This 52.5-mile long, non-motorized rail trail located along the former Allegheny Valley Railroad corridor along the eastern bank of the Allegheny River in Armstrong, Clarion, and Westmoreland counties is on the main spine of the emerging 270-mile Erie to Pittsburgh Trail. Rich in local history, trail users will find remnants of villages, iron furnaces, train stations, a coaling tower, tunnels, an 1899 railroad bridge, and a railroad turntable along the trail. Flora and fauna blossom and bound along the trail, creating a colorful and lively show throughout the seasons.
Currently, 35.5 miles (31 continuous miles) are open for use and have been improved with crushed limestone or asphalt surfaces. Ongoing rehabilitation projects continue on the Brady Tunnel in 2023, which will connect the southern section of the trail to the northern five miles. Phase IIIb will start in mid-April and continue to July, while Phase IIIc — the final phase — will start in September and wrap up in early 2024.
Additionally, the newly acquired 14-mile stretch will be under construction at the southern end of the trail. Armstrong Trails will be laying 10 miles of new trail surface material from our Crooked Creek Trailhead (MP 39) to our Schenley Trailhead (MP 29), along with a 4-mile section from MP 29 toward Leechburg.
As of early February 2023, construction on the trail has not begun due to efforts to salvage the rails and ties, and is currently CLOSED to the public. The Kiskiminetas Bridge is also CLOSED to the public at this time. Recent funding was awarded for the design and engineering of new decking and railing on the bridge. Construction will take place in mid-2023.
Both of these MAJOR pieces of trail infrastructure are expected to be fully open and ready for trail users in early 2024.*
* Disclaimer – Availability of materials may delay the projects. Please check the Armstrong Trails website for up-to-date information on these developments.