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Bypass Routes |
We've been working to complete the Montour Trail since 1989, and every year, we get a little closer. However, we've still got a few gaps in the southern portion of the trail. It is still possible to ride the entire trail by filling in the gaps with a little road riding.
In some places, the uncompleted portions of the trail may be ridden with a mountain bike and resolve. Be aware, though, some uncompleted segments contain hazardous bridges that are barricaded and should not be crossed. Some short uncompleted segments are impassable. Use of any uncompleted sections of the Montour Trail is at your own risk.
If you'd like to help us achieve our final goal of an unbroken trail, see Ways You Can Help.
A missing bridge at Venice is all that keeps the trail from being complete at that point. Until that can be arranged, a staircase and ramp structure has been constructed to get you down to road level from the west. From the east, there is a relatively steep descent right at the end of the trail. In between, you just need to cross Morganza Road, but be careful, as it is very busy.
The following directions are provided for those who prefer not to use the stairs, and for handicapped visitors:
Eastbound: Exit the trail at the access area near the 21.6 mile mark.(This access area is triangular shaped with a small red roofed pavilion near the center). If you have traveled to the "dead end" of this trail section near mile mark 21.9, you will have to back track to the access area to get off the trail. At the access area, get on the unmarked public road going to the left and travel about 200 yds, then turn left onto Route 50. Go 0.4 miles on route 50 downhill to the intersection of Routes 50/980 (near the former Mucks Lunch). Turn right onto route 980 (going uphill towards Canonsburg). Travel uphill about 150 yds to the trail entrance on the left side of the road.
Westbound: Exit the trail onto the nearby public road going downhill (this is route 980). Travel downhill about 150 yds to the intersection of Routes 980/50 (near Mucks Lunch). Turn left onto route 50 (going uphill, west, towards Hickory). Travel about 0.4 miles then turn at the first right onto a small unmarked road (this road may be marked with a sign pointing to Tilger Composting). Go about 200 yards along this road to the trail access area. The main portion of the trail resumes to the left (and slightly uphill) towards McDonald. A small section of the trail is also available to the right, but this trail section will "dead end" in 0.4 miles.
At Hendersonville, the issue is again a missing road crossing. Both ends of the trail are a bit short of the roadway, so you may not be able to see your route easily.
Eastbound: Enter trail parking area containing mile marker 27 then exit onto the paved public road. (If you arrive at top of grassy knoll overlooking Morganza Road ,and no bridge, turn around and go back to trail parking area). Proceed downhill on public road about 400 feet to stop sign. Carefully cross the very busy Morganza Road to paved road on opposite side. Go about 100 feet eastward then turn left onto paved ramp along side of large white building. Proceed up ramp to back of building into another trail parking area. From this parking area, pick an opening in the split rail fence, then re-enter the trail and proceed right (eastwards) toward the West Peters section.
Westbound: Exit the trail into trail parking area behind large white building on east side of Morganza Road. (If you arrive at jersey barriers overlooking Morganza Road ,and no bridge, turn around and go back to parking area behind white building). Proceed though parking area towards white building then down paved ramp onto public road (Georgetown Road/Oriole Drive). Go about 100 feet westward to stop sign. Carefully cross the very busy Morganza Road to paved road on opposite side. Proceed uphill about 400 feet, then turn right into another trail parking area. The trail continues westward out of this parking area.
Near the crossing with Route 19, a hundred yards or so of trail is missing, north of the sewage treatment plant. You just need to follow a short section of roadway here, but it is busy and the shoulder is narrow.
Eastbound: Shortly after historic Montour Railroad X-1 crane, the trail terminates at mile mark 30.3. At this point, travel 40 yards on downhill ramp into a small gravel lot. Valley Brook road runs along the south side of this lot near an old concrete bridge abutment wall. From the lot edge, go directly across both lanes of Valley Brook road to the shoulder on the opposite side. Travel along the road shoulder for about 250 yds (and slightly uphill) to the paved Montour Trail Access area (near Peters Water Treatment plant). Turn right into the access area then continue uphill
Westbound: Follow Montour Trail underneath Route 19 and into the paved Access Area near Peters Water Treatment plant (~30.4 mile mark). Continue downhill through access area lot to Valley Brook road and stop. From the lot edge, carefully cross both lanes of Valley Brook road to the shoulder on the opposite side. Travel along the road shoulder for about 250 yds (and slightly downhill), then turn right into a gravel lot (near old concrete bridge abutment wall). An offical Montour Trail sign (30.3 mile mark) will be visible in back of lot. Near this sign, travel 40 yards on uphill ramp onto the Montour Trail westbound.
This uncompleted section requires that you ride on roads for about a mile and a half.
Eastbound: From the arrowhead trail shortly after the Horse Farm, turn right onto the Montour Trail Mainline (with a crushed limestone surface) at the kiosk and "Welcome to the Montour Trail" sign. Travel on the Montour Trail eastward for about 1.3 miles and look for a trail gate (two white posts with a yellow crossbar about 12 feet wide) on the right side of the trail. To enter the bypass, exit the Montour trail at the gate and turn left onto the paved road near the adjacent apartment complex. (Note that the Montour Trail continues past this gate, and continues on downhill for another 0.3 mi to a dead end. If you arrive at the dead end, you must backtrack 0.3 mi uphill to the gate to get onto the bypass route) Travel on the apartment complex road about 0.2 mi to a small wooden stop sign. At the stop sign, turn left and go down a steep hill about 200 yards to the main public road (Rt.88, Library Road). Turn right and ride along Rt. 88 to the traffic light (0.3 mile). Turn left at the light onto Brownsville & Library Road. Follow Brownsville & Library Road about 0.9 mi to the Sunset Golf Course entrance. Directly across from the Golf Course entrance, turn left onto Stewart Road. Ride down hill 100 yds; cross the small bridge then immediately turn right into the Montour Trail parking/access area. On the uphill side of the parking area, go past the gate onto the narrow path, continue on the path for about 300 yards and (across bridge) to the improved (surfaced) trail.
Westbound: At end of surfaced Trail, continue straight ahead across bridge and onto unsurfaced path about 300 yards that finishes downhill into the Stewart Road parking area. At the lower end of the parking area, turn left onto public road (Steward Rd.), go uphill 100 yards then turn right onto Brownsville Road. Follow Brownsville Rd. 0.9 mile to traffic light at PA Rt. 88. Turn right on Rt. 88 and continue for 0.3 mile. Just before a railroad overpass, carefully turn left into the Lindenbrooke Apartment complex. Climb up the very steep hill for about 200 yds, and then take the first road off to the right. Proceed about 0.2 miles until you see a gate (two white posts with a yellow crossbar about 12 feet wide) on your right directly across from a small paved parking lot. Pass around the gate and turn left (uphill) onto the Montour Trail.
A 1.6-mile bypass.
Eastbound: At trailhead, proceed up ramp and turn left at Triphammer Road. After 0.2 mile, Triphammer ends at a 'T'. Turn right onto Piney Fork Road (no sign posted). Follow Piney Fork Road up a steep hill 0.2 mi to the 4-way stop sign. Turn right onto Ridge Road, which is really still Piney Fork. Proceed downhill for 1.0 miles to the tunnel. Be careful entering the tunnel, as there is a blind turn on the far end, and the road is only one lane wide (cars aren't looking for bikers). Proceed 0.2 mile past the tunnel to the intersection with Snowden Road. Cross the intersection and you will see the trail right of way on the right side of the road (Piney Fork Rd).
Westbound; Cross the intersection of Snowden and Piney Fork and proceed straight ahead on Piney Fork. Go 0.2 mi to the tunnel. Be careful entering the tunnel as there is a blind turn on the near end, and the road is only one lane wide (cars aren't looking for bikers). Proceed 1.0 mi past the tunnel to the 4-way stop sign at the top of the steep hill (ride or walk bikes facing traffic-blind curve). Turn left at stop sign and go 0.2 mile downhill (sharp bend near bottom). Turn left onto on Triphammer Road. Proceed uphill 0.2 mile, turn right and go down ramp to parking area and trail.
The longest gap, at 3.4 miles.
Eastbound: Cross Gill Hall and continue on Peter's Creek Road for 2.5 miles to Cherry Street. Cherry becomes First St. Follow street 0.1 mile, turn right onto Oak Rd. (marked as Maple), continue 0.5 mile on Oak (past the Large Hotel on the curve) to PA Rt. 51. Cross Rt. 51 at the light and walk your bike across the grassy strip on the east side of the road in front of the funeral home. (Rt. 51 is a 4 lane road with heavy traffic and no shoulders. Stay on the grassy strip on the east (left)! side of the road.) Go past the brick buildings and the sign marked Jefferson Technology Center and turn left onto Peters Creek Rd (before Piney Fork Creek). Follow this road past the Park and Ride lot (under Route 43). The trail starts at the extreme back end of the lot near the "No Outlet" sign next to the creek.
Westbound: The trail terminates into the Park N Ride lot under Route 43. Proceed on Peters Creek Rd through the lot 0.3 mi then turn right into parking lot for Jefferson Technology Center adjacent to Rt. 51 (Rt. 51 is a 4 lane road with heavy traffic and no shoulders-not safe for biking.) At the end of the parking lot stay on the grassy strip on the east (right) side of the road. Cross Rt. 51 at the traffic light for Old Clairton Rd. and once across, immediately turn left onto Oak Rd. Go past the Large Hotel on your right and follow Oak for a total of 0.5 miles. Turn left on First Street and go 0.1 mile; then turn left again after a 90 degree bend in the road. Follow public paved road (Peters Creek Rd.) for 2.5 miles to Gill Hall Road (Montour Trail signs posted along the road). The trail continues straight ahead on its own right of way on the left side of Piney Fork Rd.