Altoona, PA Horseback Riding Trails and Maps

430 Reviews

Looking for the best Horseback Riding trails around Altoona?

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

  • Relevance
  • Name
  • Length
  • Most Popular
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type
7 Results
Activities
Length
Surfaces
Type

Lower Trail

17 mi
State: PA
Asphalt, Crushed Stone

West Penn Trail

15.2 mi
State: PA
Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Gravel

Bells Gap Rail Trail

6.3 mi
State: PA
Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass

Houtzdale Line Trail

11.08 mi
State: PA
Gravel

Snow Shoe Rail Trail

18.4 mi
State: PA
Ballast, Gravel

Iron Horse Trail (PA)

10 mi
State: PA
Ballast, Crushed Stone, Dirt

PWS Trail System

36 mi
State: PA
Asphalt, Crushed Stone
Trail Image Trail Name States Length Surface Rating
Overview  The Lower Trail runs between Alexandria and Williamsburg, tracing the meandering Frankstown Branch of the Juniata River. The trail, with a mostly crushed-stone surface, is a remote and...
PA 17 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone
Overview The West Penn Trail meanders 15 miles between Saltsburg and just west of Blairsville. The rail-trail winds through woods, fields, and along the Conemaugh River. About the Route Other...
PA 15.2 mi Asphalt, Crushed Stone, Gravel
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
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
Overview Coordinated by the Snow Shoe Rails to Trails Association (SSRTA), the Snow Shoe Trail caters primarily to ATV and off-road motorcycle enthusiasts. It is open to other users as well, but...
PA 18.4 mi Ballast, Gravel
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
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

Recent Trail Reviews

Bells Gap Rail Trail

Nice trail, a tree down across the trail about 4 miles up from parking lot when I'm writing this.

June, 2025 by northgate1980

Nice trail, a tree down across the trail about 4 miles up from parking lot when I'm writing this.

Mahoning Shadow Trail

Mahoning Shadow is a beautiful ride

June, 2025 by lorainer

We stayed in Punxsutawney and could access the trail from our B and B. We rode east to Winslow, an uphill grade but doable on our e-bikes. Saw chipmunks, squirrels and a very long black snake crossing the trail. After a break for lunch in town we rode west to the Fordham trailhead. Several interesting sights along the way- the coke ovens, a couple Minions and another snake. The trail is wide 8-12’ with a cinder surface with no roots or potholes the whole length. Total 16 miles on a shady trail, sometimes along the Mahoning Creek. I bet it’s gorgeous in the Fall.

Mahoning Shadow Trail

No access from east end

June, 2025 by raresparky

Enjoyable trail. Coming from the east, we tried to find the trailhead off Winslow only to find that the road was closed. And google maps routed us to a two track just down the road that you couldn’t really get a car in. We eventually made our way to the west end at Villiere where there was parking at the trailhead. We had a trailer with five bikes. We rode as far as Punxsutawney and had dinner and beers at The Burrow.

Accordion

Ghost Town Trail

Great trail, but not a place for business advertisements

June, 2025 by jdoug2169

Great trail..been riding it for years, from various trailhead sites. Disappointed to see a roofing company has placed several advertising placards along the trail in Ebensburg near the West Street crossing/entrance. This ruins the scenic beauty of the trail. Please remove before “others “ show up.

Ghost Town Trail

nice trail

June, 2025 by theodowns29

no complantes 10/10

West Penn Trail

A Wonderful Ride

May, 2025 by dharbula

Four of us rode this trail on Memorial Day. Not many people were out riding. We only rode from Saltsburg to the Conemaugh dam. At age 78, hauling a bike up and down stairs at Bow Ridge is not for us. I love this trail! The first 4+ miles was typical tree covered rail trail along the river. Then it turns interesting as the trail goes cross-country with many changes in elevation. The hill just past Elder run is very steep with some loose gravel that can be a challenge. Then there is a long downhill run thru the woods. But these are the type of things that made the trail interesting. More trails should offer some natural diversity, even if it requires a parallel route to the main trail.

Lower Trail

Day 2 Ride - More History

May, 2025 by vicki1960

Day 2 of our ride to complete all 16.5 miles (and back). We parked at Flowing Spring Road/Trailhead and biked to Williamsburg and back. Another great day on the trail. This trail is crushed limestone with the exception of the Williamsburg area, which is asphalt paved. We enjoyed the historic Grannis Station, mile 13 on the trail.

Lower Trail

Day 1 Ride - History Galore

May, 2025 by vicki1960

Having traveled over 3 hours, we split this trail up over 2 days and made an overnighter out of it. So much history along this trail, old foundations, and locks & canals, with many interesting sights. We also stopped at Mt. Etna old furnace, near the trail. Day 1 cycled from mile 0 in Alfarata to Williamsburg, mile 11. Trail surface is crushed stone except the Williamsburg section is paved. We stayed in nearby Altoona which offers several hotels and many restaurants.

Bells Gap Rail Trail

Good Workout

April, 2025 by vicki1960

While in the area, we stopped at this trail. We only pedaled up the first one mile due to it was later in the afternoon and we had already ridden 12 miles earlier. Parking on Igou Road just outside of Bellwood. Trail surface was crushed limestone which eventually turned to game lands access road, we didn't go out that far. The entire trail is 6.2 miles. Elevation at mile 00 Igou Road is 1,240 and mile 6.2 it's 2,180. Good workout uphill climb but nice downhill coast on the way back. There is a parking lot at the top. It's on Skyline Drive, and it's in State Game Lands 158.

Bellefonte Central Rail Trail

you can make it around 8 miles

April, 2025 by danieljfrank4

This trail has been upgraded around tofftrees…

Shuster Way Heritage Trail

Not for road bikes.

December, 2024 by repacker

It's a nice walking trail, or if you're taking it to get to the MTB trails. But, if you have a road bike you should just take the road. It's a shame they couldn't have used crushed gravel so roadies could bypass the section of road past the Elks. As it is, it's worthless for road bikes.

Ghost Town Trail

Washout not so bad now

October, 2024 by jeannemoss

10/18/24 beautiful afternoon ride. First time on this trail with our e-bikes. Loved it! We started Wehrum (mile 16) and went to Nanty Glo (mile 24?) slight uphill grade, not difficult. Return ride is slight downhill, no pedal assist needed. The washout had cones around it, and there was clear area for us to pass by. Some other areas have dips, but the trail was dry, lots of leaves fallen, but never felt unsafe. Only 1 restroom in this stretch, very clean. Lots of benches along the way.

Find Nearby City trails

Register for free!

Register for free with TrailLink today!

We're a non-profit all about helping you enjoy the outdoors
  • View over 40,000 miles of trail maps
  • Share your trail photos
  • Save your own favorite trails
  • Learn about new trails near you
  • Leave reviews for trails
  • Add new and edit existing trails

Get the Free TrailLink App

The trail is always better with TrailLink

Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone

Explore by City

Explore by City

Explore by Activity

Explore by Activity

Log in to your account to:

  • View trail paths on the map
  • Save trails to your account
  • Add trails, edit descriptions
  • Share photos
  • Add reviews

Log in with Google

Log in with Apple

OR

Register for free!

Join TrailLink (a non-profit) to view more than 40,000 miles of trail maps and more!

Register with Google

Register with Apple

OR

Your account has been deleted.