Explore the best rated trails in Johnstown, PA, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Ghost Town Trail and Bells Gap Rail Trail . With more than 40 trails covering 4444 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.
If you have researched the GAP at all, you already know this was among the first trails inducted into the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Hall of Fame. Many riders continue to go back to ride it again. That speaks volumes to the experience of riding this trail. If you are an end-to-end rider, and not a camper, you will need accommodations. I would like to highly recommend Cardinal's Roost B&B in Rockwood, PA. You will not find more amiable hosts than Jennifer and Chris. The accommodations are spotless, comfortable, and tastefully decorated. The breakfast is out of a 5-star restaurant. They have a huge garage to store your bikes with plenty of space to do maintenance if need be. Jennifer and Chris are bicyclists themselves so they understand needs of cyclists. If passing through Rockwood on the GAP or just enjoying the beautiful scenery, you cannot go wrong with Cardinal’s Roost.
That is Red Cut, not Red Rut. My husband says the best part of the trail is Red Cut. If you stand there long enough you can almost hear the trains coming. Make sure you read the plaque there.
We started out at Dilltown and the washout starts at about Wehrum and continues off and on until you almost reach Belsano. From Nanty Glo to Ebensburg, the trail is good.
Took the bikes one way then back. Flat and level with one small hill. Good condition with some areas with small gravel.
Rode from Cumberland to a parking area 23 miles outside of DC, camping at four of the campsites along the way. They have been doing a lot of work to improve the condition of this trail and it shows. Weather was perfect, but most sections seemed like they would still be pretty good even after some rain. There was one detour that was a tough push over really rocky roads for a few miles. Other than that, it was perfect.
I wish it was longer!!!! Excellent ride and beautiful ride along the river.
We tried following the TrailLink map beginning at the Johnstown Flood Museum. The trail is not well marked. It disappears at the end of Plum Street. This could be a great ride if it were maintained. We ended up following the rail line, riding and walking on ballast until we found ourselves in Conemaugh. We rode to the Spruce Street trailhead in Franklin but decided to end our ride and follow RT 271 back to Johnstown. We would have loved to continue riding north but didn't know what to expect.
About a mile above vintondale the trail is washed out could be a very dangerous situation. The washout goes beyond where it’s marked and I don’t know what the rest of the trail looks like, but we turned around and went back. It was too much for us. We’re on Rance and it’s not worth rolling them in all the deep, washout places, caution
We ( recumbent trike & e-bike) headed West from the Kiwanis park. Turned around after 9km as the surface was really tough on the trike. There’s 2 good wheel tracks for bikes, but the trike had to ride partially in the coarse trail ballast. Scenic area with farm views and a huge windmill farm in the distance.
I headed out of Pittsburgh Point State Park 8/6/2024 for a day ride to Homestead and back. I quickly ran into large homeless encampments along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail portion of the GAP. No one approached me but the trash, the smell of urine and tents almost on the trail were discouraging and I ended my ride and drove home. I might suggest anyone planning to ride that section of the GAP check the current conditions before proceeding. From what I found online once I got home was that it does not appear to be a short term problem. Other riders have commented on open drug use and the concern for unleashed dogs. I could not find a go around from local riders’ comments.
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