Experience total darkness riding through two old Railroad tunnels on the Allegheny River Trail. Bring flashlights as both Tunnels are on a curve and it is so dark it is hard to see anything even with lights.
Oil City - From PA Route 8, cross the Allegheny River at the Petroleum Street Bridge (the first bridge if entering from the south, the third if entering from the north) and make a right turn at the second stop light onto West First Street. The trailhead entrance is 1.6 miles from this light, adjacent to the GPU Building, across from Venango Campus of Clarion University. Parking is 1/4 mile from the street on a tar-and-chipped surface. Look for the yellow gate at the trailhead. The portion of this trail from Oil City to Franklin is designated the Samuel Justus Recreational Trail. The trail is marked through Oil City and can be accessed from a number of Oil City parking lots on the trail.
Franklin - at the east end of the 8th Street Bridge over the Allegheny River on PA Route 322. There is easy bike access to downtown Franklin. There is a second lot 1 - 1/2 miles east on Route, 322, at the base of Victory Heights Hill.
Brandon - (a relatively remote access) From Franklin or Clarion, follow PA Route 322 to Cranberry. At the intersection with Route 257 at the Cranberry Mall, turn onto the Rockland Road (right if coming from Franklin) and drive to the Coal City Road (look for the sign). Follow this road to the river and park at the end of the road. The trail is paved in both directions.
Rockland Station - Follow the instruction to the Brandon trailhead above, but do not turn at the Coal City Road. Continue on the Rockland Road for about 3 miles to Pittsville. Turn right on the Rockland Station Road and follow it to the trail. Parking is at the location of the old Rockland Railroad Station near the north end of the Rockland Tunnel. A remote access point is at Dotter, which is upriver three miles off of Dotter Road.
Emlenton - At the northern end of Main Street, the trailhead is straight ahead through the parking area. Emlenton can be reached from exit 42 on Interstate 80. Come toward town, down the hill and cross the bridge into Emlenton. Turn left at the end of the bridge and continue to the trailhead.
Foxburg - The trail begins past the restaurant at the southern end of the parking lot.
Ride across the Belmar bridge over the Allegheny River on the Sandy Creek Trail. The Sandy Creek Trail crosses over the Allegheny River and the Allegheny River Trail on the Belmar Bridge.
The Belmar trailhead is at Belmar Village on the west side of the River. Access is from Route 8, 3 miles south of Franklin. Turn on Pone Lane and go past the Franklin High School to Belmar Road. Turn right and follow it to the parking area at the foot of the hill with the river and bridge in sight.
The east-end trailhead is in the village of Van on Route 322. Follow 322 to Van, turn west onto Tarklin Hill Road and go about 1/2 mile to the parking area.
Rockland Road - The trail may also be accessed from the Rockland Road. Follow Route 322 to the intersection of Route 257 in Cranberry (site of the Cranberry Mall), turn south and travel about 3 miles until you cross over the old railroad grade (just before you cross East Sandy Creek). There is an access road that turns to the right.
Fisherman's Cove - Reach the access at the far western end of the trail by traveling on old Route 8 (north from I-80 turn to old Route 8 just north of Barkeyville, or south by leaving new Route 8 just south of Franklin before new Route 8 becomes a divided highway) and turning off onto a dirt road at the end of the Pecan Bridge at the sign that leads to Seneca Hills Bible Camp. Turn right at the foot of the hill, and travel along the dirt road about 3 miles. At a sharp right turn, the trail is just ahead. Park along the road.
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