National Historic Site · Pennsylvania

Trails in Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site

26 named trails · 18 miles · 2 with the Park Service's own write-up. The lines, trailheads and points are the Park Service's; the write-ups are the Service's own words; the climbing is read from USGS elevation along each line.

Open on the parks map Every park with trails Park on nps.gov

26 trails, A to Z.

6 to 10 Trail (Boardwalk Trail)

0.2 mi one way · 40 ft of descent · 2,339 ft–2,378 ft · hiking

ExhibitsVisitor centers

Along the way Incline 6 Exhibit Shelter Visitor Center

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

6 to 10 Trail (Hiking and Biking)

4.0 mi one way · about 300 ft of climbing · 1,245 ft–1,569 ft · bike

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

6 to 10 Trail (Hiking Only)

3.1 mi one way · about 200 ft of climbing · 800 ft of descent · 1,567 ft–2,239 ft · hiking

History

Along the way Skew Arch Bridge

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

6 to 10 Trail (Skew Arch Trail)

0.4 mi one way · 200 ft of descent · 2,141 ft–2,335 ft · hiking

Exhibits

Along the way Incline 6 Exhibit Shelter

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

6 to 10 Trailhead

0.1 mi one way · 20 ft of descent · 1,246 ft–1,265 ft · bike

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Amphitheater Trail

0.1 mi one way · about 10 ft of climbing · 2,395 ft–2,406 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Foot of Ten Spur

1.2 mi one way · about 150 ft of climbing · 1,113 ft–1,280 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Historic Culvert 1532 Spur

0.3 mi one way · about 50 ft of climbing · 1,492 ft–1,558 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Incline 6 Spur

2,282 ft–2,285 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Incline 9 Spur

1.2 mi one way · about 70 ft of climbing · 150 ft of descent · 1,287 ft–1,443 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Lemon House Trail

0.3 mi one way · about 20 ft of climbing · 2,330 ft–2,348 ft · hiking

History

Along the way Lemon House Tavern

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Level 6 Trail

1.4 mi one way · about 10 ft of climbing · 200 ft of descent · 2,143 ft–2,344 ft · hiking

HistoryExhibits

Along the way Incline 6 Exhibit Shelter Lemon House Tavern

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Mill Road Access

0.1 mi one way · 1,109 ft–1,119 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Muleshoe Access

0.1 mi one way · 30 ft of descent · 1,530 ft–1,561 ft · bike

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Muleshoe Bridge

0.1 mi one way · 1,560 ft–1,568 ft · bike

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Nature Spur

0.1 mi one way · about 10 ft of climbing · 2,323 ft–2,336 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Nature Trail

1.1 mi one way · about 80 ft of climbing · 2,307 ft–2,394 ft · hiking

HistoryExhibits

Along the way Incline 6 Exhibit Shelter Lemon House Tavern

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Picnic Loop Inner Trail

0.4 mi one way · about 40 ft of climbing · 2,377 ft–2,417 ft · hiking

Picnic areas

Along the way Picnic Area Picnic Table

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Picnic Loop Outer Trail

0.3 mi one way · 70 ft of descent · 2,336 ft–2,410 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Picnic Loop Trail

0.4 mi one way · about 50 ft of climbing · 2,334 ft–2,389 ft · hiking

Picnic areas

Along the way Picnic Area Picnic Table

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Picnic Spur

0.1 mi one way · about 20 ft of climbing · 2,385 ft–2,403 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Staple Bend Tunnel

0.2 mi one way · about 150 ft of climbing · 1,463 ft–1,592 ft · bike

Hike or bike to the Staple Bend Tunnel the Park Service's write-up

dogs allowed

The Staple Bend Tunnel, the first railroad tunnel in America, can be accessed from the trailhead on Beech Hill Road in Mineral Point. Visitors can hike or bike approximately two miles each way to the 901 foot long tunnel following the old railroad bed. This section is also part of the Path of the Flood Trail as you parallel the Little Conemaugh River towards Johnstown. Visitors can imagine what it would have been like to travel on this important transportation. Interpretive panels help tell the story of the Main Line Canal, Allegheny Portage Railroad, the tunnel and the workers who blasted through the Allegheny Mountains.

Park grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Please note, there is no winter maintenance on the trail.

Accessibility From the parking lot in Mineral Point, the trail is approximately four miles round trip to the tunnel and back. It can only be accessed by hiking or by bicycle. Vehicle are not permitted on the trail. The trail is flat and the surface is crushed limestone.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Staple Bend Tunnel Trail

2.2 mi one way · about 20 ft of climbing · 90 ft of descent · 1,362 ft–1,445 ft · bike

Hike or bike to the Staple Bend Tunnel the Park Service's write-up

dogs allowed

Park grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Please note, there is no winter maintenance on the trail.

This hike on nps.gov

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Staple Bend Tunnel Trail (Hiking Only)

0.3 mi one way · about 50 ft of climbing · 1,424 ft–1,475 ft · hiking

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

Staple Bend Tunnel Trailhead

0.1 mi one way · 1,442 ft–1,453 ft · bike

On the parks map · Drive to the trail's end

More hikes the Park Service describes

Write-ups that name no single mapped trail, in the Service's words.

Guided Hikes · dogs allowed
Heritage Hikes are led by a park ranger during the summer months. The distance varies by hike. Reservations are required.
Hike along the Summit Level · dogs allowed
At the bottom of the boardwalk at Engine House 6 Exhibit Shelter, visitors are walking along the Summit Level of the Allegheny Portage Railroad. This section is the highest point that the Allegheny Portage Railroad crossed the Allegheny Mountains. The Allegheny Portage Railroad had 10 inclined planes and 11 levels.
Hike the Inclines 6 to 10 Trail · dogs allowed
The Inclines 6 to 10 Trail follows the route of the Allegheny Portage Railroad. The hiking sections of the trail are located on or near the original route of the Allegheny Portage Railroad. The bicycle section is located on the route of the New Portage Railroad. Sections of this trail are very steep and rugged.
The Skew Arch Bridge · dogs allowed
The Skew Arch Bridge is an original feature of the Allegheny Portage Railroad. It is the only road bridge that was built along the path of the railroad. It was constructed of stone and allowed for Huntington, Cambria and Indiana Turnpike traffic to cross over the railroad. The "skew arch" was designed to accommodate the bend in the turnpike road.

About these trails

The lines are the National Park Service's public trails layer, the trailheads and the waterfalls, views, peaks and historic places along them the Service's public points of interest, read 2026-10-14 and simplified for the map. The write-ups are the Service's own "things to do", unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the park's own site before you go.