Peddle the PW&S Bike Trail

Mountain bikers looking for a challenging and scenic ride should visit the PW&S Trail in the Laurel Highlands of Westmoreland and Somerset counties. The trail derives its name from the abandoned Pittsburgh, Westmoreland and Somerset Railroad. Portions of the trail have been routed on the old railroad grade. The PW&S opened in 1899 to haul timber and coal from Laurel Summit to Ligonier. In addition to timber and coal, the PW&S carried “bluestone,” an extremely hard limestone that was used to pave city streets in Pittsburgh. In 1906 the railroad was extended over Laurel Summit to Somerset. By 1909 the mountain had been stripped of timber. Without its primary sources of revenue, the PW&S was abandoned in 1916.

The trail is located within Forbes State Forest and Linn Run, Laurel Summit, and Laurel Ridge state parks. Design and construction of the PW&S Trail was a collaborative effort between the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and the Loyalhanna Watershed Association.

The PW&S Trail features a 38-mile network of trails rated for moderate- and expert-level riders. Portions of the network feature rocky, steep and narrow trails, while others sections are routed on the wider, gentler grades of the railroad. Five loops ranging in length from 3.5 miles to 10.5 miles have been established. The photos above show (clockwise starting top right): joint use with Linn Run Road about 1/2 mile east of Linn Run State Park; the northern end of the trail at Laurel Summit and Locust Camps Road; a trail marker from the 9.5-mile Linn Run loop; and, looking down the spur in Laurel Summit. All photos courtesy of DCNR except for the trail marker, which was taken by Michael Kuzemchak, WPC Ligonier Valley Program Coordinator.

Access to the PW&S Trail is available at several points along Linn Run Road and Laurel Summit Road. Restrooms, water and picnic areas are available at Linn Run and Laurel Summit state parks. A map of the PW&S Trail can be obtained by contacting Forbes State Forest, P.O. Box 519, Laughlintown, PA 15655, (724) 238-1200, email: fd04.state.pa.us, or going to the DCNR website.

Play Know Your Western Pennsylvania Birds

E-mail Today's WPC Daily to a Friend!

Sign Up for WPC Daily