When it comes to mountain biking in the Northeast, Pennsylvania is a true sleeper hit. The state sits south of the iconic mountain ranges in Upstate New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, and north of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains and West Virginia, the “mountain state.” However, Mother Nature has blessed Pennsylvania with verdant, rolling hills and downright mountainous terrain in the central and western portions of the state, characterized by sharp ridges and deep valleys that dissect the landscape.
Throughout this intriguing topography, Pennsylvania boasts large swaths of undeveloped land protected by a robust state parks system, a series of state forests, and the Allegheny National Forest in the northwestern corner of the state. Not to be outdone, big cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh boast excellent mountain bike trails (sometimes right in town), thanks to expansive urban park systems.
We asked Pennsylvania riders to tell us which trail systems in the state are “must-ride” for natives and travelers alike, and consulted with local trail advocates and bike shop owners to get their input as well. The result: this list of five trails in Pennsylvania that are not to be missed, plus runner-up trail systems that should be on riders’ radars.
The Trails at Jakes Rocks, Warren
This 33-mile trail system near the town of Warren in northwestern Pennsylvania was professionally built from the ground up “to address a notable gap in Warren County’s recreational landscape: high-quality mountain bike trails,” according to a press release. Jakes Rocks (as it’s often called) was listed as a runner-up on our 2017 list, but following the completion of the build-out, it’s now widely regarded as one of the best trail systems in Pennsylvania.
Having ridden Jakes Rocks myself, I can attest to the incredible quality of this trail system. It’s immediately evident how well-designed and constructed the trails are. Since Dirt Artisans began with a blank canvas, they were able to sculpt an artfully-crafted stacked-loop trail system so that beginner, intermediate, and advanced riders alike can easily access trails they’ll enjoy. For example, the beginner loop, located on top of the mountain, is mostly flat and is easily accessible from a trailhead off a forest road.
In fact, the trail system is so well-built that even mountain bikers of different disciplines will find themselves thoroughly enjoying the trails — just in different ways. Riders who just want to get sendy and don’t want to pedal far can crank out fast laps on the Black Snake and Devil’s Drop jump trails, which are located right next to the paved road for easy access. Endurance-oriented riders can pedal the longer loops, with a more up-and-down trail character. Trails like Elijah, Longhouse, and Bent Run can be combined to create a lengthy ride, making the most of the network’s 35 miles.
And for those wondering: yes, the Trails at Jakes Rocks are open to Class 1 e-bikes.
Allegrippis, Raystown
Also known as Raystown Lake, Allegrippis features a stacked loop trail system boasting 32 miles of rolling singletrack. In general, the trails at Allegrippis are fast and flowing, leading one Singletracks reviewer to characterize the system as “the largest pump track in North America.”
The trail system was built in 2009, and it “completely transformed the riding available to locals in the area,” said Emil Eklund of Rothrock Outfitters. “The trails are all machine-built, with emphasis on being smooth and flowy. The antithesis of [the] riding available in the area beforehand.”
Allegrippis is a destination in its own right, thanks to a campground located directly adjacent to the trails and the aforementioned lake — perfect for a mid- or post-ride swim during the heat of summer.
For a true beatdown, consider joining Rothrock Outfitters for their annual ALLegrippis ride, “where we ride every trail in one day with as little doubling back of trails as possible,” according to Eklund. “This ride ends up being about 43 miles long and takes about 8 hours at a group pace with a pizza break in the middle.”
Even if you’re not up for the full 43-mile epic, “there is something for everyone to enjoy here,” Eklund concluded.
North Park, Pittsburgh
With over 40 miles of trails located just 10 miles from downtown, North Park in Pittsburgh is considered one of the best trail networks in Western Pennsylvania. The Pittsburgh Off Road Cyclists (PORC) help maintain the mostly XC-style trails and even host regular group rides at North Park.
Whether you want to pedal a quick after-work loop or crank out an all-day epic, North Park is the place to go. While it can take some work to stitch together a comprehensive loop, once you get the lay of the land, the trail connectivity begins to make a certain sort of sense.
“Great trails!” raved former Singletracks writer and Pennsylvania native Helena Kotala. “A little bit of everything — some roots, rocks, log-overs, and some steep climbs and descents, but mainly fairly smooth and flowy trails. Optional lines that include some more tech mixed things up a bit. There is also an extensive skills park area, pumptrack, and downhill freeride course and jumps. I went with someone who knew the trails, which was helpful. […] Overall, really great trails with lots of variety! Stop at OTB after for a burger and beer.”
Rothrock State Forest, State College
Rothrock State Forest in State College offers up some of the most technical, mountainous riding in the state of Pennsylvania. Within the forest, trails like Tussey Ridge, “Beautiful,” and Wildcat Gap are considered “must-rides,” especially for those who enjoy rocky trails. Not only that, there’s an IMBA Epic route known as the Cooper’s Gap Epic, located within Rothrock State Forest as well.
“Cooper’s Gap [in Rothrock State Forest] has it all,” wrote Brent Radar. “Heart-pounding climbs, rock gardens, hair-raising descents, beautiful views, and more. Check it out — Pennsylvania mountain biking at its best!”
While Rothrock is home to iconic old-school singletrack, the area has seen modern trail development in recent years, with new machine-built flow on the Coathanger Loop and a brand-new flow trail built on the Musser Fern Winder Loop. The Rothrock Trail Alliance and Dirt Sculpt built these new school trails at “a previously little-used trailhead,” according to Dominic Daniels, Board Member for the Nittany Mountain Biking Association. “Now, thanks to an easement from Penn State and Clearwater Conservancy, it’s possible to ride this from downtown State College without needing a car, which is awesome,” Daniels added.
Wissahickon Valley Park, Philadelphia
The Wiss, as it’s known, is a massive park system beginning at the Schuykill River just north of downtown Philly, stretching its tentacles nearly a dozen miles to the city’s northern limits. A multi-use trail runs the length of the park with singletrack trails peeling off in either direction, though not all trails are officially open to mountain bikes. However, the trails that are open to bikes offer up everything from fast flow to techy rock gardens. While there aren’t a lot of sustained climbs to be found in the Wiss, short, steep climbs and descents abound!
“For being so close to the city, this place is a gem!” wrote Singletracks trail reviewer BigBenG.
Runners-up
- Rattling Creek, Lykens
- Michaux State Forest, Chambersburg
- Yellow Creek State Park, Indiana
- Moraine State Park, New Castle
- Blue Mountain Bike Park, Palmerton
1 Comments
0 minutes ago
North park is maintained by Trail Pittsburgh though. And I wouldn't put it in the top five anymore but it is good for an after work ride.