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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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...
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...
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...
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...
Part of a larger system in Western Pennsylvania known as the Trans Allegheny Trails, the Ghost Town Trail was named for the long-abandoned towns strung along the tracks of the Ebensburg & Black Lick...
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...
Spurred by the success of New York’s revolutionary Erie Canal, Pennsylvania started constructing its own canal system in 1826 to link Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. But the Allegheny Mountains...
Stretching 10.6 miles through south-central Pennsylvania, this rail-trail follows the route of the former Huntingdon and Broad Top Mountain Railroad, a standard--gauge railroad founded in 1852 to...
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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....
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...
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...
Part of a larger system in Western Pennsylvania known as the Trans Allegheny Trails, the Ghost Town Trail was named for the long-abandoned towns strung along the tracks of the Ebensburg & Black Lick...
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...
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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...
The Lower Trail ranks high on the list of many Central Pennsylvania residents when they’re searching for a remote path with a woodsy feel. The Lower (rhymes with flower, and named in memory of 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...
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...
Stretching 10.6 miles through south-central Pennsylvania, this rail-trail follows the route of the former Huntingdon and Broad Top Mountain Railroad, a standard--gauge railroad founded in 1852 to...
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...
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...
Spurred by the success of New York’s revolutionary Erie Canal, Pennsylvania started constructing its own canal system in 1826 to link Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. But the Allegheny Mountains...
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...
Located in one of Pennsylvanias most popular State Parks, the Beaver Dam Trail follows old railroad grades at Parker Dam State Park in Clearfield County. The trail runs past streams, beaver dams,...
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....
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...
Spurred by the success of New York’s revolutionary Erie Canal, Pennsylvania started constructing its own canal system in 1826 to link Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. But the Allegheny Mountains...
Stretching 10.6 miles through south-central Pennsylvania, this rail-trail follows the route of the former Huntingdon and Broad Top Mountain Railroad, a standard--gauge railroad founded in 1852 to...
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...
The Lower Trail ranks high on the list of many Central Pennsylvania residents when they’re searching for a remote path with a woodsy feel. The Lower (rhymes with flower, and named in memory of 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....
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...
Part of a larger system in Western Pennsylvania known as the Trans Allegheny Trails, the Ghost Town Trail was named for the long-abandoned towns strung along the tracks of the Ebensburg & Black Lick...
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...
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...
Located in one of Pennsylvanias most popular State Parks, the Beaver Dam Trail follows old railroad grades at Parker Dam State Park in Clearfield County. The trail runs past streams, beaver dams,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
I see very few recent reviews of this lovely trail. The tunnel under Rt 22 is indeed open and allows road access to Canoe Creek SP. The signage to Flowing Springs Rd access and parking appears to be upgraded as well, as another user noted it may have been missing in the past. This under-utilized trail continues to be a year round favorite of this biker.
What a great section of the Ghost Trail. Wehrum has a large parking lot and is easily found. Only a little over 2 miles from Route 22. No one else was parked there, so there is plenty of room. Trail is very flat and very well maintained. Less than 48 hours since a big rain storm and the trail was dry! Good idea to wear bright colors (orange) since you'll see some hunters this time of year. This was our first cold weather (48 degrees) ride and we learned plenty. Next time gloves and a scarf. Can't wait to come back and explore another part of this trail.
It’s a fantastic trail, scenic by the River and we saw wildlife and it’s in superb condition.
At sunset park it’s a nice trail. Once you get to Toftrees a short ride away, it turns into dirt and rocks. Not worth seeking out unless you live in SC.
Parking is an issue but it was a nice walk.
Though open to bicycles, this trail is very rough with it's washboard surface and large gravel. I even found it difficult to walk on.
We parked at the Gillentown trailhead (approx mile marker 49) and proceeded to bike towards the higher mile marker numbers. Though it was very pretty, the surface was rough. Some points we got off and walked our bikes and even walking was difficult. We only went out a few miles then turned around coming back to the parking area. We proceed to bike the other direction, lower mile marker numbers and towards the Clarence end of the trail which was packed limestone and much smoother though only 3 miles from Gillentown to Clarence.
We wanted to see the Peale Tunnel which was on the bumpy section of the trail and never made it that far. We also wanted to ride across the Viaduct which is farther out. Found out it's been closed since 2013 and no plans in the near future to open it. It's in very poor rotted condition and would take a lot of work to make it passable.
This trail is mainly for ATV's which you need a membership. It's also open to Equestrians and for walking/hiking.
Stopped at this trail while in the area. Nice trail runs from the Blairsville Memorial Veterans Park on West Brown Street to Wyotech Park.
Asphalt trail is a little bumpy/rough in some areas and is 1.7 miles in length along the Conemaugh River. Very shaded. Off the trail there are some ballfields. This day the trail was used by walkers, dog walkers and joggers and found the people to be friendly. There is parking at each end of the trail.
Located a block from town square where you can find trail services. This very old historic and quaint town has a new roundabout and gazebo.
A group of us traveled about 90 minutes to ride this trail and it was surely worth it!
Trail is packed crushed limestone in very good condition. The trail offers a lot of history including several ghost towns, hence the name, Ghost Town Trail. Trail follows very shallow and orange Black Lick Creek.
We parked in Saylor park at mile 0 and biked to Vintondale (mile 19) and back. It is a gradual incline the entire distance making the return trip very easy.
Trail services: have never seen so many nice restrooms....located every few miles, and some had picnic areas as well. There isn't any where along the trail for water so make sure you have some, and food.
In Dilltown there is a B & B and gift shop which sells water and snack but make sure they are open first.
We passed two furnaces on our journey, the Beuna Vista and Eliza Furnaces.
All in all a great trail and worth the drive to get to. Most importantly, research the elevation, you will want to start in Black Lick and head towards Ebensburg.
We did not cover the entire trail and plan to go back to finish.
First, I am an amateur rider, just started biking only 6 weeks ago and I am 61. The many hill climbs are not for your Rail-Trail, flat riders.
The bridges over the Conemaugh, and 1 tunnel that you can go through, are as spectacular as you will find anywhere. Some climbs are over 10% for a sightable distance, and one section over 12%.
The key to the climbs, are low air pressure and good off-road knobby tires. Also, of course, you must be able to crank very hard for some distance.
I made all but one hill, as my back tire with semi-road-off road tires, spun out on me and I lost 100% traction and bailed out. NOT easy when your clipped into your pedals!
All I can say, is this is the most beautiful Trail I have ridden to date (done a good bit so far). If your fit, then go for it. The rewards are many!
Just make sure you have low pressure and good tires, and maybe a pump on board, so you can repressurize for the flat sections on both ends.
We also cannot locate any designated parking for the Houtzdale area. Plenty of parking in Smoke Run in lot. Trail west of Smoke Run is very bumpy and better done on a mountain bike. Also, east of Houtzdale is very rough and again with a mountain bike. We turned around at both of those locations. Right now there is plenty of debris on the trail because of brush being cut back. Very rough again. When debris is clear it will be a great run again.
Not the typical Rails to Trails. Parking lot at the one end of the trail map was non existent. Trail was more like an unused driveway.
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