PA Hiking/Biking Trails

Riding the Hoodlebug Trail in Indiana County

Collage of four photos taken along the Hoodlebug Trail in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. The top left image shows a bright yellow bicycle on a bridge over Two Lick Creek surrounded by autumn trees. The top right image features the same bicycle on a leaf-strewn trail bordered by rocky cliffs and forest. The bottom left image shows a cyclist pausing beside calm green water, framed by trees along the creek. The bottom right image depicts the bicycle parked near a sign for the Hoodlebug Trail Yankeetown Access Area, with a red-roofed Sheetz gas station in the background. The 10-mile Hoodlebug Trail follows the former Pennsylvania Railroad’s Indiana Branch, once traveled by the self-propelled “Hoodlebug” passenger coach.

The Hoodlebug Trail in Indiana County offers cyclists and walkers a scenic, history-filled journey along a 10-mile path that once carried the self-propelled “Hoodlebug” passenger coach.

A bright yellow bicycle is parked on a wooden bridge crossing Two Lick Creek along the Hoodlebug Trail in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. Autumn leaves are scattered across the paved surface, and a wooden sign marks the creek’s name. The bridge is surrounded by colorful fall foliage under a partly cloudy sky, creating a peaceful, scenic moment along the 10-mile rail trail that follows the former Pennsylvania Railroad’s Indiana Branch, once traveled by the self-propelled “Hoodlebug” passenger coach.

Stretching from Black Lick to Indiana, the trail passes through wooded corridors, historic towns, and remnants of the region’s industrial past.

A cyclist wearing a red shirt and black shorts pauses with a bright yellow bicycle on the paved Hoodlebug Trail in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. The trail stretches ahead beneath a canopy of tall green trees, with early autumn leaves scattered along the path. Sunlight filters through the branches, creating a peaceful woodland scene along the 10-mile rail trail that follows the former Pennsylvania Railroad’s Indiana Branch, once used by the self-propelled “Hoodlebug” passenger coach.

The trail gets its name from the “Hoodlebug,” a self-propelled, gasoline-electric passenger coach that ran on this line until 1940, following the route of the old Indiana Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad.

Granite memorial bench along the Hoodlebug Trail in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, engraved with the history of the “Hoodlebug,” a gasoline-electric railcoach that once ran on the Pennsylvania Railroad line from Blairsville through Homer City to Indiana. The inscription explains that the coach transported passengers, freight, and mail, earning its nickname from the “hoot” of its whistle before its final run in 1940. Small etched images of the railcar and the Homer City station decorate each end of the bench, which sits on a grassy area beside the 10-mile trail that now follows the former railroad route.

Recently I had the chance to ride the entire Hoodlebug Trail, starting at Saylor Park in Black Lick, heading north to Indiana, and then retracing my route back to Saylor Park for a round trip of just over 20 miles.

A bright yellow bicycle is parked beside a metal guardrail near a blue road sign reading “Hoodlebug Trail to Indiana” at Saylor Park in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. Fallen leaves scatter across the gravel shoulder, and trees with early autumn foliage frame the open grassy area in the background. This location marks the southern terminus of the 10-mile Hoodlebug Trail, which follows the former Pennsylvania Railroad’s Indiana Branch once traveled by the self-propelled “Hoodlebug” passenger coach.

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

A map of the Hoodlebug Trail in INdiana County showing all the official trailheads and parking areas along the trail.

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

A cyclist wearing a red shirt and black shorts stands beside a bright yellow bicycle on the banks of Black Lick Creek along the Hoodlebug Trail in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. The calm, greenish water reflects the surrounding trees, which display a mix of summer and early autumn foliage. Fallen leaves and branches line the dirt path near the water’s edge, creating a peaceful scene. This tranquil stretch of the 10-mile rail trail follows the former Pennsylvania Railroad’s Indiana Branch, once used by the self-propelled “Hoodlebug” passenger coach.

What You’ll See Along the Hoodlebug Trail

Riding north from Saylor Park, you’ll initially be riding behind a noise barrier parallel to Route 119, but only for a short time.

A bright yellow bicycle rests on the paved Hoodlebug Trail beside a tall tan noise barrier wall near Route 119 in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. The trail stretches straight into the distance, bordered by green grass and trees on one side and the textured wall on the other. Fallen leaves dot the smooth asphalt path under an overcast sky. This section of the 10-mile rail trail follows the former Pennsylvania Railroad’s Indiana Branch, once used by the self-propelled “Hoodlebug” passenger coach.

A bit farther along, the path strays away from the highway and parallels Two Lick Creek, a peaceful stretch where reflections of trees shimmer on the water’s surface.

A bright yellow bicycle with a black basket rests on a paved section of the Hoodlebug Trail in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, beside a wooden fence overlooking a gently flowing creek lined with early autumn foliage. Fallen leaves scatter across the trail, and a bridge is visible in the background among the trees. The peaceful scene captures the natural beauty along the 10-mile rail trail that follows the former route of the Pennsylvania Railroad’s Indiana Branch, once traveled by the self-propelled “Hoodlebug” passenger coach.

Near Homer City, interpretive signs recount the story of Cliffside Park, a once-bustling recreation area that hosted dances, swimming, and roller skating in the early 1900s.

Informational sign along the Hoodlebug Trail in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, describing the history of Cliffside Park, a former recreation area developed in 1919 by Antonio Bianco along Two Lick Creek. The sign includes vintage black-and-white photos of the park’s boating and bathing facilities, an image of musician Cab Calloway who once performed there, and text recounting how the site featured a roller-skating rink, Ferris wheel, dance pavilion, and other attractions before closing in 1937. The green sign stands amid a wooded setting along the 10-mile rail trail that follows the former Pennsylvania Railroad’s Indiana Branch, named for the “Hoodlebug” passenger coach that once ran on the line.

Just beyond lies Yankeetown, a historic neighborhood whose name dates back to the post–Civil War era and the early settlers who built homes and businesses there.

Informational sign along the Hoodlebug Trail in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, detailing the history and possible origins of the name “Yankeetown.” The green sign includes vintage photos of local buildings, residents, and businesses, along with text explaining how the area north of Homer City may have been named for Civil War veterans, northern settlers, or local businessman Charles Woodman Tuck. It also notes that Yankeetown later became known for its Italian-American community and family-owned shops. The sign stands near the 10-mile Hoodlebug Trail, which follows the former Pennsylvania Railroad’s Indiana Branch once traveled by the self-propelled “Hoodlebug” passenger coach.

The bright red railcar museum of the Homer-Center Historical Society adds a splash of color and a tangible reminder of the area’s railroading roots.

A bright yellow bicycle is parked in front of a red railcar that serves as the Homer-Center Historical Society Museum along the Hoodlebug Trail in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. The railcar features signs identifying it as a museum with graphics depicting a coal car and industrial buildings. A brick walkway and small garden border the railcar, while trees and park benches can be seen in the background. The museum sits beside the 10-mile Hoodlebug Trail, which follows the former route of the Pennsylvania Railroad’s Indiana Branch, once traveled by the “Hoodlebug” passenger coach.

Around the midpoint of the trail, the Sheetz at Yankeetown makes for a convenient rest stop where riders can grab a drink or snack before continuing north.

A bright yellow bicycle is parked near a wooden sign marking the Hoodlebug Trail Yankeetown Access Area in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. In the background, a busy intersection and a red-roofed Sheetz convenience store are visible under an overcast sky. This trailhead serves as one of several access points to the 10-mile Hoodlebug Trail, which follows the former Pennsylvania Railroad’s Indiana Branch once traveled by the self-propelled “Hoodlebug” passenger coach.

The route continues through quiet woodlands, sometimes running beside old rail lines and beneath overpasses that frame the view ahead like gateways to another time.

A bright yellow bicycle is parked on the paved Hoodlebug Trail beneath a towering steel railroad bridge supported by massive concrete piers in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. The trail curves gently through a wooded area with early autumn foliage, while the bridge spans high overhead, casting shadows across the path. This scenic section of the 10-mile rail trail follows the former Pennsylvania Railroad’s Indiana Branch, once used by the self-propelled “Hoodlebug” passenger coach.

Occasional clearings offer glimpses of the surrounding hills, especially beautiful during the fall foliage season.

A bright yellow bicycle rests on a leaf-covered stretch of the Hoodlebug Trail that winds through a rocky, tree-lined corridor in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. A wooden fence borders one side of the paved path, while moss-covered rock ledges rise along the other. Dappled sunlight filters through the canopy of early autumn leaves, highlighting the serene, natural beauty of this section of the 10-mile rail trail that follows the former Pennsylvania Railroad’s Indiana Branch, once traveled by the self-propelled “Hoodlebug” passenger coach.

As you approach Indiana, the landscape transitions to a more urban setting, signaling the trail’s northern end.

A bright yellow bicycle is parked on the paved Hoodlebug Trail beneath the towering concrete overpasses of Route 422 in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. The trail, lined with green vegetation and scattered autumn leaves, stretches straight ahead through the shaded corridor formed by the highway above. This section of the 10-mile rail trail follows the former Pennsylvania Railroad’s Indiana Branch, once traveled by the self-propelled “Hoodlebug” passenger coach.

The town, best known as the birthplace of legendary actor Jimmy Stewart, honors its hometown hero with landmarks like Jimmy Stewart Boulevard near the trail’s terminus.

A bright yellow bicycle rests on the paved Hoodlebug Trail in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, near a blue roadside sign marking Jimmy Stewart Boulevard. The trail runs parallel to a row of houses and businesses in the distance, while trees line the opposite side, arching over the peaceful path scattered with fallen leaves. This section of the 10-mile rail trail follows the former route of the Pennsylvania Railroad’s Indiana Branch, once traveled by the self-propelled “Hoodlebug” passenger coach.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re pedaling for exercise, exploration, or nostalgia, the Hoodlebug Trail delivers a perfect blend of history and natural beauty.

A bright yellow bicycle is parked at the Rose Street trailhead of the Hoodlebug Trail in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. Signs mark distances to various destinations along the 10-mile route, and a colorful banner reading “We ? Trails” flutters above the path. A large engraved stone identifies the trail beside the paved entrance, which runs parallel to railroad tracks bordered by autumn trees. The Hoodlebug Trail follows the former Pennsylvania Railroad’s Indiana Branch, once used by the self-propelled “Hoodlebug” passenger coach.

It’s an inviting route that connects past and present along one of western Pennsylvania’s most enjoyable rail trails.

A bright yellow bicycle rests on the paved Hoodlebug Trail surrounded by a dense canopy of trees in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. Sunlight filters through the leaves, casting dappled light across the path, which stretches straight into the distance through a peaceful forest setting. Fallen leaves hint at the start of autumn along this scenic 10-mile rail trail that follows the former Pennsylvania Railroad’s Indiana Branch, once used by the self-propelled “Hoodlebug” passenger coach.

The Ghost Town Trai l, a rail trail which spans more than 50 miles across Indiana and Cambria counties, is an adventure rich with history and natural beauty.

Four images from a bike ride along the Ghost Town Trail in western Pennsylvania. The first image shows a cyclist riding over a wooden bridge surrounded by lush green trees. The second image features a sign for the Eliza Furnace Historic Site, with a stone furnace and informational displays in the background. The third image captures an orange bicycle parked in front of a graffiti-covered wall that reads "Ghost Town Trail" amidst dense forest. The fourth image depicts a narrow, tree-lined trail with steep rock walls, where the same orange bicycle is parked on the path.

9 Must-See Attractions in Indiana County is your guide to even more great things to see and do near the Hoodlebug Trail.

This is a collage of four images featuring notable attractions in Indiana County, Pennsylvania: Top left: A serene lake surrounded by trees with autumn foliage, reflecting the colors on the water surface, with an old wooden dock extending into the lake. Top right: Thomas Covered Bridge, a white wooden covered bridge with a sign indicating its height clearance, set against a backdrop of flowering trees in full bloom. Bottom left: The entrance to the Jimmy Stewart Museum, with a historical marker in the foreground and festive decorations around the entry, honoring the famed actor. Bottom right: A picturesque waterfall flowing through lush green woodland, with a stair pathway leading down alongside it for a closer view. The images collectively highlight the natural and cultural beauty of Indiana County.

15 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!

Did you enjoy this article?

If so, be sure to like and follow PA Bucket List on Facebook, Instagram, and/or Pinterest to learn more about the best things to see and do in Pennsylvania!

Click on any of the icons below to get connected to PA Bucket List on social media.