Rolling into Fall in the
Allegheny National Forest
By Sandra Rhodes
Visitor & Member Services
Allegheny National Forest Vacation Bureau
The multitude of outdoor activities in McKean County doesn’t end when summer dues – they only get more colorful.
The bright hues of red, orange and yellow start dotting the hillsides as a true reminder that Fall is Bigger Here.
There’s perhaps no better way to experience the vastness of the area and the kaleidoscope of colors than on a bicycle.
A hub of activity for bicyclist can be found in Smethport, the county seat.
Smethport’s history is rich in lumber and, surprisingly, bicyclists. This stunningly picturesque region is geographically blessed with some of the most advantageous bicycling routes in the nation. The hills that surround this town offer fantastic vistas as well as challenging bike trails.
Those who want to rise to the challenge can take part in A Wheel Around the Hub cycling race on Saturday, Sept. 19.
This race is two-pronged – one is a 53-mile, seven-circuit Gold Watch Race, the other a 15-mile, two circuit fun race.
For more information on the races, log onto smethportpa.org.
There’s something for the leisure bicyclists, too.
Wolfinger Trail System in Smethport offers many loops that meander through wooded land and a chance for the traveler to see the many hues of fall.
The main trailhead is located on Route 46 north, 1.1 miles from the PA 6 intersection.
Big Loop Lodge in Eldred has miles of mountain bike trails that wind through the property. Be on the lookout for some wildlife as The Big Loop provides ideal habitat for the likes of white-tailed deer, black bears, turkeys, grouse and songbirds to name just a few.
For more information on the Big Loop Lodge, call 814-225-4406.
Bettum’s Idlewood Family Campground, located on Big Shanty Road in Lewis Run, also has all-terrain vehicle and mountain bike trails.
There are acres of forest to explore by bike. For more information, call 814-362-1719.
Outside of Bradford, the Indian Pipe Trail, part of the Tuna Valley Trail System, is a multi-use trail that provides opportunities for hikers, bikers and joggers to se a 7.4-mile trail that’s under the stewardship of the Bradford City Water Authority.
The trailhead is located on the right side of PA 346 five miles from Bradford.
The Marienville/Timberline Trail, located in the Allegheny National Forest along Route 66 southwest of Kane, is open to ATVs, trailbikes, horses and mountain bikes and is perfect for those seeking a challenge.
The trail has been divided into a Bike Trail Area and an ATV Trail Area and provides a variety of riding experiences for different types of machines and levels of difficulty. ATVs are permitted on the Bike Trail, and trailbikes are allowed on ATV Trails.
This 23.1 mile loop is rated most difficult and is best suited to trailbikes. The Bike Trail offers a very rocky trail surface that winds and twists through the forest. Trailbikers can finish the trail within a few hours.
The perfect time to explore these trails is during the Tour de Forest from Oct. 2-4 in Marienville.
The Forest Lodge & Campground offers direct trail access and is located on Route 66, six miles north of Marienville, in Pigeon. Reservations can be made at 814-927-8790.
FallFest, an annual celebration of harvest, includes three of the tastiest places in Kane -Flickerwood Wine Cellars, Edgewood Herbs and Rocky Ridge Apple Orchard. It is held Sept. 26-27 at Flickerwood Wine Cellars and offers two days of wine, music, crafts and prizes.
In fact, Kane can serve as your home base as you travel the trails throughout McKean County.
No matter the trail or difficulty level, however, one thing is constant. Fall is Bigger Here and as the wheels of the bikes go swooshing by, so will the vibrant colors that you can only find in McKean County, Pennsylvania.
For more information on this region or for a travel guide, contact the Allegheny National Forest Vacation Bureau at 800-473-9370 or info@visitANF.com.
photos courtesy of the ANFVB
Visitor & Member Services
Allegheny National Forest Vacation Bureau
The multitude of outdoor activities in McKean County doesn’t end when summer dues – they only get more colorful.The bright hues of red, orange and yellow start dotting the hillsides as a true reminder that Fall is Bigger Here.
There’s perhaps no better way to experience the vastness of the area and the kaleidoscope of colors than on a bicycle.
A hub of activity for bicyclist can be found in Smethport, the county seat.
Smethport’s history is rich in lumber and, surprisingly, bicyclists. This stunningly picturesque region is geographically blessed with some of the most advantageous bicycling routes in the nation. The hills that surround this town offer fantastic vistas as well as challenging bike trails.
Those who want to rise to the challenge can take part in A Wheel Around the Hub cycling race on Saturday, Sept. 19.
This race is two-pronged – one is a 53-mile, seven-circuit Gold Watch Race, the other a 15-mile, two circuit fun race.
For more information on the races, log onto smethportpa.org.
There’s something for the leisure bicyclists, too.
Wolfinger Trail System in Smethport offers many loops that meander through wooded land and a chance for the traveler to see the many hues of fall.
The main trailhead is located on Route 46 north, 1.1 miles from the PA 6 intersection.
Big Loop Lodge in Eldred has miles of mountain bike trails that wind through the property. Be on the lookout for some wildlife as The Big Loop provides ideal habitat for the likes of white-tailed deer, black bears, turkeys, grouse and songbirds to name just a few.
For more information on the Big Loop Lodge, call 814-225-4406.
Bettum’s Idlewood Family Campground, located on Big Shanty Road in Lewis Run, also has all-terrain vehicle and mountain bike trails.
There are acres of forest to explore by bike. For more information, call 814-362-1719.
Outside of Bradford, the Indian Pipe Trail, part of the Tuna Valley Trail System, is a multi-use trail that provides opportunities for hikers, bikers and joggers to se a 7.4-mile trail that’s under the stewardship of the Bradford City Water Authority.
The trailhead is located on the right side of PA 346 five miles from Bradford.
The Marienville/Timberline Trail, located in the Allegheny National Forest along Route 66 southwest of Kane, is open to ATVs, trailbikes, horses and mountain bikes and is perfect for those seeking a challenge.
The trail has been divided into a Bike Trail Area and an ATV Trail Area and provides a variety of riding experiences for different types of machines and levels of difficulty. ATVs are permitted on the Bike Trail, and trailbikes are allowed on ATV Trails.
This 23.1 mile loop is rated most difficult and is best suited to trailbikes. The Bike Trail offers a very rocky trail surface that winds and twists through the forest. Trailbikers can finish the trail within a few hours.
The perfect time to explore these trails is during the Tour de Forest from Oct. 2-4 in Marienville.
The Forest Lodge & Campground offers direct trail access and is located on Route 66, six miles north of Marienville, in Pigeon. Reservations can be made at 814-927-8790.
FallFest, an annual celebration of harvest, includes three of the tastiest places in Kane -Flickerwood Wine Cellars, Edgewood Herbs and Rocky Ridge Apple Orchard. It is held Sept. 26-27 at Flickerwood Wine Cellars and offers two days of wine, music, crafts and prizes.
In fact, Kane can serve as your home base as you travel the trails throughout McKean County.
No matter the trail or difficulty level, however, one thing is constant. Fall is Bigger Here and as the wheels of the bikes go swooshing by, so will the vibrant colors that you can only find in McKean County, Pennsylvania.
For more information on this region or for a travel guide, contact the Allegheny National Forest Vacation Bureau at 800-473-9370 or info@visitANF.com.
photos courtesy of the ANFVB
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