HCH&H

Places To Hike or Bike Ride

Lower Trail

The Lower Trail is a 16.5-mile rail trail that follows the Juniata River

Trail flows for almost 17 miles along the banks of the Frankstown Branch of the Juniata River. In the early 1800s, this was part of the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal. Later in the century, it became part of the Pennsylvania Railroad system. Today, it is a nearly level rail-trail with fascinating historical features such as canal remnants, an iron plantation and a covered bridge.

Location: From east to west, the Lower Trail begins in Alfarata and goes through four other "stations" (trailheads) before ending in Flowing Spring.

Address: PO Box 592 Hollidaysburg PA
GPS:40.484016, -78.010688
Phone: (814) 317-9728

Website: rttcpa.org

Barree Forge & Furnace

Barree Forge and Furnace, now known as Greene Hills Methodist Camp, is a national historic district located in northern Huntingdon County along the Little Juniata River in Porter Township in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. It consists of two contributing buildings, one contributing site, and one contributing structure associated with a former ironworks.

The furnace stack dates to 1864 and is a 30-foot square, freestanding, coursed limestone furnace stack which show serious deterioration of its southwest and southeast walls, now standing only 6-15 feet in height. The semi-circular casting and tuyere arches, on the northeast and northwest faces respectively, are intact.

Address: Greene Hills 5125 Manor Dr, Alexandria, Pennsylvania 16611

Website: FacebookPage

Monroe Furnace

The remains of Monroe Furnace sit just off of state route 26, in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania,

Monroe Furnace was established in 1846-47 by General James Irvin, a prominent Centre County iron-master, who was associated with ten iron works in that county, and two in Huntingdon County. Despite his long experience and notable success in the iron business, he was unable to withstand the economic depression of the mid-1850s, and was forced to retire from the iron business in 1857. In 1850, Irvin employed 50 men at Monroe Furnace, producing 958 tons of pig iron valued at $21,000; but by 1851, the assessed value of the enterprise had been reduced from $11,000 to $3,000. By 1855, Monroe was sold to George W. Johnston & Co. of Boalsburg. Johnston established a foundry to produce cast iron stoves, said to be of superior quality. Under his name the operation continued until 1864, when it was acquired by the Freedom Iron Co., owners of Greenwood Furnace. The foundry operated until 1864.

Location: Jct. PA 26 and Legislative Rt. 31076 6 mi. NW of McAlevy's Fort, PA United States

GPS Location: N 40° 41.757 W 077° 53.617

Greenwood Furnace | State Park

Greenwood Furnace State Park covers 423 acres, including a six-acre lake, campground, hiking trails, and a historic district.

Greenwood Furnace State Park is the site of a 19th century charcoal iron furnace and village. In 1906, the state established a tree nursery on the site to regrow the denuded forests, and in 1924, the park was established. Today, the heritage of Greenwood Furnace is interpreted through displays of artifacts and educational programs.

Our Hours of Operation: Daily 8 am to sunset

Address: 15795 Greenwood Road, Huntingdon, PA 16652
GPS Coordinates: Latitude 40.65047 Longitude -77.75439
Phone: (814) 667-1800
Email: greenwoodfurnacesp@pa.gov

Website: visitPAparks.com

 

A Thousand Steps

A Thousand Steps William Penn Hwy. (Rt. 22) West

The Thousand Step's amidst the rugged grandeur of Jack's Narrows. There are actually 1,043 steps in the Thousand Steps Trail. The mining history in this area is very rich as sand was the most popular resource mined from Jacks Mountain. The Thousand Steps were constructed about 1936 by Harbison-Walker employees. The sand mined from the mountain was used for silica bricks which were heat resistant and at one point, Jacks Mountain was known as "The Silica Brick Capital of the World." A challenging hike today, the steps were a commute to a long and difficult workday in Ledge Quarry.

Today managed by the Standing Stone Trail Club, it includes threatened species, unusual fossils, a diversity of plant and wildlife, and about 84 miles of the Mid State Tuscarora Link Hiking Trail. Please respect the fragility of the natural and cultural features and enjoy your visit.

Address: A Thousand Steps - 40.41680°N / 77.8994°W

 

Jack's Narrows

Jack's Narrows William Penn Hwy (Rt. 22) East

Jack's Narrows where the Juniata River cuts a gap in Jack's Mountain, is the deepest gorge in Pennsylvania. The narrows is deep in history and folklore and is easily accessible. Backpackers , cyclists , motorists and hunters can explore Jack's Narrows using the Standing Stone trail and State Game Lands 71 and 112. Anglers can also enjoy Jack Narrows from the Juniata River. An exciting adventure for all outdoor enthusiasts. The peaks of Jacks Mountain on the south side of the gorge is just over 2,120 feet in elevation, and 2.9 miles away on the north of the gorge is just over 2,320 feet. The river surface of the Juniata River drops from 566 feet above sea level at Mapleton to 545 Feet above sea level 3.3 miles downstream at Mount Union. That makes the gorge nearly 1/3 mile deep! The launches open up Jack's Narrows to access for paddle sports, fishing and leisurely inner-tube floating. The facilities and distance between them make this the first and best recommendation for inner-tube floating in Huntingdon County. This stretch of the Juniata River is gentle and easily navigated by paddlers of all experience levels.

Jack's Narrows Boat Launch Locations: 13412 Oriskany Rd, Mapleton, PA

999 North Division Street, Mount Union PA

 

Paradise Furnace

Once known as Mary Anne Furnace and Trough Creek

Trough Creek Furnace stack dates back to the 1830, and is a 28-square-foot coursed rubble stone structure. In 1832 it was renamed Mary Anne Furnace and operated under that name until 1843 when the name was changed to Paradise Furnace. The furnace was  first used to produce pig iron into bar iron. During 1843 good iron was produced using coke as fuel at the furnace, which only lasted for one month due to the lack of and high cost of coke. The furnace continued  smelting iron with charcoal until 1852. In the 1860s it operated during the Civil War due to the demand for iron, but because of the economic downturn after the war it closed permanently in 1867.
The furnace and the park is open every day of the year, sunrise to sunset. Day use areas close at dusk. The furnace location is available at the park office.
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Daily.

16362 Little Valley Road James Creek, PA 16657-9302
GPS DD: Lat. 40.31192 Long. -78.12984
Phone: (814) 658-3847
Email: troughcreeksp@pa.gov
Website: TroughCreekStatePark/Pages/History

 

Trough Creek State Park

See Rainbow Bridge and Balanced Rock And The Old Ice Mine

The 541-acre Trough Creek State Park is a scenic gorge formed as Great Trough Creek cuts through Terrace Mountain before emptying into Raystown Lake. Rugged hiking trails lead to wonders like Balanced Rock and Rainbow Falls.

The park is open every day of the year, sunrise to sunset. Day use areas close at dusk.
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Daily.

16362 Little Valley Road James Creek, PA 16657-9302
GPS DD: Lat. 40.31192 Long. -78.12984
Phone: (814) 658-3847
Email: troughcreeksp@pa.gov
Website: TroughCreekStatePark

 

Captain Phillips Rangers Memorial

In 1926 an impressive monument, still standing today, was constructed

The Captain Phillips Rangers Memorial was donated by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission in cooperation with Liberty Township Supervisors. It is the site of a mass grave of 10 militiamen, part of Captain William Phillips Rangers killed by Native Americans on July 16, 1780.

Location: The GPS coordinates of the monument site are N40.260048, W78.266474

Hours: Open daily sunrise to sunset.

For more information: Captain Phillips Monument

 

Historic Blair Park

Blair Park is a great mountain biking, hiking, and picnic area

Blair Park is a gift that has lasted generations. Blair Park continues to provide peaceful tranquility along the banks of Standing Stone Creek. Enjoy our gardens, several miles of double-track trail, and our historic structures hidden away just inside the woods.
Open All Year

105 East Penn Street Huntingdon, PA 16652.
Email: blairparkhuntingdon@gmail.com
or find us on Facebook BlairParkHuntingdon

 

Pennsylvania Railroad Bridge

Old Bridge Over Standing Stone Creek

The Pennsylvania Railroad Old Bridge over Standing Stone Creek, also known as Conrail Old Bridge over Standing Stone Creek, is a historic multi-span stone arch bridge spanning Standing Stone Creek and located at Huntingdon, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. It was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad between 1848 and 1850. It was in use until 1892, when the main line was relocated onto the former Pennsylvania Canal bed. A second stone arch bridge was constructed nearby for the new alignment and is still in use today. It is located across the street from Blair Park.

GPS: 40° 28′ 51″ N, 78° 0′ 16″ W

 

Allen Seager Natural Area

Hiking, Biking, Family Picnic

 

Warriors Path State Park

Hiking and Exploration

The 349-acre Warriors Path State Park lies very near the famous path used by the Iroquois in raids and wars with the Cherokees and other American Indians in southern Pennsylvania. Various tracts of land for the park were donated beginning in 1959. The park was dedicated in the summer of 1965.A freshwater swamp and weathered shale cliffs are examples of the unique natural wonders that exist in this 349 acre park.

Location: 1152 Warriors Path Rd.
Saxton, PA 16678

Website: Warrior State Park

 

Allegrippis Trails at Raystown Lake

36 Miles of Single Track Trails

Designed by mountain bikers and built by the International Mountain Bicycling Association, the Allegrippis Trails at Raystown Lake is a premier single-track mountain biking trail system located in the Eastern United States.

You can access the Allegrippis Trails at trailheads along Seven Points Road just past the Seven Points Entrance Station and on Bakers Hollow Road just before the Susquehannock Campground Entrance Station.

Website: Allegrippis Trail

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Check Back For Updates

We are working on getting activities listed here for COVID social distancing. Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania offers so many choices when it comes to outdoor activities and great places to visit outdoors. All of the locations listed above are available to the public as free activities to do.