Welcome!
The Snow Shoe Rail Trail has the distinction of being one of Pennsylvania’s only rail trails to permit motorized activity. In fact, this pathway is specifically intended for ATV travel, though hikers, non-motorized bikers, and horseback riders are permitted as well. The trail begins near its namesake borough of Snow Shoe, where a connector trail goes east to join the Bloody Skillet ATV Trail in Sproul State Forest. The main trail, however, heads southwest, passing over a handful of bridges and running alongside Black Moshannon Creek before breaking off in the direction of the Peale Tunnel. Arguably the trail’s most impressive feature, the Peale Tunnel was built in 1883 and sits at an impressive 1,277 feet of length. Shortly after the tunnel is the viaduct bridge, which is now closed to all use but still stretches 770 feet across Moshannon Creek, connecting Centre and Clearfield Counties. After you leave the bridge behind, the Snow Shoe passes alongside the Allegheny Front hiking trail and then deposits you at the Black Bear Trailhead in the community of Windburne.
The Snow Shoe Trail follows the path of what was once the Beech Creek Railroad, established in 1884 by the Clearfield Bituminous Coal Company. After being absorbed by the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad in 1899, the railroad was finally shut down in 1990. This chain of events opened the door for the establishment of the Snow Shoe Rails to Trails Association in 1999.
In a nod to the route’s industrial history, the vast majority of this trail consists of unimproved railroad ballast. These large rock chunks make for a good ATV trail, but they do not always allow for enjoyable hiking and biking. If traveling on foot or by bicycle, be prepared for some pretty rough terrain.
Registration: All motorized vehicles must be registered with the Snow Shoe Rails to Trails Association before they can be used on this trail.
Fees: Motorized usage is $30 per unit after showing proof of current Registration and Liability Insurance. $150 for corporate membership. Non-motorized vehicles travel free of charge.
Dirt Bikes: No dirt bikes are permitted on the trail.
This trail is managed by the Snow Shoe Rails to Trails Association. For more information, visit the Snow Shoe Rails to Trails Website. Contact Snow Shoe Rails to Trails at ssrta1@gmail.com.
Gillentown Trailhead: From Snowshoe, take PA 144 North for 2.2 miles. The trailhead will be on the left.
Black Bear Trailhead: From Philipsburg, take North 9th Street (which becomes Troy Hill Road) northwest to cross Moshannon Creek. After crossing, turn right onto PA-53 and continue for 1.1 miles. Turn right onto Powell Street (which becomes Whitman Street) and continue for 0.8 mile. Turn left to continue onto 6th Street (which becomes Empire Road) and continue for 0.5 mile. Turn right onto Hardscrabble Road and continue for 2.6 miles. Take a slight right onto Casanova Road and continue for 2.2 miles. The trailhead will be on the right.
