Biking Guide: Samuel Justus Recreational Trail
Special Trail Notes

Location
South side of Allegheny River near Franklin, Cranberry Township, Venango County

Trailheads
Franklin, Oil City

Length/Surface
Reported 5.8 miles, asphalt 8 feet wide; measured 5.4 miles gate to gate; 9 ft wide

Description
Uncrowded, rural, mostly sunny, flat

Available
Portable toilets, bike rental, food, swimming, fishing

Restrictions:
Horses ok; no motorized vehicles

Driving time from Pittsburgh:1 hour 45 minutes North

Trail organization: Richard A. Castonguay, Secretary, Cranberry Township, PO Box 378, Seneca PA 16346, (814) 676-8812

A 9-foot strip of excellent asphalt runs along the former Allegheny Valley Railroad right-of-way between the south bank of the Allegheny River and a wooded bluff. The trail is almost completely flat and runs about 30 feet above the river, affording good views of whatever is happening on the river. Birds and wildflowers are abundant.

The trail passes several oil wells, some still operating, and oil storage tanks. Picnic areas between the trail and the river offer shade and picnic tables; they are located 0.7 mile upstream from the Franklin gate and 0.5 mile downstream from the Oil City gate.

This information provided from and with the permission of Mary Shaw and Roy Weil. For more information on bike trails in Western Pennsylvania, order their book, "FreeWheeling Easy in Western Pennsylvania," the definative guide to local biking.