Find the top rated hike trails in Lumber City, whether you're looking for an easy short hike trail or a long hike trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a hike trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Having ridden from Rosston to East Brady in 2021, a buddy and I decided to ride the newly opened southern end of the Armstrong. In a nutshell, It is not as nice. Starting again from the Rosston boat marina we headed south. Right away the surface is not as smooth as going north. Instead of a fine limestone sand, the surface appears to be a sort of fairly small gravel, close to what is known as crusher run but not quite. It is still quite rideable however. This section of the trail has little to see for quite a ways. Eventually, you come upon some riverside cottages. These are not as nice as the ones up towards East Brady but they’re okay. That’s it till you hit Schenley where you come upon abandoned or near abandoned factories - signs of the industrial decay in the area. At the end is the highlight of the trip, the newly opened bridge over the Kiskiminetas River. They did a very nice job on this and it’s pretty long. After the bridge we headed up the Kiski on the trail (also called the Leechburg Towpath). This section was less appealing. Right away there is some kind of rental campground for campers right along the river with campers packed in and there is a dirt road immediately to the left of the trail. It takes a while but you get past these. The ride in the woods is punctuated by acid mine drainage several places and then you come upon the large, abandoned Allegheny Ludlum steel plant. After riding past this for a ways the trail just pops out onto what was obviously an access road to the factory at one point. We weren’t sure if the trail continued but kept riding up the road. No one we saw knew either, there were no signs. After a ways we came to a gate across the road with a bike bypass and there was an Armstrong Trails sign there. This may be the end of the trail but we rode on a bit and saw the familiar green and white bike route signs and followed on. They led us on some bike paths and low traffic streets in Leechburg to the Leechburg Riverfront Park. If you ride this way be sure to stop here. They have picnic tables and a gazebo and it’s a very nice rest and lunch spot. After lunch we continued on as the signs took us on more side streets to the Hyde Park Foot Bridge - a suspension type bridge across the Kiski. Definitely worth the short ride. That was the end of the trail and we headed back. Note that there is less shade on this trail and we were cooked by the sun on the way back. While I gave the north end of the Armstrong four stars this section barely rates three. Stick to the north section if you’re riding for the first time.
This trail has been upgraded around tofftrees…
Mid March, we parked at Snyder Park on Johnston Road at McMillen Road and headed out the trail to Buttermilk Falls. The trail is packed crushed limestone. Very scenic walk (hike) as it follows Cowanshannock Creek. Trail is a little over a mile in length, at the end you will find Buttermilk Falls.
Took us a month, but finished today hiking this trail. And just one day with rain. Still stunned by the beauty of this part od Pennsylvania.
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