Armstrong Trails

Description

Named for the county in which it is primarily located, the Armstrong winds along the scenic Allegheny River and stretches from its junction with the Kiskiminetas (“Kiski”) River in the south to the community of East Brady in the north. Along the way, you’ll encounter the remarkably flat terrain of the Allegheny Plateau and a spectacular diversity of flora and fauna, from the distinctive 3 petals of the trillium wildflower to the feathery majesty of the Bald Eagle. Much of the Armstrong’s appeal also lies in its location, sandwiched between urban developments of Pittsburgh to the south and a string of small riverside towns to the north. There are plenty of other trails nearby in both regions, including connections to the Cowanshannock Trail (north of Kittanning) and the Redbank Valley Trail (east of East Brady). Additionally, the Tredway and Butler-Freeport Community Trails are very close to the Armstrong’s southern terminus, and these allow for convenient access to a vast network of Pittsburgh trails.

To experience everything the Armstrong has to offer, you may want to begin your journey in the south, in the community of Schenley. Almost immediately, you’ll cross the newly restored Kiski Junction Railroad Bridge, which carries you across the Kiski River and onto the newest segment of trail—the path’s southernmost 10 miles were only added in April 2024. You’ll trek north through a suburban landscape of housing developments before crossing Crooked Creek to enter Ford City, an old company town created by Pittsburgh Plate Glass in 1887. Farther north is Kittanning, the Armstrong’s largest trail town. After this point, you’ll notice that the scenery becomes less developed, with the Allegheny coming into clearer view as you progress northward. You’ll get a look at the Monticello Iron Furnace and the Mosgrove Railroad Trestle, pass through Templeton, and then cross into Clarion County over Redbank Creek. Here at Redbank, an old coal tower stands as a testament to the railroad that once followed this same path. The trail soon curves west into the neighboring communities of Phillipston and East Brady. Here, you’ll see the closed Brady Tunnel, plus an authentic railyard and turntable in Phillipston. The trail appears to end here in the Brady’s Bend region, but there’s actually another 4.5 miles to go. Because Brady Tunnel is closed, you’ll have to drive to access the remaining stretch of trail, which continues to follow the Allegheny River northward without passing any major landmarks.

As the many industrial features along its banks would suggest, the Allegheny River has a long history as a commercial route. From 1806 onward, its waters carried boats loaded with copious amounts of iron, lumber, and oil south to Pittsburgh; this waterway was a relevant means of transportation well into the 1860s. Meanwhile, 1855 saw the establishment of the Allegheny Valley Railroad, which rapidly overtook the adjacent river as the most efficient way to transport coal, farm products, iron, and lumber. The railroad gradually grew northward, reaching Phillipston in 1867, and it constructed its Low-Grade Division to stretch eastward in the 1870s. Today, the Redbank Valley rail trail follows this eastern corridor. However, as time wore on, funds started to run low, and the Allegheny Valley Railroad could not survive. After declaring bankruptcy, the entire railway was bought out by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1900. It was under this new ownership that the Brady Tunnel was constructed in 1916, bypassing an inconvenient 6-mile bend in the river. Finally, after more than a century of service to Armstrong County, the railroad shut down in 1984, opening the door for purchase by what is now Armstrong Trails.

If you can’t get enough of Armstrong Trails, you’re not alone. Plans are already in place to extend the route even further, with an additional 4 miles south of Schenley connecting to the borough of Leechburg. Look for this extension to be completed very soon!

Other Information

Organizational History:

In 2022, Armstrong County, in partnership with Armstrong Trails (formerly Allegheny Valley 
Land Trust), acquired the Kiski Junction Railroad. Between 2023 and 2024, the former rail 
corridor was converted into a 14-mile extension of the trail. This project marked a historic first 
for the county—where a railroad was abandoned, railbanked by Allegheny Valley Land Trust, 
acquired through a Declaration of Taking by Kiski Junction Railroad, actively operated, and 
ultimately transformed into a trail.
A critical component of the project was the rehabilitation of the Kiski Bridge, a former railroad 
bridge repurposed for trail use. This extensive effort included removing the rails, repairing 
structural components, and installing a new trail surface and safety features to ensure 
accessibility for all users. The bridge now serves as a vital connection across the Kiskiminetas 
River, linking communities and enhancing regional trail connectivity.
Armstrong Trails completed the 14-mile extension using $800,000 in donated services and 
equipment, $950,000 in volunteer 9me, and $185,000 in cash, showcasing a strong 
collabora9ve effort to expand non-motorized outdoor recrea9on opportuni9es in the region.

Caution: The Brady Tunnel (near East Brady) and the Leechburg extension (near Schenley) are both closed. Do not attempt to enter either one of these areas.

Hours: The trail remains open from dawn to dusk.

Hunting: Parts of the trail pass by State Game Lands. For your own safety, wear orange during hunting seasons. Visit the PA Game Commission Website for more information on hunting seasons.

Camping: You must have prior permission to camp anywhere along this trail. Even then, camping is only permitted in certain places. Plan ahead, and do not trespass on private property.

Accessibility: The maximum grade at any point is 8%, with an average grade of only 1-2%. The trail’s minimum width is 6 feet, with an average width of 9 feet.

Trail Manager

This trail is managed by Armstrong Trails. For more information, visit the Armstrong Trails Website. Contact Armstrong Trails at armstrongtrails@gmail.com.