In searching for new places to ride I came across the web page for the Rails to Trails program. There is an old railroad bed called the Armstrong Trail. It is along the eastern bank of the Allegheny River in the townships of Bethel, Boggs, Gilpin, Manor, Pine, and Rayburn in Armstrong County and Brady, Madison, and Toby in clarion County. Trail heads are located in East Brady, ford City, Kelly Sataion, Kittanning, Mosgrove, Rimer, and Schenley. The web page states it is 52 miles long with a primitive surface. It also indicated that there are no restrictions and that it is open for public use. This leads me to a couple of questions. Other trails listed indicate instructions for horse travel or "no motorized vehicles". Does anyone have additional information that would tell me if it is legal to ride a quad there, or have first hand experience with riding there? The last thing I want is to get myself in hot water being someplace that I shouldn't. Thanks in advance for any info!

 

Dan,

I grew up near the trail you're talking about, in fact I used to ride on it when there were still rails on it. Still, anytime you see the words "Rails to Trails" you can forget about riding on them with anything with a motor in it. It seems that they are for the ECO-NUTZies (hikers, bicycles, horses). It was a very scenic ride if I recall, but not very challenging.

About the only LEGAL riding areas in western Pa. are in the Alleghenny National Forest. There are a lot of state maintained trails in the central portion of the state.

The good news is that with the increase of registered ATVs in the Commonwealth, they will be adding about 100 miles of trails per year. I don't expect this to be much more than old dirt roads in state forests, but it's a start.

 

I understand the eco stuf. A friend of mine has a camp along the river near Kennerdale and we ride the old railroad bed up there. I just thought because it seems to not have been improved yet, this area might be the same. Anybody know for sure?

 

Dan,

I just visited the site you mentioned. It said under the rules section. NO MOTORIZED USE. It really is a pity too. It would be a really nice ride.