Emlenton Trailhead 1

Starting from the trailhead in Emlenton, this beautiful fence guides your start along the Alleghany River Trail. Actaully, it's purpose is to keep you from straying into the Insdustrial Site that used to inhabit this area. I believe Oil refining operations occurred at the facility from the 1890s until 1980 under different ownerships. Jim Holden, a university professor and farmer, seeing that there were limited areas for safe cycling in his community, co-founded a nonprofit group called the Allegheny Valley Trails Association (AVTA) in 1990. With fellow university professor David Howes, he worked to acquire local unused rail corridors for conversion to rail-trails, and the Allegheny River Trail was their first success.

Emlenton Trailhead 2

Starting from the trailhead in Emlenton, this beautiful fence guides your start along the Alleghany River Trail. Actaully, it's purpose is to keep you from straying into the Insdustrial Site that used to inhabit this area. I believe Oil refining operations occurred at the facility from the 1890s until 1980 under different ownerships. Jim Holden, a university professor and farmer, seeing that there were limited areas for safe cycling in his community, co-founded a nonprofit group called the Allegheny Valley Trails Association (AVTA) in 1990. With fellow university professor David Howes, he worked to acquire local unused rail corridors for conversion to rail-trails, and the Allegheny River Trail was their first success.

Culvert in the Woods

This is an obvious channel into the Alleghany River. What I wonder is whether is was designed for run off from the surrounding hills into the River, or as a flood control relief for the river. I'm standing on a parrell bridge upon which the tracks would have lain. Jim Holden, a university professor and farmer, seeing that there were limited areas for safe cycling in his community, co-founded a nonprofit group called the Allegheny Valley Trails Association (AVTA) in 1990. With fellow university professor David Howes, he worked to acquire local unused rail corridors for conversion to rail-trails, and the Allegheny River Trail was their first success.

Kennerdale Tunnel 1

The Kennerdale Tunnel is one of two signficant tunnels along the Alleghany River Trail. This is the longest of the two at over 3,300 ft. It is also a dogleg tunnel so you don't have to go very far into it before all light is lost.

Rockland Station Ruins

The remnants of an old bridge along the Allegheny River Trail in Rockland Station at the foot of the hill Freedom Falls and the Rockland Iron Furnace which is reported to be the total abandoned site of a small village called Freedom. It can be seen that this bridge could have connected to Rockland Rd and lies parrallel to the old rail bridge leading to the Rockland Tunnel, but I don't have any other historical reference to it's acutually purpose. If anyone can add to it's history please leave comments. Hope you enjoy.

Kennerdale Tunnel 2

Inside looking out The Kennerdale Tunnel is one of two signficant tunnels along the Alleghany River Trail. This is the longest of the two at

Just Riding Along, Singing a Song

Jim Holden, a university professor and farmer, seeing that there were limited areas for safe cycling in his community, co-founded a nonprofit group called the Allegheny Valley Trails Association (AVTA) in 1990. With fellow university professor David Howes, he worked to acquire local unused rail corridors for conversion to rail-trails, and the Allegheny River Trail was their first success.

The Beginning of Autum

Jim Holden, a university professor and farmer, seeing that there were limited areas for safe cycling in his community, co-founded a nonprofit group called the Allegheny Valley Trails Association (AVTA) in 1990. With fellow university professor David Howes, he worked to acquire local unused rail corridors for conversion to rail-trails, and the Allegheny River Trail was their first success.

Cabin in the Woods

It was a striking site to see this A frame standing watch over the valley below. What a sight it must be to look down from there.

Barrel in the Woods 1

A few of these barrels can be seen along the Alleghany River Trail a Rails to Trail creation. They are obviously associated with the trains that used to run this track but I don't know if they were water barrels or oil barrels. If you know the answer please explain in the comments.

Barrel in the Woods 2 in the Woods 2

A few of these barrels can be seen along the Alleghany River Trail a Rails to Trail creation. They are obviously associated with the trains that used to run this track but I don't know if they were water barrels or oil barrels. If you know the answer please explain in the comments.

Belmar Bridge

Part of the Sandy Creek Trail, the Belmar Bridge is 1385 feet long with a wooden deck and railings and a great view of the river valley

Sandy Creek Bridge

Near the Fishermans Cove Trailhead this bridge crosses Sandy Creek and can be seen from the Alleghany River Trail across the river. In fact, these two trails run parallel to each other from Fisherman's cove to the Belmar Bridge

Belmar Bridge

The spectacular Belmar Bridge over the Allegheny River was built in 1907 as part of a railroad built by local oil man Charles Miller and John D. Rockefeller intended to connect New York with Chicago. Ultimately, it transported much of the coal from Clarion County to Ashtabula on Lake Erie. https://www.avta-trails.org/sandy-creek-trail.php This Rails to Trails bridge is 1,385' long or just over 1/4 mile and a spectacular view of the Allegheny River