Find the top rated hike trails in Sykesville, 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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Friendly folks walking the trail. Nice they had a few porta johns along the way.
Rode out 11 miles from Emporium toward St. Mary's (~22 miles RT). Beautiful scenery once you get out town. Several interpretive signs explaining the environment and history of the area. The trail is surface is mostly packed crush stone and is well maintained. Would definitely do this one again.
Did this trail this afternoon. Ride on the roads for short distances. Signs point where to go. Rode around IUP campus for awhile. Would do again if it was not so far from home (1hr or so)
Parked in Emlenton, 27 miles South of Franklin and headed North to just North of the Kennerdell Tunnel approx 13 miles South of Franklin. This section has two lengthy tunnels, need a light. Very well shaded with views of the Allegheny River. The trade off is that this section is super bumpy with uplifted asphalt pavement due to tree roots. You'll ride along and then all of a sudden hit a series of roots which catch you off guard as they are not marked and difficult to see. Some stretches it's uplifted asphalt one after another. We usually ride this section once per year and since last year it's gotten progressively worse. Other than the washboard areas, this is a good trail. Once a year is enough.
We live near this trail & ride it often (as well as the GAP). We decided to use the spur at Werhum & see how the new bridge is coming along to complete the "loop" everyone is waiting for. We discovered new signage (THANK YOU RTT!) and found a new spur through the woods to a small lake / large pond that we never knew as there. Awesome state park attached. Then met a guy on the trail who informed us that Nov. 2025 the loop should be done for GTT. This trail is fantastic. A golden nugget for a big ride day. We did 39 miles and didnt complete it all. Coming down hill from Nanty Glo is always a treat, but there has been some trail dammage and is well marked for that. They have improved it alot from early spring rides!! But still be aware its there. Enjoy!
Rode from the Franklin trailhead off of route 322 to the Kennerdell Tunnel and a bit beyond. The majority of the trail was paved and smooth. The gravel section just North of Kennerdell was challenging for my wife and the couple riding with us, (Skinny tires) Otherwise a scenic and fun adventure! (A 5 Beer Rating)🍺🍻🍻😎
This was a good trail, but the length shown is only including the improved part of the trail. I found the trail on this app and was biking to it from the north at Montauk Circle. This put us at the unimproved end first, which was ok, but had larger stone and skinny trails. We faired ok, but I think road bikes would have difficulty. It clocked almost 5 miles total from end to end. It was a little disheartening to get to the end and see it’s quite literally up hill both ways from there on the McKee/Clinton bike path. Still we love an adventure and the trial was fun, and if you hit Tofttrees just right the beer cart will be there for a water or Gatorade!
While in the area, we rode the Foxburg to Parker section, we drove to nearby Emlenton and biked from there to Rockland (tunnel) and back. There is a missing link of trail between Foxburg and Emlenton that has been under development for a few years and they are getting closer but not as of yet. This entire trail section is 27.5 miles in length, flat and paved. Some rooty sections but to be expected with all the shade you will get in return. We did not ride the tunnels due to we forgot our lights. A nice day on the trail enjoying the shade and views of the Allegheny River. Trail services in Emlenton a pizza shop, ice cream shop, Dollar store and convenience store.
Foxburg to Parker detached section is paved and 2.5 miles in length. Parking at each end. This section is very well shaded, trail conditions: a few roots sprouting up in the asphalt. Trail services in Foxburg include places to eat. Trail services in Parker which is a commute by road across the bridge, there is a place to eat. Enjoy the shade!
Franklin to Brandon and back, always an enjoyable ride on this trail. Beautiful views of the Allegheny River. Water levels are down from last month when we had so much rain. Trail gates recently painted look great!
The Brady Tunnel opened Fall 2024 following renovation. Very dark inside (due to its doors) so you need a light. Trail closure at mile marker 55 at Mahoning Creek (since April 2025) You can detour by using nearby road, road bridge and grass path to reconnect to the trail. We parked at the Redbank trailhead on Redbank Road, just past St. Marys Redbank church. This is the intersection of Redbank Tr mile 0 and the Armstrong Tr approx mile 63. Trail surface is crushed limestone. Some of it very well packed down, some of it washed away leaving nothing but packed dirt, and some of the trail is double tracked. We didn't have any trouble on our hybrids. We went South to Mahoning and turned around and up to the Brady Tunnel passing the Redbank Coaling Tower. We went though the tunnel and continued approx 5 miles through the Sarah Furnace area. We also went towards East Brady passed the Phillipston turntable. Nearest trail services are in East Brady, otherwise you're on your own. Trail mostly shaded, follows the Allegheny River. Very peaceful., scenic and historic. See photos. Our next plan is to ride another segment of the trail.
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