WESTMORELAND HERITAGE TRAIL:
SALTSBURG-SLICKVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Last Updated: February 21, 2024
Length: Westmoreland Heritage Trail; 8.6 miles
Difficulty: Easy. Flat stone-dust rail trail.
Directions:
To Start from the Saltsburg Playground in Saltsburg [Northern End]; From the junction of Routes 22 & 981 in New Alexandria travel north on Route 981 to the junction of Route 286. Turn right across the Conemaugh River along Washington St (Route 286) into Saltsburg. Turn right along Salt St which merges onto Canal St. When you come to Water St turn right into the parking area.
The Westmoreland Heritage Trail follows the rail bed of the former Penn Central RR, which fell into disuse in 1972. The rail line was originally opened in 1852 by a subsidiary of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, led by George Westinghouse, Jr. to connect Saltsburg and Export. Currently the trail travels Southwest from Saltsburg through Slickville. A gap exists between the next section in Export that travels Southwest to Trafford. In Saltsburg this trail converges with the West Penn Trail at the Saltsburg Playground. For more information visit; WESTMORELAND HERITAGE TRAIL & WESTMORELAND HERITAGE TRAIL .
Starting from the Saltsburg Playground in Saltsburg [Northern End]; Both the West Penn Trail & Westmoreland Heritage Trail begin next to the playgrounds entrance. The 0 Mile Marker begins here and is posted every 0.25 miles along the trail. Heading Southwest along the stone-dust Westmoreland Heritage Trail passing by some old RR tracks and an informational sign.
Note; The West Penn Trail crosses here traveling both North and East.
You immediately cross over the Conemaugh River along an old RR bridge. Next a tunnel takes you underneath Route 981 followed by another old RR bridge over Loyalhanna Creek at 0.3 miles. Trail then heads into the woods. I only checked out a short section of this trail. The trail continues Southwest, following Getty Run. Come to Country Rd at 2.5 miles. Short on-road detour. Head left along Country Rd and immediately turn left on Bartz Rd. Keep right past the Bartz Road parking lot where you'll rejoin the trail back through the woods heading West. Trail parallels Getty Run. Cross Sportsman Dr at 4.1 miles. Cross Route 819 at 4.9 miles in Slickville. The trail continues West back through the woods. Cross Story Rd at 6.1 miles as the trail turns South before crossing a causeway across Beaver Run. Trail parallels Beaver Run, crossing Athena Dr at 7.5 miles. Finally the trail turns West, bringing you to the Athena Drive parking lot and end of the trail after 8.6 miles.
Note; A gap exists, as of 2023, between the next 9+ mile section that travels West from Export to Murrysville, then Southwest to Trafford. I haven't checked out this section.
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CLICK HERE FOR WESTMORELAND HERITAGE TRAIL MAP
CLICK HERE FOR WESTMORELAND HERITAGE TRAIL MAP
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WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT