Our main goal was to go to freedom falls and rocklund furnace for some great photos. You will also crossover three streams that are orange from mine run off. First, the small: There are spots along the trail, especially in the southern half, where tree roots have pushed up the asphalt. The scenery was beautiful riding along the river. We then rode south from Franklin to just south of Brandon for a 30 mile ride. You’ll cross the Clarion River in another 0.5 mile and reach the path’s end at the PA 368 bridge to Parker. Fortunately that detour is only 3/4 mile and most of can be ridden at this point, but at some point the state needs to exercise its domain rights and force the man who is blocking the improvement of the detour road to allow it. The bicycle ride back up river is easily done in a day.
Trail follows the Allegheny River. It is a very pretty ride. We headed North on the trail to Franklin. It serves as a key component of the growing Erie-to-Pittsburgh Trail, a 270-mile network comprised primarily of rail-trails, which is currently 60 percent complete. The Clarion-Little Toby Trail lets you venture on the wild side for 18 miles as it traverses remote state hunting grounds adjoining the Allegheny National Forest. So altogether we did a 60 mile round trip. Between the trail’s natural beauty and their incredible volunteer power, this trail was a natural fit to round out the Top 10. To reach the trailhead in Emlenton from I-80, take Exit 42 to PA 38/Oneida Valley Road. To reach the northern trailhead in Franklin from I-80, take Exit 29 to PA 8/Pittsburgh Road.
Near the end of the road, there were a number of private property signs accross the road. Both of these tunnels have doglegs and are dark, so you’ll need a flashlight. The two tunnels were gorgeous, but the Rockland Tunnel needs some work due to water leakage into the tunnel. Would recommend anyone within driving distance who likes to ride and get out in nature to get on and ride this trail. Lovely path, full of interesting sights and not crowded at all. ", "For the past five years, over labor day weekend, a group of us have ridden the C&O canal from Cumberland to Georgetown. Even a bench here and there to take a break at would be an improvement.
The pavement ends abruptly just north of Kennerdell. The trail is paved through the tunnels and three rows of reflectors mark the trail edges and center. Once in a while you might encounter the tractor mowing the grass along the side.
The trail is very remote in places, so a patch kit and a biking partner is highly recommended. We stayed in Franklin and I biked the four local great trails. And here's something: lengthy unlit tunnels are COLD in cooler weather. This scenic ride departs from town of Emlenton and travels 13-miles north along the Allegheny River to Kennerdell and back.
Continue west on Rockland Station Road to the trailhead and parking, which are well marked.