The Lower Trail follows the Frankstown Branch of the Juniata River in Blair County, Pennsylvania. Both a canal and a railroad ran along this stream, and remnants of both can still be seen. It is part of the Pittsburgh to Harrisburg Mainline National Recreation Trail. Photograph copyright © 2009 by Mary Shaw
On the Lower Trail, near Williamsburg PA, this handsome stone arch bridge carries the trail over Fox Run. It also provides inspiration for an abstract view of the bridge in autumn. Photograph copyright © 2009 by Mary Shaw
The Montour Trail, otherwise
continuous for many miles in both directions, was interrupted at this intersection by a missing bridge. The trail continues to both ends of the
demolished bridge, but the bridge is 15 feet above the road. Trail travelers had been forced to detour for a half mile along busy PA 50 before the bridge was built. Photograph copyright © 2009 by Mary Shaw
An all-volunteer project of the Montour Trail group reduced the hazards of a missing railroad bridge for trail users by installing a stairway from the old bridge down to the side of the road. The slope of the stairs and a wheel trough provide easy passage for bicyclists. Photograph copyright © 2009 by Mary Shaw
"The Montour Trail provides a route from the Great Allegheny Passage to the west, and eventually to Pittsburgh Airport. The trail has created a group of campsites near Hendersonville to support self-contained bicycle tourists. Photograph copyright © 2009 by Mary Shaw
Roaring Run Trail follows the Kiskiminetas River from Edmon to Apollo, PA with a spur trail up Roaring Run. Both a canal and a railroad ran along the river, and the route is part of the Pittsburgh to Harrisburg Mainline National Recreational Trail. Photograph copyright © 2009 by Mary Shaw
Roaring Run Trail near Apollo, PA. A spur trail runs up Roaring Run. Until this suspension bridge was built, trail
users had to ford the stream here. Photograph copyright © 2009 by Mary Shaw
Along the Roaring Run Trail. The Trux Mine was once one of the worst abandoned mine water discharges in Pennsylvania, with mine water cascading down this slope and coating the bank with bright orange sludge. A remediation project is capturing the sludge, leaving a stable hillside that supports vegetation. Photograph copyright © 2009 by Mary Shaw
Staple Bend Tunnel Trail follows part of the route of the Allegheny Portage Railroad. Most significantly, the oldest railroad tunnel in the United States was reopened to accommodate the trail. Photograph copyright © 2009 by Mary Shaw
On Staple Bend Tunnel Trail, part of the Pittsburgh to Harrisburg Mainline Trail. One of the historic features of the Allegheny Portage Railroad was the use of stone sleepers instead of wooden ties. This row of sleepers is visible beside the trail. Photograph copyright © 2009 by Mary Shaw
West Penn Trail follows the Conemaugh River from near Blairsville to Saltsburgh, PA. When the Corps of Engineers built a flood control lake here half a century ago, the railroad was relocated to higher ground. The stone bridges that formerly carried the railroad over the valley now carry the West Penn Trail. Photograph copyright © 2009 by Mary Shaw
West Penn Trail passes over Conemaugh Lake, a flood control reservoir. The high water level in the lake is higher than the tunnel that carried the railroad through Bow Ridge, so the tunnel is plugged and bicyclists must climb over the ridge. These stairs make the climb easier. Photograph copyright © 2009 by Mary Shaw
On the West Penn Trail between Blairsville and Tunnelton, PA. Below the flood control dam, the original arch bridges emerge from a tunnel that is now closed; bicyclists must go over the ridge that the tunnel goes through. The relocated railroad crosses over the original stone bridge, which carries the trail over the river here. Photograph copyright © 2009 by Mary Shaw
Both a railroad and a canal followed this route. A park in Saltsburg shows where one of the canal locks once was. The West Penn Trail is part of the Pittsburgh to Harrisburg Mainline Trail, which is itself a National Recreational Trail. Photograph copyright © 2009 by Mary Shaw
The Youghiogheny River Trail is part of the Great Allegheny Passage, which is also a National Recreational Trail. Near Boston, PA, in early autumn the trail is covered in leaves. Photograph copyright © 2009 by Mary Shaw
Diamondback on the Youghiogheny River Trail between Confluence and Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania, Although it is not common, you may see rattlesnakes near the trail. Photograph copyright © 2009 by Mary Shaw
The visitor’s center offers demonstrations of a restored lock on the Cuyahoga Valley Towpath in the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area just south of Cleveland, OH. Photograph copyright © 2009 by Mary Shaw
The towpath of the Ohio and Erie canal has been developed as a trail in the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area and extends north and south as the Ohio & Erie Trail. The towpath passes through a wetlands on a boardwalk. Photograph copyright © 2009 by Mary Shaw
Along the Erie Canal Heritage Trail in Lockport, NY. The original canal had two flights of five locks, one for passage in each direction. One of these remains; the other has been replaced by a single modern deep lock. Photograph copyright © 2009 by Mary Shaw
Nine Mile Run Aqueduct under
restoration along Erie Canal Heritage Trail in Camillus, NY. When it is finished, it will be the only restored navigable aqueduct in New York State. Photograph copyright © 2009 by Mary Shaw
National Recreation Trails: 
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