Allegheny River & Samuel Justus Trails

Over Labor Day weekend, 2015, we rode 20.5 miles of the 27.5 mile Allegheny River Trail from Emlenton to Franklin PA and the 6 mile Samuel Justus Trail from Franklin to Oil City PA. This trail has tunnels and you will need to have a light on your bike to navigate them. The trail is paved except for a one mile section around private property.

To reach the Emlenton access from from the west, take Route 80 exit 42 north onto Rt. 38, turn right onto 38 (Emlenton Clintonville Rd.) and follow Rt. 38 accross the Allegheny River bridge into Emlenton. Turn left onto Main Street. To reach the access from the east, take Route 80 exit 45 north and turn left onto Rt. 38, which turns into Main St in Emlenton. The trail is at the end of Main Street
Allegheny River & Samuel Justus Trail

Emlenton Access
The trail entrance is at the end of Main Street and next to the US Post office and there is small parking area at the end of the narrow access road.
Emlenton Access Portable Potty
There is a portable potty just inside the gate and on the day we visited it was clean. The next portable potty is at the Franklin access 27.5 miles away.
Gazebo
Gazebo at the beginning of the trail.
Oil Refinery Site
The beginning of the trail passes by the site that held the Emlenton Refinery. The refinery shut down in 2000 and the white fence is to assure that you don't wander off the trail.
Bench along the Allegheny River
Bench along the Allegheny river at 1.8 miles
Trail View
At 2.6 miles the trail runs alongside a gravel driveway.
Stream
At 2.9 miles the trail passes over a creek
Bridge Over Creek
River Access
Picnic Table Along Trail
Rockland Tunnel
The Rockland Tunnel is about 1/2 a mile long and there are no lights.
Rockland Tunnel
It was hot and humid on the day we rode this trail and the coolness of the tunnels felt like air conditioning.
Exiting Rockland Tunnel
It's a good idea to have rear bike lights, although they can get lost in the tunnel fog.
Looking Back Towards the Rockland Tunnel
Trail View
Kennerdell Tunnel
Aproaching the Kennerdell Tunnel is the longer of the two tunnels.
Kennerdell Tunnel
Throughout the tunnel are reflectors to guide you along the path. Off to the side of the trail is water.
Tunnel Reflector
River View
Dirt Trail
The trail turns to dirt as it bypasses private property. This area also has some hills and is about 1 mile in length.
Sandy Creek Trail
Sandy Creek Access
To access the Sandy Creek trail you must climb stairs and there is little headroom clearance under the bridge.
View From Above
Looking back down the stairs from the Sandy Creek Trail.
Sandy Creek Trail
View of the Sandy Creek Trail looking towards the Belmar Bridge over the river.
Looking South
Looking south on the Alleghany Trail. To the right can been seen the Belmar Bridge across the river.
Trail View
Ice Cream
Just south of Franklin is an access to Bibo's for ice cream and other treats.
Bibo's Menu
Bibo's menu can be read from the trail.
Bibo's
A view of Bibo's from the outside seating at the top of the access leading back down to the trail.
Justus Trail
The Alleghany Trail ends at Franklin in a large parking lot. From here you can continue north to Oil City on the Samuel Justus Trail.
Samuel Justus Trail
Trail View
The trail runs along a private road.
River Ridge Farm
Ruins dating to the oil boom of the late 1800's.
Oil Rig
Oil Rig
Oil rig along the trail.
Storage Tanks
Benches
Benches and picnic tables as you near Oil City.
View across the river
Trail End
The trail ends at the Oil City sewage treatment plant across the street from Venango College