Primarily a cross-country ski route, the 13.4-mile Sentiero DiShay Trail can also be enjoyed for hiking and mountain biking. The trail winds through a mixed forest of conifer and deciduous trees. The trail is located within the Tiadaghton State Forest and is part of the Black Forest Trail system which provides a 42-mile series of loop trails comprised partially of the remains of the Cammal and Black Forest Railroad, the Slate Run Railroad, and logging roads.
The trail begins at the trailhead for the Blackberry Trail and is blazed with blue circles.
To reach the trailhead, take PA 44 slightly more than one-half mile south of Slate Run Road, 34 miles south of Coudersport. The trail begins at the trailhead for the Blackberry Trail, designated by a carved wooden sign. The Sentiero DiShay Trail is blazed with blue circles.
We hiked this trail in mid June 2017. It is great some of the time. But it has a bunch of sections that are bogs. So bring waterproof hiking shoes. It is very wet for many parts. Then there is huge sections of raspberry. These sections are incredibly overgrown with the thorny raspberry bushes. So overgrown that I can not imagine it is doable beyond June. And in other sections the trail is on mountain top bogs with mud and water and no distinguished trail besides the blazes. Wear long pants and high socks and waterproof shoes in summer if hiking it. It is a great trail but you will get wet feet and the trail gets very overgrown with raspberry thorns. Beyond June, not sure it is worth hiking or biking. Too hard to see the trail. It is a great hike and the middle puts you in an amazing camp site along the Black Forest Trail. But just we aware, beyond June it HAS to be so overgrown it would be tough to hike or bike. It is a ski trail, so maybe they just let it go during the summer.
"I biked this trail along Route 44 on Memorial Day Weekend, 2004, and had a wonderful time. It was my first experience on a rail-trail and I highly recommend it. The path is level, easy to bike, and took me through some very nice scenery. I plan on biking it again in July. It's an incredible ride. For any biking enthusiasts, I very much recommend it.
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