Westmoreland Heritage Trail & West Penn Trail — Delmont, PA to Saltsburg, PA

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Westmoreland Heritage Trail & West Penn Trail 24-Mile Bike Ride

Come out for a ride! This is part of a trail ride series sponsored by the Ohio River Trail Council (ORTC) intended to bring awareness to the wonderful trails in our quad-state region (Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia). All cyclists are welcome for this rails-to-trails, moderate-paced ride.

Join us, as we visit the Westmoreland Heritage Trail. This scenic ride includes a 9-mile ride from Delmont,, PA to Saltsburgh Playground in Saltsburgh, PA, which connects to the West Penn Trail at at Canal and High streets. The ride continues along the West Penn Trail for an additional 4-miles along the Conemaugh River for more than 4 miles, passing through beautiful woodlands filled with lush green vegetation to Elders Run,Conemaugh, PA .

Do not forget your camera!

Trailhead

John G. Rangos and James Peretto Family Trail Access Area - Athena Drive just north of Delmont, PA.

GPS: 40.428391, -79.559436

Features and Points of Interest:

The Westmoreland Heritage Trail travels along a section of the Turtle Creek Branch of the Penn Central Railroad right of way, which was abandoned in 1972. The rail line was originally opened in 1852 by a subsidiary of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, led by George Westinghouse, Jr. to connect Saltsburg and Export. The line served to transport both passengers and freight between the many towns along its route. This crushed-limestone trail features reclaimed railroad bridges over the Conemaugh River and Loyalhanna Creek, both offering great views of the river hydraulics below. The trail offers opportunities for bird watchers and other naturalists as well. A trip along this scenic trail is pleasant even on the hottest summer day, as you will find yourself enveloped by a lush deciduous canopy. A portion of the trail runs along a small tributary that attracts various wildlife, and natural seeps can been seen in the limestone at various points along the trail.

At its eastern end, in the town of Saltsburg the Westmoreland Heritage Trail connects to the West Penn Trail. The Westmoreland trail currently ends at State Highway 819 in Slickville but the Regional Trail Corporation plans to extend the trail to Trafford for a total of 22-miles.

The West Penn Trail, a National Recreation Trail, runs largely along the corridor of the Portage Railroad line that operated from 1830 to 1864 between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg.

Map

Social

Following the ride, a social gathering and dinner will be held at a local restaurant.

Attachments:
Westmoreland_Heritage_Trail_Map.pdf	[ ]
West_Penn_Trail_Map.pdf	[ ]