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Altoona, PA Cross Country Skiing Trails and Maps

449 Reviews

Looking for the best Cross Country Skiing trails around Altoona?

Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Altoona, whether you're looking for an easy short cross country skiing trail or a long cross country skiing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a cross country skiing trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.

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Name
Length
Most Popular

6 to 10 Trail System

7.5 mi

State: PA

Crushed Stone, Dirt

David S. Ammerman Trail (formerly Clearfield to Grampian Trail)

10.6 mi

State: PA

Crushed Stone

Ghost Town Trail

53.3 mi

State: PA

Crushed Stone

Huntingdon and Broad Top Rail Trail

12.6 mi

State: PA

Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel

Lower Trail

17 mi

State: PA

Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Mahoning Shadow Trail

15 mi

State: PA

Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Path of the Flood Trail

11.8 mi

State: PA

Asphalt, Ballast, Crushed Stone

Bellefonte Central Rail Trail

1.3 mi

State: PA

Asphalt, Cinder, Crushed Stone

Bells Gap Rail Trail

6.3 mi

State: PA

Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass

Hoodlebug Trail

11.8 mi

State: PA

Asphalt, Gravel

Houtzdale Line Trail

11.08 mi

State: PA

Gravel

Shuster Way Heritage Trail

3.9 mi

State: PA

Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone

Beaver Dam Trail

2.3 mi

State: PA

Crushed Stone

Iron Horse Trail (PA)

10 mi

State: PA

Ballast, Crushed Stone, Dirt

PWS Trail System

36 mi

State: PA

Asphalt, Crushed Stone

Accordion

Trail Image	Trail Name	States	Length	Surface	Rating
	6 to 10 Trail System Today, the 7.5-mile route between inclines 6 and 10 has been converted into a rail trail featuring both hiking and biking sections, with historical culverts (drainage structures) visible along the...	PA	7.5 mi	Crushed Stone, Dirt	12 reviews
	David S. Ammerman Trail (formerly Clearfield to Grampian Trail) The David S. Ammerman Trail rolls through Pennsylvania coal country for nearly 11 miles between Clearfield and Grampian, skirting the West Branch of the Susquehanna River and two of its tributaries....	PA	10.6 mi	Crushed Stone	32 reviews
	Ghost Town Trail Winding through the scenic Blacklick Creek watershed east of Pittsburgh, the 53.3-mile Ghost Town Trail is composed of the 32-mile main stem (running between Black Lick and Ebensburg) and the...	PA	53.3 mi	Crushed Stone	103 reviews
	Huntingdon and Broad Top Rail Trail Stretching 13.9 miles through south-central Pennsylvania, this rail-trail runs between Riddlesburg and Everett. About the Route Tracing a relatively flat path from the community of Tatesville,...	PA	12.6 mi	Concrete, Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel	34 reviews
	Lower Trail Closure Notice: The Lower Trail is closed between mile markers 9 and 10 for a bridge repair. Completion date is unknown. The Lower Trail runs between Alexandria and Williamsburg, tracing the...	PA	17 mi	Asphalt, Crushed Stone	77 reviews
	Mahoning Shadow Trail If Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow on Groundhog Day, Mahoning Shadow Trail users expect six more weeks of winter before spring arrives. The 15-mile Central Pennsylvania trail passes through the...	PA	15 mi	Asphalt, Crushed Stone	22 reviews
	Path of the Flood Trail The Path of the Flood Trail might be unique among rail-trails for being named after a tragedy, the Johnstown Flood of 1889, considered the nation’s worst catastrophe of the 19th century. Some 2,200...	PA	11.8 mi	Asphalt, Ballast, Crushed Stone	10 reviews
	Bellefonte Central Rail Trail Serene year-round, the Bellefonte Central Rail Trail (BCRT) in central Pennsylvania runs along 1.3 miles of the old Buffalo Run, Bellefonte and Bald Eagle Railroad corridor. The original 19-mile line...	PA	1.3 mi	Asphalt, Cinder, Crushed Stone	15 reviews
	Bells Gap Rail Trail The Bells Gap Rail-Trail is really two trails in one-a smooth 2.1-mile southern section with crushed limestone surface, and a rougher, more difficult northern section of 4.2 miles that is best-suited...	PA	6.3 mi	Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass	9 reviews
	Hoodlebug Trail If you have a tendency to tootle along when you walk or bicycle, then consider taking the Hoodlebug Trail. You’ll find many diversions in and around the college campus in the borough of Indiana and...	PA	11.8 mi	Asphalt, Gravel	21 reviews
	Houtzdale Line Trail 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...	PA	11.08 mi	Gravel	23 reviews
	Shuster Way Heritage Trail The Shuster Way Heritage Trail (formerly known as the Bedford Heritage Trail) provides a safe and picturesque connection between a topnotch resort and a nationally recognized downtown. From the Omni...	PA	3.9 mi	Asphalt, Concrete, Crushed Stone	7 reviews
	Beaver Dam Trail Located in one of Pennsylvania's Parker Dam State Park, the Beaver Dam Trail follows old railroad grades at Parker Dam State Park in Clearfield County. The trail runs past streams, beaver dams,...	PA	2.3 mi	Crushed Stone	2 reviews
	Iron Horse Trail (PA) The Iron Horse Trail follows two abandoned rail beds: the Path Valley Railroad and the Perry Lumber Company Railroad. Originally, the Path Valley Railroad was going to be an extension for the Newport...	PA	10 mi	Ballast, Crushed Stone, Dirt	5 reviews
	PWS Trail System Forbes State Forest and the adjacent state parks (Linn Run, Laurel Mountain, and Laurel Ridge) maintain the PWS Trail System, a network of snowmobile trails and forest service roads though the...	PA	36 mi	Asphalt, Crushed Stone	2 reviews

Accordion

Recent Trail Reviews

Ligonier Valley Trail

Good for walking or short ride

June, 2026 by thesneds

We biked it. The part of the trail closer to town had thicker gravel which was a little tougher and the rest was mostly packed dirt. Mostly away from the road with nice farm views and lots of birds. Flat ride. Plenty of parking at Friendship Park at the end of Boquet St. An easy walk or ride from downtown diamond (square) area.

Ghost Town Trail

Just completed the loop

June, 2026 by tim.deardorff

Started at Eliza Furnace and went counterclockwise toward Ebensburg to where the C&I trail connects just out of town. Was a 32 mile ride- so beautiful

Ghost Town Trail

Ghost Town Trail 22 Mile Loop CCW

June, 2026 by bikin-mike

Great ride on the 22 mile loop using the new 2 mile C&I Extension piece in Nanty Glo.

Parked at Vintondale and did the eastbound uphill along the creek to Nanty Glo. Very pretty scenery. Washouts have been repaired and only a few spots with some larger gravel.

Nice ice cream and food place just north of the trail on 1st St in Nanty Glo. Delicious Chili Cheese Dog and fresh cut fries just like at the fair. So glad they opened about 3 yrs ago. Only other option I could see for food was a grocery store about 1/4 mile south across the river on Shoemaker St. Make sure you fuel up here. No other amenities on the rest of the ride.

Google Maps doesn’t show the new 2 mile extension yet. Best map I’ve found is at Cambria County Conservation. See 22 miles map.

https://www.cambriaconservationrecreation.com/ghost-town-trail/

Just past the ballpark on the east side of Nanty Glo turn left on Ricky Rd then an immediate right on 2nd St, bear right on Springfield, up a small hill on Springfield and a sharp turn and there’s the C&I trailhead. Do NOT go up 2nd St. The trail crosses 2nd St on a bridge and there is no access. A sign on the main trail by the ballpark and another on 2nd pointing to Springfield would be a big help!

The highest elevation on the extension is the bridge over 422. After that it’s mostly flat or downhill along the North Branch of Blacklick Creek. On this late May day there was a nice water flow and the sound of water cascading over rocks was a wonderful soundtrack for my ride.

I also did the 2 miles to Duman Lake Park. I guess it’s not an official part of the GTT, but it has a couple signs marking the way. First 1/2 mile or so was old railroad spur with some bumps and dirt spots. Sign says turn left and the next couple hundred feet were 1/2 inch gravel. Not fun. Almost turned around, but then a couple folks came through on E-bikes and said it’s kind of fun. Next was a 50ft long narrow rusty metal bridge across a creek. Only about 2ft wide - sure glad it had railings. Next was single track hard packed dirt thru a dense forest along the creek with lots of twists and turns. Nice change of pace. Mountain bike tires might have been better, but my hybrid 700x38C tires did just fine. Might not be fun when it’s wet. Finally, back to a 10ft wide screenings trail downhill to the park.

Bikin-Mike 05/30/26

Accordion

Mahoning Shadow Trail

Nice trail. Many things to see riding along the water. A little confusing whew going thru Punxsutawney but there is signage.

May, 2026 by wfsphone

Nice trail. Many things to see riding along the water. A little confusing whew going thru Punxsutawney but there is signage.

David S. Ammerman Trail (formerly Clearfield to Grampian Trail)

David S Ammerman Trail

May, 2026 by n1960burbank

We just got back from riding this trail. We had hybrid bikes and experienced no problems. The trail was well marked. The last 3 miles was all uphill so bring plenty of water. We rode onThursday and there was very little bike traffic. All in all a very nice trail well maintained and would recommend a visit.

David S. Ammerman Trail (formerly Clearfield to Grampian Trail)

David S Ammerman Trail

May, 2026 by n1960burbank

David S. Ammerman Trail (formerly Clearfield to Grampian Trail)

Good afternoon ride. Slightly downhill from Grampian to Curwensville. Scenic views with creek, bridges and mountain laurel.

May, 2026 by wfsphone

Good afternoon ride. Slightly downhill from Grampian to Curwensville. Scenic views with creek, bridges and mountain laurel.

Huntingdon and Broad Top Rail Trail

New Section is Paved

March, 2026 by mbassani

Today we rode from Warrior’s Path State Park to Hopewell and back. We loved the recently opened section from Warrior’s Path SP to Riddlesburg. The rest is a little bumpy in places. If you continue south of Hopewell, you must ride on a relatively rough road until you re-enter the trail. From there you will enjoy the scenery till you reach the bridge, after which the trail moves away from the river, becoming less scenic. The trail currently terminates in Tatesville.

6 to 10 Trail System

Great Riding Trail

October, 2025 by rpn65

Very nice scenic trail. Many places to stop along the trail to stop and take in the scenery.

The Old PA Pike Trail

I forgot to add to my review

October, 2025 by tim.deardorff

Please make sure you have bike lights, flashlights etc… those tunnels are dark!!

The Old PA Pike Trail

Riding the TOPP Trail

October, 2025 by tim.deardorff

I just rode the trail 11 Oct 2025- shortly after the new Sideling Hill Trailhead grand opening a couple of weeks ago. I utilized the PA Turnpike to drive up from Harrisburg area- very easy and trouble free- just know that afterward you have to drive another 10 miles UP the turnpike to turn around and head back to Harrisburg....ugh 20 additional miles, even though both East and West bound have access to the Sideling Hill Rest Stop. Trail Head had really nice bike servicing equipment and picnic tables- Lots of food options at Rest stop- everything you need after 20 mile ride- Burgers and Pizza!! Leaving the rest stop- you ride a service road that is open to bikers (Mountain House Road). You then come to a 4 way stop- Make a left on North Hess Road- you will see a old farm/log cabin house on your right (see my pictures)- go straight this road will turn in to Pump Station Road- ride for about 1/4 of a mile do not turn on the first unmarked road on your right- go to the second road on your right just after the first one- look for a mail box- there is a home that shares the access- ride past home and you will be at the TOPP Trail- you will see cement road barriers on your left- this is the entrance to the trail- Enjoy your ride for the next 8 miles or so. The first tunnel you reach is about 1.5 miles up- This one is long and dark maybe a mile long. The second one is shorter. The trail is rough in sections due to the blacktop being torn up- if your a Pennsylvanian- this a typical PA road LOL potholes! Beware if you are with children or offend easily- There is a TON of Graffiti and things that will make a sailor blush (I used to be in the Navy). There is some really talented art work along the ride though. I would recommend mountain bikes or gravel bikes- my bike has 45MM tires and I rode with 35 psi which I thought was perfect for the rough areas. This trail was "Creepy Cool" and a perfect ride for a fall day and Halloween around the corner!