|
Hiking at Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site is a unique way to get some great exercise and also learn the amazing history from this site. Park trails follow sections of the original route of the Allegheny Portage Railroad and allow hikers to see where important features of the railroad would have been located. Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site has over 15 miles of trails in different sections of the park. Park ranger guided hikes are offered in the summer months. Weather permitting, park grounds and trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Please note that winter trail maintenance and snow removal is not provided. Hiking Regulations:Trails are for pedestrian use only.
NPS Skew Arch Bridge TrailThe Skew Arch Bridge can be accessed by a trail at the end of the boardwalk. It is approximately 1/3 mile long each way. Please keep in mind that you are roughly walking alongside Incline 6 on your way down, so it is uphill on the way back! The bridge is also accessible by vehicle from Old Route 22 where there is a small parking lot in front of the bridge! 
NPS Inclines 6 to 10 TrailThe Inclines 6 to 10 Trail system of the park follows the route of the Allegheny Portage Railroad.Trailheads are located at the park Visitor Center and along Dry Run Road. Parking is available at the trailheads as well as State Gamelands and parking lots. The Inclines 6 to 10 Trail is over 8 miles long following the main section of the trail from start to finish. If you also hike the loop trails that follow the oldest sections of the railroad, the entire 6 to 10 Trail is over 12 miles. The trail section from the Visitor Center to Muleshoe is for hiking only. Sections of this upper portion are very steep and rugged. The section from Muleshoe to Foot of Ten has a limestone dust surface and can be used by bicyclists. Please see the trail map below or the park tiles map. Additional information can be found on our Inclines 6 to 10 Trail page. Please respect the private property of nearby landowners. 
NPS Summit Level TrailThis trail starts at the head of Inclined Plane 6, at Engine House 6 and ends at the head of Inclined Plane 5. Hikers can follow the railroad trace for approximately one mile to the park boundary. A short distance from there, it turns into a paved road maintained by Cresson Township.Round trip, this hike on nearly flat ground, is a little over 3 miles in length. The Summit Level was the highest point that the Allegheny Portage Railroad crossed the Allegheny Mountains. 
NPS Picnic Area TrailFrom the Summit Level, there is a trail to the left of the railroad trace to the picnic area. The distance from the Lemon House to the picnic area is 1/3 mile. If you are looking for a longer hike, the trail loops down to the railroad trace farther down on the Summit Level. The full section to the picnic area, looping down to the Summit Level and following the railroad trace back is about one mile. This trail contains mixed terrain; there are flat portions and parts with steeper slopes.
NPS Nature Loop TrailThe Nature Loop Trail starts off in the woods to the right of the railroad trace on the Summit Level. The beginning of the trail is marked with a sign on the service road a short distance up the hill from the Lemon House. The trail contains steep climbs as it goes to one of the higher points in the park. It then circles down to the railroad trace along the Summit Level. The entire trail is about one mile long.
NPS Staple Bend Tunnel TrailSince, 2001, the Staple Bend Tunnel has been open as a separate area of Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site. It is not in the immediate area of the Summit Level Visitor Center. Rather, it is near the town of Mineral Point, 5 miles from Johnstown. Once you park your vehicle at the trail head, it is a two mile walk to the Staple Bend Tunnel (and, of course, a two mile return trip to your vehicle). You are welcome to bring bicycles, but no motorized transport for the limestone dust surfaced trail. Directions: Take US Route 22 to the Mundy's Corner/Nanty Glo exit. Turn right onto PA Route 271 South. Continue on Route 271 South approximately 5 miles until a (marked) left turn onto Mineral Point Road (PA 3030). After approximately 2 miles make a (marked) right turn onto Beech Hill Road and proceed over the bridge. Go through the railroad underpass (wait for the green light!); the paved parking lot for Staple Bend Tunnel will be located on the right. Please use the parking lot and do not block the emergency access road. This same parking area is used for the Path of the Flood trail. 
Doug Bosley BikingBicycle use is prohibited on park roads closed to public travel. Bicycle use is prohibited on all trails in the parks, except the Staple Bend Tunnel Trail and the bicycle section of the 6-10 Trail, from the Muleshoe Bridge to the Dry Run Road trailhead parking area. More information about the use of bikes at the park can be found in the Superintendents Compendium. 
The black line represents areas that are hiking and biking. The dashed line represents areas that are hiking only. NPS 
The black line represents areas that are hiking and biking. The dashed line represents areas that are hiking only. NPS |
Last updated: October 8, 2024