The Redbank Valley Trail is a 51-mile non-motorized, rail banked, multi-use trail in northwestern Pennsylvania. The trail is recognized as one of Pennsylvania’s Statewide Major Greenways and was designated Pennsylvania’s first "Trail of the Year" in 2014.
The trail and the completion of the Climax Tunnel was a collaborative effort between Allegheny Valley Land Trust and the Redbank Valley Trails Association.
Climax Tunnel, near Redbank Valley Trails’ midpoint was opened for trail use in 2018 after implementing five years of grant-funded improvements. The tunnel had been designated by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources as one of the state’s Top 10 Trail Gaps. In addition, the Climax Tunnel was the first of PA’s Top 10 Trail Gaps to be completed. Work on the tunnel included, steel supports each portal, uniting in the center, a buttress wall, an 80-foot extension to protect from rock falls and a paved interior surface were added to the 1876 vintage 528-foot tunnel, now 608 feet.
The Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) sponsored a grand reopening celebration on August 18, 2018. More than 200 attended. PEC produced a video of the event. Use has increased since its reopening, with B&Bs seeing increased bookings. Preservation PA gave an award for preserving the tunnel and its history, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tzz-1LfrzA
Project Leaders: Allegheny Valley Trails Association (now called Armstrong Trails), Redbank Valley Trails Association
Partners: ACMH Foundation, Benedum Foundation, Commonwealth Financing Authority, DCNR Bureau of Recreation and Conservation, Northwest Commission, PennDOT, Pennsylvania Environmental Council
Learn more: redbankvalleytrails.org
https://www.facebook.com/RedbankValleyTrails/?ref=page_internal
2021: Vermilion Falls Trail
2020: Blue Ridge Tunnel Rehabilitation & Trail Project
2020: Milan Trail Huggers Nash Stream Bridge
2019: Weed Patch Mountain Trail
2018: Ouachita National Recreation Trail Shelters - Arkansas and Oklahoma
2017: Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area - Pennsylvania
2016: Kanab Creek OHV Bridge - Utah
2015: Blanca Peak and Ellingwood Point Trail Project - Colorado
2015: Joanna Trail Project - Missouri
2014: Abbott Motocross Park - Nebraska
2014: Millersburg Historic Park and Trailhead - Michigan
2013: East and West Twin Creek Bridges - Michigan
2012: Chattahoochee Nature Trails - Florida
2012: Tahoe-Pyramid Bikeway - Nevada
2011: Iron Range OHV Recreation Area - Minnesota
2010: Agassiz Recreational Trail - Minnesota
2009: Sam Houston Multiple-Use Trail - Texas
2008: Wanoga Snopark Shelter - Oregon
2007: Potato Knob Trail at Holly River State Park - West Virginia
2006: Indian Canyon Trailhead - California
2006: Upper Waiakea ATV/Dirt Bike Park - Hawaii
2006: County Line Acres Bikeway - Ohio
2005: River Bluff Trail Project - Indiana
2005: Red Creek Bridge - Michigan
2005: MKT Trailhead Project - Missouri
2004: Diana Bend Conservation Area Trail Project - Missouri
2004: Sweetser Switch Trail Project - Indiana
2003: Jane Addams Trail - Illinois
2003: Hatfield-McCoy Regional Recreation Area - West Virginia
