The Path of the Flood Trail might be unique among rail-trails for being named after a tragedy, the Johnstown Flood of 1889, considered the nation’s worst catastrophe of the 19th century. Some 2,200 people lost their lives when the South Fork Dam failed and 20 million tons of water washed down the narrow Little Conemaugh River Valley for 14 miles to Johnstown, destroying everything in its path.
The trail is paired with the Staple Bend Tunnel Trail, which preserves a tunnel finished in 1833 as the nation’s first railroad tunnel. The National Park Service operates the 901-foot-long tunnel and associated trail. Both trails are part of the Trans Allegheny Trail System, comprised of several trails in western Pennsylvania. The Path of the Flood Trail is also part of the September 11th National Memorial Trail that connects the 9/11, Flight 93, and Pentagon Memorials, as well as the Industrial Heartland Trails Coalition’s developing 1,500-mile trail network through Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and New York.
Together, they follow the course of the Allegheny Portage Railroad. Built in the 1830s, the railroad carried barges across Allegheny highlands, connecting the eastern and western segments of the Pennsylvania Canal. Eventually becoming obsolete, the portage railroad was acquired in 1857 by the Pennsylvania Railroad, which discontinued using some segments (it never used the tunnel) and upgraded others.
Including on-road sections, the two trails run 11.8 miles along the Little Conemaugh River. Given the nature of the Allegheny Portage Railroad—level sections paired with steep inclines, rather than the gradual slopes associated with most railroads—the Staple Bend Tunnel Trail has a short, steep grade in each direction. The off-road trail comprises mostly crushed stone, with a 0.5 mile of aggregate stone surfacing near the Staple Bend Tunnel.
The route starts at the Johnstown Flood Museum (jaha.org) at 304 Washington St. The trail is mostly on sidewalks and city streets in this 4.2-mile segment to the Staple Bend Tunnel Trail. Follow the bike route signs on Washington and Clinton Streets; turn left on the Phoebe Court Bridge, then use the tunnel under the railroad tracks. The trail continues right on Plum Street to a short trail that follows switchbacks on an old trolley line. Emerging in East Conemaugh, turn right onto Cambria Street and left onto East Railroad Street. You’ll then need to make a series of three lefts onto Davis, Greeve, and Main Streets, respectively. Take the SR 271/Main Street bridge across the river to Franklin, and then turn left onto Main Street for 0.5 mile.
Turn left onto Pershing Street, and take the right fork to the parking area at Franklin Borough Ball Field. In about 1 mile, the surface changes to a bikeable aggregate stone surface for 0.5 mile to the Staple Bend Tunnel, which carried barge traffic over the mountains via rail. Note that this section, while maneuverable by wheelchair and bike, contains some challenging hills. Entering the tunnel, notice the ornamental stonework at the west portal, which was designed to impress users; a similar portal on the east side was removed in 1907. A flashlight isn’t absolutely necessary, but it would allow you to closely examine the workmanship inside the tunnel.
Back to crushed stone, the tunnel trail continues 2 miles to the Beech Hill Road trailhead. Turn left and cross the bridge to Mineral Point, and then turn right onto Mineral Point Road and right onto Reynolds Lane to pick up the Path of the Flood Trail. The trail follows a bench overlooking the Little Conemaugh River, the surrounding forest, and the tracks of the Norfolk Southern Railroad. Following a slight uphill grade for the next 2 miles, you’ll see the borough of South Fork across the river and its confluence with the South Fork Little Conemaugh River, which carried the deluge from the failed dam. Signs mark historic points on this segment.
The off-road trail ends just ahead at Portage Street. Continue on Portage Street 0.4 mile, and then on Second Street another 0.4 mile to Penn Street. Turn right onto Penn Street, and go a little less than 0.1 mile to the Ehrenfeld Park trailhead, where you’ll find parking, a drinking fountain, and restrooms.
Note that to avoid the hilly section near the Staple Bend Tunnel in Johnstown, some trail users opt to do an out-and-back trip to the tunnel beginning at the Ehrenfeld Park or Beech Hill Road trailheads.
In 2023, the trail was extended across the Conemaugh River bridge, through South Fork, and then along the South Fork Little Conemaugh River to about 0.2 mile away from the dam and the Johnstown Flood National Memorial (nps.gov/jofl).
To reach the western endpoint at the Johnstown Flood Museum from I-76, take Exit 110 toward US 219/Somerset/Johnstown. Continue on PA Turnpike Access Road for 0.3 mile, and then continue on N. Pleasant Ave. 0.4 mile. Turn left onto SR 281/Stoystown Road, go 1.9 miles, and exit right onto US 219. Go 23.8 miles, and take the SR 56/Johnstown Expy. exit. Go 5.3 miles, and turn right onto Walnut St. Then go 0.3 mile, and turn right onto Washington St. The museum is located at this intersection at 304 Washington St. Look for on-street parking.
To reach the eastern trailhead at Ehrenfeld Park from I-76, follow the directions above to US 219. Go 31 miles, and exit toward South Fork, turning left onto SR 53 N/Railroad St. Go 0.8 mile, and turn right onto Oak St. Then go 0.1 mile, turn right onto Portage St., and go 0.1 mile. Take a slight right onto Second St., and go 0.4 mile. Turn right onto Penn St., and then turn right onto Mt. Carmel St. Look for parking immediately to your left at Ehrenfeld Park.
We tried following the TrailLink map beginning at the Johnstown Flood Museum. The trail is not well marked. It disappears at the end of Plum Street. This could be a great ride if it were maintained. We ended up following the rail line, riding and walking on ballast until we found ourselves in Conemaugh. We rode to the Spruce Street trailhead in Franklin but decided to end our ride and follow RT 271 back to Johnstown. We would have loved to continue riding north but didn't know what to expect.
We started the trail from the Frank’s town end biking, the first 1/2 mile was not too bad, but the next 1/2 to 3/4 mile is pretty rough and steep if you are used to a smoother surface, there is a pretty steep hill down and then up to the tunnel, once you get to the north side of the tunnel, the surface is great to mineral point , I would caution if you are doubt this with children you will be going on the road to cross the river at Mineral point, once north of Mineral point, you have another climb and not as good of a surface, we only rode about 1 mile north of Mineral point, so I can’t comment on there north, my recommendation if you want a short smooth ride part at Mineral point .overall a fair trail.trailhead and go sout 2
This is a nice little trail. Don’t bother with the Ehrenfeld Trailhead unless you want a few extra miles or the space is full at the next trailhead. The trail is on road anyway and has some short but tough hills for a casual cyclist. That said, we really liked the trail. It rolls up and down, much more than most rail trails but nothing serious. The trail does have a lot of double track the first miles so I wouldn’t recommend for a trike. The tunnel is great. Very much worth the ride. This isn’t a destination trail, of course, but it’s one you should ride if you’re in the area.
Amazing trail was worth the ride to get there
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