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Print Friendly MapForbes 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 second-growth forest along Laurel Hill. Much of this network serves as a mountain biking system the rest of the year. Bicycling is allowed only on the designated trails (and on roads open to automobiles). Bikes are prohibited on the yellow-blazed Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail.
The rail-trail segment of the system occupies the corridor of the old Pittsburgh, Westmoreland and Somerset railroad, which operated from 1899 until 1916. The abandoned corridor was unused until the trail opened in 1992.
To Laurel Summit Road trailhead; Driving from Ligonier, follow Route US-30 for about 7.5 miles to Laurel Mountain Summit,then turn right onto Laurel Summit Road. Follow Laurel Summit Road for about 2.5 miles to the Laurel Mountain Ski area. You will find plenty of parking on the left.
To Linn Run trailhead: Driving from Ligonier, take Route US-30 for 2 miles and turn right on PA-381. Follow PA-381 for 3 miles and then left on Linn Run Rd and go uphill for about 3 miles until you enter Linn Run State Park. You'll find areas to park as you enter Linn Run State Park.
I went on this trail from Laurel Summit. If you park in the lot, you can only go 1-2 miles before the trail is gated off and says no tresspassing. Even if you could pass that gate, the trail is covered by bushes, trees and rocks...there is nothing there...
The trails referred to are primarily used for snowmobiling in the winter and are best suited to Mountain bikes. Some are merely single track lanes or dirt roads on the mountain and I was only able to find 6-7 miles of non road trails suited to a nonmountain bike.
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