One of the nicest rides for its size I've done. Scenic, peaceful, and even well landscaped in spots. Above average! Would be nice to see it all the way to the river!"
"The ICV Trail is a pleasure for running and biking. It is not perfectly flat but has some nice gentle inclines. My six year old daughter can ride her bike beside me while I run it. Some walkers let their dogs run loose ahead of them, so keep an eye out."
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