I recently ventured onto the Ghost Town Trail outside of Indiana, PA mostly just because of the name. It sounds so very adventurous. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was easily a rival for the Great Allegheny Passage in terms of interest and beauty and bikability. If you’re looking for a fall foliage ride in the coming months, you would not do wrong to visit this trail. For some more pictures of the trail, head over to our Facebook photos page.
Here’s the basics you need to know. The Ghost Town Trail in full is 40 miles one way, from Blacklick to Ebensburg. If you’re unfamiliar with these towns, know that Blacklick is just over an hour east of Pittsburgh; take Rt. 22 to Rt. 119 North and you’ll drive into Blacklick just south of Indiana. The trailhead for the Ghost Town Trail is located in Saylor Park, and there is a sign for both the park and the rail trail on Rt. 119 North directing you where to turn.
This area is coal country and you’ll ride past the remnants of over a hundred years of mining and industry along this trail, those are the “ghost towns”. The Ghost Town Trail is well-maintained crushed limestone dust and easy to ride. You peddle alongside Blacklick Creek for most of the time and you’ll notice that the water is suspiciously rust-colored. This is a result of the mining history of the area. However, the trees and scenery in general are truly gorgeous and will only get better throughout the fall.
East of Dilltown, the trail passes most of the “ghost towns” as well as the Eliza Furnace. We did pass the remains of the Buena Vista Furnace on the Blacklick-Dilltown section. Take your pick of which section to ride if you prefer not to do the entire 40 miles. The Blacklick-Dilltown section is beautiful and the closest trailhead to Pittsburgh. The Dilltown to Ebensburg section includes more of the historic “sites”.
At the time of my ride, the last bridge connecting the trail system was just being finished. So biking from Saylor Park in Blacklick, you could ride about 12 miles east and end just before Dilltown where the bridge needs to be completed. According to the schedule, it is to be opened Sept. 11 and it appeared to be on track for that date. By the end of the month, I’ve no doubt the entire 40 mile trail will be connected.
Less crowds, beautiful scenery, and a well-maintained trail – the Ghost Town Trail is another remarkable rail-trail in the Pennsylvania system and a quality alternative to the GAP for those who like rail-trails and/or want to try something a bit new. Kudos to the Indiana, Cambrian, and Westmoreland County parks and regional trail system for putting the money into building and maintaining this trail.
Here’s the basics you need to know. The Ghost Town Trail in full is 40 miles one way, from Blacklick to Ebensburg. If you’re unfamiliar with these towns, know that Blacklick is just over an hour east of Pittsburgh; take Rt. 22 to Rt. 119 North and you’ll drive into Blacklick just south of Indiana. The trailhead for the Ghost Town Trail is located in Saylor Park, and there is a sign for both the park and the rail trail on Rt. 119 North directing you where to turn.
This area is coal country and you’ll ride past the remnants of over a hundred years of mining and industry along this trail, those are the “ghost towns”. The Ghost Town Trail is well-maintained crushed limestone dust and easy to ride. You peddle alongside Blacklick Creek for most of the time and you’ll notice that the water is suspiciously rust-colored. This is a result of the mining history of the area. However, the trees and scenery in general are truly gorgeous and will only get better throughout the fall.
East of Dilltown, the trail passes most of the “ghost towns” as well as the Eliza Furnace. We did pass the remains of the Buena Vista Furnace on the Blacklick-Dilltown section. Take your pick of which section to ride if you prefer not to do the entire 40 miles. The Blacklick-Dilltown section is beautiful and the closest trailhead to Pittsburgh. The Dilltown to Ebensburg section includes more of the historic “sites”.
At the time of my ride, the last bridge connecting the trail system was just being finished. So biking from Saylor Park in Blacklick, you could ride about 12 miles east and end just before Dilltown where the bridge needs to be completed. According to the schedule, it is to be opened Sept. 11 and it appeared to be on track for that date. By the end of the month, I’ve no doubt the entire 40 mile trail will be connected.
Less crowds, beautiful scenery, and a well-maintained trail – the Ghost Town Trail is another remarkable rail-trail in the Pennsylvania system and a quality alternative to the GAP for those who like rail-trails and/or want to try something a bit new. Kudos to the Indiana, Cambrian, and Westmoreland County parks and regional trail system for putting the money into building and maintaining this trail.
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