Explore the best rated trails in Johnstown, PA. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Bells Gap Rail Trail and Lower Trail. With more than 40 trails covering 4429 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Most of the surface a strange packed sand. It had rained a bit the night before and the trail was almost impossible to ride on my hybrid with 700x32 road tires. Would need a gravel/mtb/fat tire bike to ride. Disappointed because I've not seen other trails around here with this surface that makes it hard to ride.
Most of the surface a strange packed sand. It had rained a bit the night before and the trail was almost impossible to ride on my hybrid with 700x32 road tires. Would need a gravel/mtb/fat tire bike to ride. Disappointed because I've not seen other trails around here with this surface that makes it hard to ride.
This is second time doing trail with the wife. First time was a year or two ago, and in summer we were in better shape. We parked in the lot off rt 286 across from the volunteer FD.
Next 4 miles take you thru Saltsburg, past the community park and into a trail cover by trees (for the most part).
At Elders run, you make a left hand turn up the hill. This is the Dick Mayer section of trail, which is about 1 mile of "up" on mostly hard packed dirt, then 1 mile down-whee. The climb is vigorous and be ready to gear down, some small sections are pretty steep-the wife had to walk the bike a little bit. This section is combo of hard packed dirt and crushed limestone gravel. It will jolt you a bit if you dont watch out for exposed rocks, ruts, etc. I would not want to do this trail after wet weather
Once you get to the state park and Conemaugh Dam, lots to do and see. Dam overlook, dam itself, the park, people in the park etc.
Leaving the park you go down an asphalt road (pretty steep) and back up around to the bridge which takes you across the Conemaugh River. You will come to the barricaded Bow Ridge tunnel. You need to head left and up again to the Bow Ridge section of the trail. pretty steep again, very low gears, and long. Loose gravel too, so again not amenable to wet weather travel. again, the Bow Ridge section is about a mile uphill, and then a mile down to a very steep switchback that ends with steps which take you to the other end of the Bow Ridge tunnel)closed). From there you ahve about 5 miles of flat across bridges spanning the Conemaugh (first bridge surface not in good shape, will jar you pretty good) and secluded valleys between.
The trail is fun because it is different, and scenery a good mix of small city, forest, hills, a state park, the dam, steps, bridges, etc. You have to walk the bike for some sections, depending on your experience level biking.
Easy Ride on crushed stone. Trail is very flat from Clearfield to Curwensville. However, begins to climb uphill from Curwensville to Grampian. Several bridges crossing the Allegheny River and a few creeks. Most of this trail is through the woods and is shaded.
Not that hard of a trail not sure why people say it's not a good trail did 24.11 miles of it start to finish and then back to the start A+++ in my book
My wife and I started at the Muleshoe trailhead parking area. It is a pretty steep and rough climb to the trail. I tried to ride my MTN bike up but didn't make it. More my fault than the bike. My wife walked her bike up. Once on top the trial was wide and in fairly good shape. On some of the steeper grades the trail had washed out and there was a lot of lose limestone so if you have road tires be careful. We made it down to where the hiking trail and the bike trail meet up and it is all macamdem on this stretch. We turned around there and the grade up was not that bad at all. My wife stuck to the trail but I rode off to the sides with the MTN bike and that added some adventure to the climb back up. We didn't see any wild life but there was sign a bear had walked through some of the upper trail. I bought my wife an electric and she wants to go back up and try it again. Maybe we will see some wildlife then. I am replacing the road tires with trail tires though for a safer ride. If your in the area the trail is worth doing.
Deep, sloshy, watery mud track; not even a trail. What a shame the National Park hasn’t improved this area. The GAP trail going northwest toward Pittsburgh is a dream to ride.
This is a must ride trail. Gravel path is well maintained, better than many asphalt trails I've been on in fact. Trees, rivers, waterfalls, butterflies, bridges 100ft+ above the canopy, if you enjoy nature, you can't miss this trail!
From end to end this is a quality rail trail. There is so much scenery and great history of mining in Pennsylvania along this trail. No matter how you break it up, you won't be disappointed.
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