2024 Visit Johnstown Visitors Guidev12 spreads for Web - Flipbook - Page 14
THE GHOST TOWN TRAIL
14 visitjohnstownpa.com
Ghost Town Trail
THE GHOST TOWN TRAIL
PENNSYLVANIA’S 2020 TRAIL OF
THE YEAR! A National Recreation
Trail. Also named one of the Best
Hiking Trails in the U.S. by the
editors of American Towns Media.
Natural beauty, fascinating historical
features, and length: The Ghost Town
Trail is a 51-mile long ‘rails to trails’
trail that blends these qualities and
throws in a bit of challenge for flavor.
Named for the long-gone coal-mining
communities that once dotted its rightof-way, the GTT flows past two massive
iron furnaces, old coal-loading tipples,
and other traces of industrial history.
The Blacklick Creek valley in which it
is situated is gorgeous, with mountain
streams, stands of rhododendron,
dozens of wildflower species, and cool
woodlands. The packed limestone
paving provides an ideal surface for
non-motorized activities.
The trail includes the 32-mile main stem
portion from Blacklick, PA to Ebensburg,
PA; the 17-mile C and I Extension that
includes the 4-mile Rexis Branch from
Vintondale to White Mill; the 8-mile
Stritty’s Way from the Rexis Branch
near the Rt. 422 underpass to North St.
in Cardiff; the 5-mile extension from
Ebensburg to Springfield Road in Nanty
Glo. A 2-mile mixed surface connection
from the C & I to Duman Lake County
Park gives trail visitors access to
amenities such as picnicking, fishing,
camping, and much more. Bicycle
rentals and cross-country ski rentals are
available at the Ebensburg trailhead at
the Young Peoples Community Center
to accommodate trail use year-round.
Cambria County Conservation & Recreation Authority,
www.cambriaconservationrecreation.com
