First Day Hike
First Day Hike
Allegheny National Forest Region offers winter-friendly trails for the entire family
Welcome in the new year with a First Day Hike at the Kinzua Bridge State Park, and then keep the fun going hiking or cross-country skiing on the Kinzua Valley Rail Trail in Westline, Pennsylvania …
FIRST DAY HIKE
Start the New Year in a healthy way by joining in the fun of a First Day Hike at the Kinzua Bridge State Park. “First Day Hikes are a great way to make a resolution to enjoy nature and get more exercise and keep it on the first day of the year,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “They also help remind people that our state parks and forests are open for healthy outdoor adventures in all four seasons, including winter. Consider taking a hike and spending time outdoors to start 2022.”
The Kinzua Bridge State Park’s First Day Hike is a guided hike and will take place Jan. 1, 2022 from noon to 1:00pm on the General Kane Trail. The trail is 1.5 miles and is easy in difficulty level. Dress in layers for the weather and wear appropriate shoes/boots. Meet in the Overflow Parking Lot at the Kinzua Bridge State Park. In case of extreme weather, check with the park office at 814-778-5467 for possible event cancellation.
After the hike, enjoy visiting the Kinzua Bridge Visitors Center. Explore the fascinating history of the Kinzua Viaduct, first constructed in 1882 of wrought iron, rebuilt of steel in 1900, and then re-invented as the Kinzua Sky Walk following the tornado of 2003. Today, the Kinzua Sky Walk is open daily from 8:00am to dusk. Admission is free.
Winter hours at the Kinzua Bridge Visitors Center start Jan. 3, 2022. The Visitors Center will switch from seven days a week to six, closing on Sundays. Daily Hours will be Monday to Saturday from 8:00am-4:00pm except on the following holiday weekends: Martin Luther King Days (Jan. 15-17th) and President’s Day weekend (Feb. 19th-21st). The park is located at 296 Viaduct Road, Mt. Jewett, PA.
KINZUA VALLEY RAIL TRAIL
Snow or no snow, the Kinzua Valley Trail is a fun destination for a day spent in the outdoors. Trail highlights include a beautiful covered bridge, the woodland ambiance of nature and the southing sounds of Kinzua Creek, a woodland stream which runs alongside the trail.
The Kinzua Valley Rail Trail is open for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing. The trail winds alongside Kinzua Creek following the old “Valley Railroad” grade. The trail is 10 miles in length, connecting the Red Bridge Campground in the Allegheny National Forest, the village of Westline, to the new trailheads along Route 219 (also known as Tally Ho).
Additional trailheads are in the village of Westline near the intersection of Westline and Church Roads and the Red Bridge Recreation Area along Route 321 north of Kane, PA. The 8-foot-wide trail has a crushed limestone surface and a difficulty rating of moderate. Equestrian use is permitted from the Rt. 219 trailhead to Westline.
For information on this trail and other trails in the Allegheny National Forest Region go to www.visitANF.com/trail-central.
After playing in the outdoors, a wonderful destination dining location is the Westline Inn. Nestled in the forest, south of Bradford and north of the Kinzua Bridge State Park, the Westline Inn amenities include a casual pub with bar seating and shuffleboard, a separate area to enjoy fine dining in a rustic décor, plus the option of overnight lodging. Folks in casual, outdoor clothing are welcome. Westline Inn is located at 1 Westline Road, Westline, PA 16740. Learn more at www.westlineine.com.
For additional information on the area click over to www.visitANF.com or call 800-473-9370 for a free 2022 Adventure Guide for the Allegheny National Forest Region.