The Montour Trail Bypass Routes
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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.

Venice (Trail Miles 21.6 to 22.0)

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.

West Peters - Valley Brook Road (Trail Miles 30.3 to 30.4)

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.

Route 88 to Stewart Road (Trail Miles 35.1 to 36.8)

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.

Piney Fork Road to Snowden Road (Trail Miles 39.1 to 39.9)

A 0.8-mile bypass.

Eastbound: At the west Triphammer trailhead (MP38.1) proceed up ramp and turn left onto Triphammer Road. Proceed on Triphammer Road 280 feet and turn right onto the east Triphammer Ramp. The trail continues 0.75 mile to an asphalt paved ramp with a sharp left turn and comes to a junction with Piney Fork Road at approximately 0.80 mile (MP39.0). A map sign with a box of maps is available for navigating the road detour. Turn right onto Piney Fork Road and proceed 0.79 mile (Be careful entering the tunnel approximately 0.5 mile after turning onto Piney Fork Road. The tunnel is narrow and has a blind curve at the east end.) 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 Road).

Westbound: Westbound: Cross the intersection of Snowden and Piney Fork Roads and proceed straight ahead on Piney Fork Road. Go 0.2 mile to the tunnel. Be careful entering the tunnel as there is a blind turn on the near end, the road is only one lane wide, and cars aren’t looking for bikers. Proceed approximately 0.59 mile past the tunnel on Piney Fork Road just past the road bridge over Piney Fork Creek and turn left onto the Montour Trail ramp at MP39.0. Follow the trail 0.80 mile to the top of the west Triphammer Ramp and turn left (south) onto Triphammer Road. Take Triphammer road 280 feet to the trail entrance on the right at MP38.2. Take the east Triphammer Ramp to the trailhead, proceed across the bridge over Piney Fork Creek and continue on the trail.

Gill Hall Road to Large

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.

Last update: May 3, 2013 MI/DO/pae