PA Hiking/Biking Trails

Riding the Redbank Valley Rail Trail in Western PA

Collage of four scenes along the Redbank Valley Rail Trail in western Pennsylvania, showing a cyclist inside the Long Point Tunnel, a bike parked beside Redbank Creek with a scenic river view, a bike on the Terry Mateer Bridge surrounded by trees, and a rider at the entrance of the Climax Tunnel.

The Redbank Valley Rail Trail is one of western Pennsylvania’s premier long-distance rail trails, stretching 51 miles through Armstrong, Clarion, and Jefferson counties.

Orange bicycle parked in front of the Geraldine L. and Richard F. Vidunas Memorial Bridge, a covered wooden bridge surrounded by lush green forest along the Redbank Valley Rail Trail.

Winding along the scenic Redbank Creek, the trail offers a mix of natural beauty, industrial ruins, historic tunnels, and small-town charm.

Cyclist with headlights emerging from the stone-arched southwestern entrance of the Climax Tunnel along the Redbank Valley Rail Trail, surrounded by autumn leaves and rocky hillsides.

Recently I had a chance to ride the southwestern half of the trail, from mile marker 21 in New Bethlehem to mile marker 0 where the Redbank Valley Rail Trail meets the Armstrong Trail.

Interpretive sign titled “Welcome to New Bethlehem and the Redbank Valley,” featuring historical information, photos, and a map highlighting sites of interest in the town and surrounding trail.

You’ll find excellent free maps, mileage charts, and trailhead directions for the Redbank Valley Rail Trail on its official website.

A map of the Redbank Valley Rail Trail in western Pennsylvania.

Since those resources are already available, I’ll concentrate here on sharing some of the points of interest I encountered along the way.

Cyclist with an orange bike standing on a leaf-strewn section of the Redbank Valley Rail Trail in late September, surrounded by green trees beginning to show early autumn colors.

What You’ll See Along the Redbank Valley Rail Trail

One of the most fascinating historic sites along this stretch of trail is the row of coke oven ruins, now partially reclaimed by nature.

Row of 19th-century brick coke oven ruins partially buried and overgrown with ferns and forest vegetation along the Redbank Valley Rail Trail.

These brick-lined structures once fueled the region’s iron and steel industry and are a reminder of the trail’s industrial past.

Interpretive sign along the Redbank Valley Rail Trail titled “Coke Ovens or Bear Caves?” explaining the history of 19th-century coke ovens, the process of making coke, and local wildlife such as copperhead snakes.

The Terry Mateer Bridge is another highlight, a beautiful modern span that sits atop a stone arch from the old rail corridor.

Orange bicycle parked on the Terry Mateer Bridge, a wooden-decked steel truss bridge crossing Long Run along the Redbank Valley Rail Trail, surrounded by dense green forest.

It’s a perfect place to stop and admire how the trail blends history and modern engineering.

Stone arch foundation of the Terry Mateer Bridge along the Redbank Valley Rail Trail, with the modern steel and wood trail bridge crossing above a rocky streambed and surrounded by dense forest.

The Climax Tunnel, built in 1872, stretches an impressive 517 feet through solid rock.

Cyclist with an orange bike stopping at the northeastern entrance of the Climax Tunnel along the Redbank Valley Rail Trail, surrounded by rocky cliffs and forest.

With its brick and stone entrance and natural rock interior, riding through the Climax Tunnel is both thrilling and awe-inspiring.

Cyclist standing with an orange bike inside the arched, stone-lined Climax Tunnel along the Redbank Valley Rail Trail, illuminated by overhead lights.

The Long Point Tunnel is even longer at 640 feet and features curved rock walls and masonry portals.

Orange bicycle parked in front of the stone-arched entrance to Long Point Tunnel along the Redbank Valley Rail Trail, surrounded by rocky hillsides and dense greenery.

A good headlamp is essential here, as the tunnel’s interior remains dark and rugged.

Cyclist with an orange bike inside the rough-hewn stone walls of Long Point Tunnel along the Redbank Valley Rail Trail, illuminated by bike lights.

The views of Redbank Creek along the trail are equally memorable, with several stretches where the water reflects the hillsides and trees above it.

Orange bicycle parked on the shaded gravel path of the Redbank Valley Rail Trail overlooking a scenic bend of Redbank Creek, surrounded by lush green hills and trees.

In autumn, these views become especially vibrant as the foliage bursts into color.

Orange bicycle parked on the gravel path of the Redbank Valley Rail Trail overlooking Redbank Creek, with calm waters reflecting the surrounding forested hills on a sunny day.

Adding a whimsical touch to the ride are the sculptures placed along the trail, including a colorful bear statue and large steel dog cutouts.

Colorful bear statue dressed in a painted woodland scene standing beside an orange bicycle along the shaded Redbank Valley Rail Trail in western Pennsylvania.

These artworks give riders a fun surprise and a reason to pause for photos.

Orange bicycle parked in front of a large rust-colored metal dog sculpture set in a grassy clearing along the Redbank Valley Rail Trail, with forested hills in the background.

Beyond the tunnels and sculptures, the trail also passes over and alongside numerous smaller bridges that provide sweeping views of the creek below.

View of Redbank Creek near South Bethlehem along the Redbank Valley Rail Trail, with calm reflective water bordered by rocky shallows, dense forest, and rolling green hills under a clear blue sky.

Other spots along the trail open up to serene wooded corridors, offering quiet moments beneath tall trees and rocky outcrops.

Orange bicycle resting on a leaf-covered gravel path of the Redbank Valley Rail Trail in September, surrounded by tall green trees and a rocky hillside.

Together, these varied highlights make each mile of the Redbank Valley Rail Trail an adventure of its own.

Orange bicycle parked beside a rustic wooden picnic shelter with benches and a table, surrounded by autumn leaves and trees along the Redbank Valley Rail Trail.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re riding a short section or tackling the entire 51 miles, the Redbank Valley Rail Trail is filled with history, scenery, and surprises.

Orange bicycle parked on a grassy area in New Bethlehem along the Redbank Valley Rail Trail, with several large rust-colored metal dog sculptures standing near brick and green-roofed buildings in the background.

It’s a western Pennsylvania gem that I’d recommend to any cyclist or outdoor enthusiast!

Orange bicycle parked beside mile marker 8 along the Redbank Valley Rail Trail, surrounded by a leafy forest and a gravel path covered with autumn leaves.

The Armstrong Trail is a 52.5-mile rail trail follows the eastern bank of the Allegheny River and the northern bank of the Kiskiminetas River in western PA.

Collage of four photos along the Armstrong Trail in western Pennsylvania featuring a yellow bike by the Allegheny River, a cyclist riding through Brady Tunnel, a cyclist approaching the historic Redbank Coaling Tower, and a green Armstrong Trail sign at a trailhead.

14 PA Rail Trails Anyone Can Enjoy is a guide to some of my favorite rail trails from all across the Keystone State.

10 of the best rail trails in Pennsylvania.

Discover more than 1000 exceptional destinations worth exploring all across Pennsylvania with the interactive PA Bucket List Travel Map!

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