The Laurel Mill Trailhead in the Allegheny National Forest sits just four miles from downtown Ridgway, Pennsylvania, and offers five miles of singletrack now open to mountain bikers. The trail system features three stacked loops—Elk Loop, Scout Loop, and Hemlock Loop—rated green, blue, and blue, respectively. These elevations and trail characteristics change depending on which direction you ride, giving the system added versatility.
Elk Loop is the shortest at one mile, with roughly 60ft of elevation gain and loss. Scout Loop stretches just over a mile, climbing and dropping roughly 125ft over its distance. Hemlock Loop is the longest of the three at nearly three miles, with a climb of 180ft and a descent of 314ft.
Sandy Beach Park, located nearby, will eventually connect to Laurel Mill via a trail connector. Once complete, the combined system will offer roughly 10 miles of singletrack total. Sandy Beach will feature more beginner- and intermediate-friendly terrain, including a directional downhill trail, loop trails, and a skills area with a pump track and rock gardens.
