Snowmobiling Allegheny Nat. Forest
Northern Pennsylvania’s vast wilderness offers superb snowmobiling
Kids on bicycles will collect like an old-west posse massed for the chase. They'll gather by the dozen on our two-wheeled steeds, eagerly anticipating a day-long dash through the local streets and parks.
We adults assemble on high-powered snowmobiles, ardently awaiting an all-day, high-speed drive though mountainous dense forest.
Sledding together combines the call of the wild, a dynamic group comradery, and the thrill of piloting a powerful machine. Sure, you can snowmobile solo. But, sharing makes the adventure special. I’ve throttled with these folks through bewitching woodlands, past eye-popping vistas and across unfettered snowfields. We’ve always finished smiling.
North central Pennsylvania’s Allegheny National Forest, just a few hours’ drive from greater Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Cleveland and Youngstown, is prime smile-inducing territory. Its trails snake and wind tully 366 miles through the wilderness, ripping through territory covering 513,000 acres.
This is indisputable exhilaration. This is prime cruising on wide trails that have been assiduously groomed like a major league baseball infield. The thick woods whip past, snow frosts the evergreens, breaks in the trees reveal splendid vistas—it’s like zooming through a Thomas Cole landscape painting. Who could tire of this?
But, if fatigue does set in, the ANF offers respite at Trail Host houses. You’ll find them along the Allegheny Snowmobile Loop. Stop in, refresh, pick up maps and other info, then move out again.
The Loop is ANF's most popular route. It covers 150 miles, you finish where you started, you intersect with small towns along the way, and you can access many side trails from it.
The Jake’s Rocks area is another top ANF ride. It reveals an overlook of the Kinzua Reservoir, and offers a leisurely, scenery-rich rumble.
A detour into Westline takes you to the old Westline Inn, built in the early 20th century and an excellent eatery.
Marienville, the Loop’s southernmost town, is a hopping place with easy sled access to gas stations, convenient car/trailer parking, and restaurants and bars that stay open late. Best, the locals annually stage a fine winter festival that includes a very cool torchlight snowmobile parade.
Even novices can have a blast in the ANF. The Timberline ATV Trail in Ridgway covers 38 miles and connects to the Marienville ATV Trail.
Altogether, riding the ANF ranks among Pennsylvania’s best sledding. Just round up your posse and hit the trail.
More Information:
Snow conditions: 877-766-6253 toll free; or 814-723-5150
General Info: 717-783-922; www.pagreatoutdoors.com; www.northernalleghenies.com; or www.allegheny-vacation.com
