Ghost Town Trail
The crisp, cool weather of fall in Pennsylvania has already set in. It’s a great time to go for a long walk or bike ride – a final glimpse of the autumn colors and a final chance to enjoy the outdoors without needing to think about snow boots and gloves. And what could be more appropriate for the dwindling autumn season than the Ghost Town Trail?
With 36 miles of gravel trail, and many access points throughout the area, the trail is well-equipped for a casual afternoon bike ride or an all-day hike. The trail is one of many rail trails in our region, having been converted from the railways once connecting company towns, furnaces, and mines that have since been abandoned. Though little remains of these towns today, a walk down the trail is still a walk through western Pennsylvania’s industrial past.
Stand-out locations along the trail include Wehrum, the ghost town for which the trail was named (though there are a few other former town locations along the way). Though not much remains at this time, a marker has been placed to tell the story of the town, which was developed by Warren Delano, uncle of President Franklin Roosevelt. Another prime site is the Eliza Furnace near Vintondale, one of Pennsylvania’s most well preserved iron furnaces.
Access points nearest Johnstown are Vintondale and Nanty Glo in Cambria County and Wehrum and Dilltown in Indiana County. Parking is available at all access areas. Visit the Indiana County Parks & Trails Web site for maps and more information.
View additional images of the Ghost Town Trail in the “Nature and Outdoors” photo set on the Do Johnstown! Flickr photostream.
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This entry was posted on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 4:53 pm and is filed under Nature & Outdoors. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
