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Tags:
Level: Intermediate
Length: 11 mi (17.7 km)
Surface: 4x4 Trail
Configuration: Loop
Elevation: +862/ -819 ft
Total: 14 riders
Mountain Biking Rocky Gap (easy Loop)
#95 of 293 mountain bike trails in Pennsylvania
This is actually an ATV trail, however bikes are permitted. I have been on this trail twice and the only ATV I saw was the trail maintenance crew. Most guys with motors ride the north (hard ) loop. The south loop is 10 miles, plus the trail head. A couple hard climbs but well worth every drop of sweat. It seems like you go downhill more than up, even with all the gradual elevation changes. Its not really rutted up like you would think a motor trail would be, but I was very happy for the banked turns on some of the blind downhills. An added bonus for this ride is the ability to change things up if you want and jump on the many oil lease roads that traverse the loop. (GPS highly recommended for that). Also crosses an old state route that will drop you down into Chapman State Park if you wish.
First added by Keith on Jun 7, 2006. Last updated Apr 30, 2020. → add an update
Before you go
- Drinking water: unknown
- Lift service: unknown
- Night riding: unknown
- Pump track: unknown
- Restrooms: unknown
- Fat bike grooming: unknown
- E-bikes allowed: unknown
- Fee required: unknown
This trail information is user-generated. Help improve this information by suggesting a correction.
Located in the Allegheny National forest. From Warren, take Route 337 south, through Pleasant Township. About 5 miles up the hill ( give or take), the trail will be on your left. Well marked recreation area, just watch for the signs.
I rode northern (hard) loop of the Rocky Gap trail system. It is supposedly the harder of the two but I haven't ridden the southern loop yet. When leaving the trailhead area, follow the trail sign for Grunder run. This trail definitely lives up to its name. The trail is very rocky, rooty, and wet, but what else would you expect from a western PA trail. There are a few sections of hardpack, loose gravel, as well as some short sandy sections. There are also at least a couple decent rock gardens to climb through. There are no real water crossings but there are at least a dozen drainage areas where there was free standing water. These were typically the areas of the best jumps where culvert pipes crossed the trail. The first 5 miles or so seem like it is mostly downhill while the last 5 or 6 miles is mostly uphill. FYI: bring bug spray during the summer!
| ThankI had to add to my review. The more I ride this trail, the more I love it. THe whole thing is double wide with every surface condition you can think of ( no water crossings). Best partis that you can drive in on the forestry road and park where the rock garden begins. Ride that and the switchback which comes out on the road farther down, peddle the road back up(5 to10 min) and rip it again. After riding many different trails this year, with much traveling to ride the most talked about regional locations, I have to upgrade the overall fun factor of this place. I have seen the woops on this eat two different bikes so don't come with some wal-mart ride.
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