Find the top rated running trails in Altoona, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
_159932_st.jpg){kind=spacer}
_125216_st.jpg)
I biked this trail on 8/30/2019 with a hybrid bicycle. I parked at the Elk's Club Trailhead parking lot off of S. Richard Street (Business 220) and biked southward to the southern terminus of the trail; Sweet Root Rd Trailhead. The Sweet Root Rd Trailhead is almost directly across from the Bedford Springs Resort and has adequate room for about 8 cars. The trail surface of this southern section of the trail is NOT your typical crushed limestone but a much courser sized stone. I did not have a problem with my hybrid bike, BUT one certainly does NOT want to be racing on this type of trail surface with narrow tires. A short distance from the Sweet Root Trailhead are some historical landmarks (The Miller House & the Water Mill) along with an artistic, metal trail marker and a trail bridge over Shobers Run Creek. Travelling north from the Sweet Root Trailhead, one will cross over Shobers Run Creek via a wooden decked bridge with metal sides. A short distance later, one will travel past a marsh-wetlands area on the west side of the trail and then travel over the marsh via a wooden decked bridge with metal sides. One will ascend over an asphalt Switch-back just prior to reaching the Elk's Club Trailhead. The picturesque Elk's club Golf Course is visible from the switchback. This southern gravel section of the trail dumps out on to Richard Street (Business 220) just north of the Elk's Club Entrance. At this point, one will share the road (going northbound) for .6 miles and make a sharp left turn on to the Fort Bedford Path at the south end of the road bridge over the Juniata River. If you end up going over the bridge that traverses over the Juniata River, you have gone too far. One will pass thru an opening in a fence that parallels Richard Street to gain access to the trail. This northern section of the trail is also known as "The Fort Bedford Path" and its surface is of the traditional crushed limestone type. Traveling westward on the trail, within a short distance from the entrance, one will pass the Reighard Dam over the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River (on one's right-north side of the trail) and Fort Bedford (on one's left-south side of the trail). This crushed limestone section of the trail only lasts for about .1 mile before it becomes an asphalt trail that parallels Fort Bedford Dr which becomes N West Street. When the N West Street makes a sharp left turn, the trail essentially ends and one is now travelling on the quiet street. The TrailLink.Com map has this trail terminating at the intersection of N West Street and Pitt Street. However, the map that is printed by the town of Bedford (Posted at the Sweet Root Trailhead Kiosk) leads the trail thru the business section of town and then back on to Richard Street. If one wishes to have a little bit of variety instead of taking the same route back to the Elk's club trailhead, then at the intersection of N West Street and Pitt Street turn left on to Pitt Street. By the way there is an operating vintage Art Deco Style Golf Station at the intersection of N West Street and Pitt Street. Continue travelling eastward on Pitt Street for about 3 blocks and then make a right on to Juliana Street. One will then travel southward on Juliana Street for 7 blocks and make a left on to Simpson Street. After traveling 2 blocks eastward on Simpson Street, turn right on to Richard Street (Business 220). Travel southward on Richard Street for over 2 blocks until one comes to the gravel section of the trail that parallels Elk's club golf course.
Some commentary: I found the vistas along the Elk's Golf course and along the Juniata River very picturesque. Also, thoroughly enjoyed the Art Deco Style Golf Gas station at the intersection of N West Street & Pitt Street. There was a LOT of traffic along Pitt Street and Juliana streets. The historic buildings, eateries, and other businesses along this street route were well kept. If one does not mind a little bit of traffic, I would recommend the street section (Described above) that takes one thru the historic business section as an alternative return route back to the Elk's club trailhead.
Excellent trail in fantastic shape and everything is well-maintained. Scenery varies nicely so that you have many different backdrops along the ride. We went north from Tatesville to the end and back and clocked 24+ miles. Excellent parking at the trail head!
Started at trailhead in Clearfield behind Family Dollar. Rode the 10.5 miles to the end at Grampian. The scenery is mostly wooded areas and 1 farm. You will ride beside mountain stream the last 5 miles. The trail is crushed limestone and wide enough to ride side by side. There are port a johns at mile marker 1.9 and 8.1. If you are going to ride the entire trail, start at Clearfield. The last 4.5 miles are all up hill. When you turn around at Grampian, the first mile is easy peddling and the next 3.5 miles you will coast. The last six are not to hard either. The only problem is at Curwensville is you have to cross 2 roads at a traffic light. I had to look for the trail. Not well marked here. Go straight across the road then turn 90 degrees right across the next road. The best scenery is the last 5 miles up the mountain.
This is NOT a gravel trail. It is an asphalt trail (poorly constructed with a very uneven surface) with some areas covered with a thin layer of crushed gravel. The remaining asphalt is deteriorating and creating a less than ideal cycling surface. Loose gravel on asphalt sets up the potential for accidents. I suggest repairing the asphalt or covering all if it with a thick layer of groomed, crushed gravel.
On the positive side, the are some very beautiful sections along the ride, almost making up for the inadequacies of the construction of the trail.
It is obvious the tail was rerouted in several areas. Two steep inclines were created near Blacklick. Not only are these not typical of rail trails, but could have been avoided with better planning. Novice bikers/ hikers might find these a bit challenging.
Some trail markers seem to be missing in Homer City, leaving users wondering where to connect.
I happened to be in the area and took a ride on this trail out of curiosity. Had I known it was asphalt, I would have skipped it.
I make these observations as a seasoned mountain biker.
This is a beautiful trail in the heart of Central PA. It is very close to Arch Springs. I have spent many trips with friends and family on this trail. It's probably one of the most fond memories I have at my time at Penn State. I miss it and hope that I'll get back there one day.
Nice little trail but it has not been completed yet. We biked from Sunset Park in State College and made it as far as Toftrees Apartments. We couldn't really go any further than that. There were some really steep hills on this trail. Not really a good one for kids.
We started out with wonderful lunch at Bedford Springs hotel.Then we rode into town on the trail. The scenery is beautiful. But the trail was not crushed stone but a rough gravel.
Unlike most rail to trail bike paths, that have a finely crushed packed Stone, this trail has the very large sharp gravel stones. It is a rough ride unless you have a mountain bike. Beautiful scenery in beautiful Bedford PA but unfortunately the trail is not the best bike trail for hybrid or Smooth tire bikes.
My nephew and I biked this trail from Grampian to Clearfield and back. The trail itself is very well maintained and easy riding, even for a novice like myself. I would say that if you are in marginal physical shape (like myself) you should plan on the climb from Curwensville to Grampian to be what I would call challenging. However, the scenery is fantastic! This trail is well worth visiting!
I would ride this trail again! My husband & I ride rail trails all around PA & as far as we can drive from our home in Philadelphia. This is one of the nicest trails. In addition to the wonderful history of 19th century mining, the trail is well maintained with clean & frequent bathrooms, benches & picnic shelters. Yes, there is a bit of a hill between Vintondale & Nanty Glo, but that is part of the fun. I want to give a thank you to Cambria & Indiana counties for their great work in maintaining this trail.
My wife and I rode the entire Lower Trail out and back on 11 June 2019, and had a wonderful time. We drove out from Camp Hill PA in the morning and stopped for an "MTO" sandwich at the Sheetz in Huntington PA, then parked at the Alfarata (north) end parking lot. It's a beautiful trail that has been on our bucket list for awhile. Saw some wildlife (snakes, turtles, etc), but lived to tell the tale. We highly recommend this trail!
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Map Search
