Find the top rated birding trails in Johnstown, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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For those of you who are new to the northern section of this trail and are considering starting at Jones Mills--Don't! Go on to Champion, where parking is easy, and the trail is wide, well-marked, well-maintained, and lovely all the way into Indian Head. But if you're one of those who insists on going end-to-end, be aware that there is no parking whatsoever at the Jones Mills trailhead, which is actually right on SR31 across from the intersection with SR381. If you park where advised, a block down on the left of SR381, don't look for the bike trail head there; those trails are for hiking (as I learned the hard way). Instead, you'll need to backtrack to the intersection with SR31, cross this busy and dangerous road on foot, and search the roadside weeds for indications of the trail running down hill (with steps) from there. This trail terminus is COMPLETELY unmarked here and initially appears to be in someone's yard! If you're determined, you'll find it (as I did, with difficulty) right behind the metal highway sign directing people to the Oakhurst TeaRoom. As I later discovered from an ICVT map from one of the kiosks on the trail, this first segment from Jones Mills to Champion is actually an extension of the ICVT--the Alonzo Kalp extension--and is a narrow, poorly-maintained, grass/dirt/and limestone path with little to recommend it for the 1.7 miles to Champion, where the ICVT proper really begins. I rode that segment of the ICVT today in autumn splendor and it was a joy and made the whole trip worthwhile: Wide and pleasant crushed limestone covered with fallen leaves for the 5+ miles to Indian Head. The last 1.8 miles from Indian Head to the dead end is not well marked (I had to ask a local for directions and dog leg across the road to search out where it picks up) well used, or well maintained, so was a bit less pleasant. All-in-all an interesting Sunday afternoon in October with much beauty in the middle segment to make up for the crazy start and mediocre end.
We only rode a portion of the trail from Slickville to Saltsburg. Returning to Slickville was uphill but the fall views were amazing!
We did about twelve miles of the western part. Really pretty. We will be back!
My husband & I bicycle all over the US (Rails to Trails only) and this little section of trail was a huge surprise. We live in Latrobe PA & use the GAP & Ghost town trails mostly. Plus we have used the Saltsburg side of the WHT a lot. But we never used the Export-Trafford side. WOW what a surprise. The infrastructure of this trail section is special. Whoever was involved in building this one; hats off to you and thanks! The bridges: quality. The road crossings: very safe. The bathrooms: abundant. Just cant say enough about the infrastructure. The trail itself was not paved, but no issues there, most are not. Well maintained trail - both the surface & the green growth on the banks of the trail. Most of this section of the trail is very beautiful, woodsy. Other parts going through Murrysville has traffic noise but that is just an indicator that there are lots of options for food & shopping off the trail. Lots of parking options at varied access points along the trail. The only negative thing i could say is that there were no trail maps (printed) in the map pocket cases at any of the trail heads. I suppose that means the trail is "just that popular". Again - try this section of the WHT - Don't put it off because its a nice stretch of the legs for either a morning ride or after work stress reliever.
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 road from East Brady to Kittanning and back for a total of 44 miles. Riding that direction, you first go through about one mile of shared gravel road with private homes. The trail winds along the Allegheny River with beautiful scenery. It also follows a few camping areas. When in Kittanning a must stop to eat is at the Allegheny Mariner restaurant. West coast atmosphere, the best Mac and cheese ever (an we are M & C connoisseurs) and a skillet fresh-baked warm chocolate chip cookie with ice cream that is to die for! The rest of the food was homemade and excellent also. The Armstrong Trail is one of many great trails in PA!
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.
Started at Freeport and rode 7 miles and back. Slight uphill the way out, but not too difficult. Parking lots were full at every stop we passed, but the trail was never crowded. Enjoyed the shaded and wide trail. Spotted 2 deer chasing each other across the creek and 2 Great Blue Heron fishing for their lunch. We will return to complete the trail soon.
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