Biker's
Pocket Guide

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Welcome bikers

This brochure of self-guided tours was put together for bikers by bikers. We’ve been on every one of these roads, some of them, quite a few times, and we know you’ll enjoy these rides as much as we do. Along the way you’ll pass numerous opportunities to stop and look around, buy souvenirs and refresh yourself. There are some stretches where gas stations are rather sparse so start each ride with a full gas tank.

We’ve double-checked these directions and we’re reasonably sure of their accuracy. If you do go astray, if you’re like us, anything less than 50 miles or an hour in duration and you’re not lost, just “a might turned around”. These directions are meant only as a general guide, you are encouraged to make changes and side trips as you see fit.

We’ve tried to keep this thing short so you could carry it in a pocket but, if possible, we recommend you pick up a Northwest PA Great Outdoors Visitor’s Guide as a companion to this pamphlet. It will give you more background on the area as well as places to shop, stop & stay. If you’re going on the Elk Range Ride, another handy piece of literature is the Elk Viewing Guide also put out by the Great Outdoors.

If you go on just one of these rides, we’re sure you’ll come to love The Wilds of Pennsylvania as much as we do. Click here to download a Printable Version in PDF format, requires Adobe Acrobat Reader

ALLEGHENY NATIONAL FOREST RIDE

Synopsis: Most of this ride is through the ANF. Distance: approximately 120 miles.

  1. Start at the Elk County Courthouse in historic downtown Ridgway. Begin by traveling north on PA948 for about 27 miles to the village of Barnes and the intersection of PA666 (The Devil’s Highway). Along the way you’ll pass through Elk and Forest Counties into Warren County.
  2. Turn left (west) on PA666 and you’ll reenter Forest County. Forest County has the distinction of being the only county in Pennsylvania without a traffic light. The road parallels Tionesta Creek for most of the way. After about 32 miles you’ll come to the intersection of US62 in the village of East Hickory.
  3. Turn left (south) on US62. The waterway on your right is the Allegheny River. In the 7 miles between here and Tionesta Borough you’ll pass four historical markers. If you’re interested in that type of thing, watch for them. They’re all on the right. When you arrive in Tionesta you’ll find it to be a scenic little town on the Allegheny River; you may want to take some time to look around.
  4. In Tionesta, US62 makes a 90-degree right turn, to continue your tour go straight (south) on PA36 for approximately 12 miles to the intersection of PA66 in the village of Leeper. During the summer there is a large flea market held here every weekend.
  5. At the light, turn left (north) on PA66 for approximately 13 miles to the village of Marienville. In Marienville you will observe a seven-point intersection. There is a sign here directing you to the Ranger Station.
  6. At this intersection, turn right onto the blacktop road (SR2005) toward Loleta State Park. When you cross into Elk County the route number changes to SR3002. Watch the signs carefully as this road make three 90-degree turns. Stay on the main road to Ridgway.
  7. It’s 29 miles back to Ridgway. If you didn’t do so before leaving, take some time now to walk around town and see the chainsaw carvings placed throughout town. Ridgway is known as the Chainsaw Capital of the World.

ELK RANGE RIDE

Synopsis: This ride will take you through the Moshannon State Forest, the Quehanna Wild Area and the Pennsylvania wild elk range. Distance: approximately 104-miles.

  1. Begin at exit 120 of I-80 and head north on PA879 for approximately 20 miles where PA879 makes a 90-degree right turn into the village of Karthus.
  2. Don’t make this right turn but keep going straight on the Quehanna Highway (SR1011). You’ll travel through the Quehanna Boot Camp, part of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections. It’s about 8 miles to the Cameron County line from the village of Karthus. Once you cross into Cameron County watch for the sign that says “Wykoff Run”, it’s only a couple of hundred yards from the Clearfield County line.
  3. Turn right on Wykoff Run (SR2001). When you’ve gone about 4.2 miles you’ll see a sign saying “Foleys Draft”, just beyond this there is a wide spot. Pull over here, as there is a small waterfall near here that makes it a nice place to take a break and take pictures. It’s another 6 miles to the village of Sinnemahoning famous for it’s annual rattlesnake hunt. Here you’ll cross Sinnemahoning Creek and come to a stop sign at the intersection of PA120
  4. You can make a side trip here to Stevenson Dam by turning right (east) on PA120 and go a couple of hundred yards to the intersection of PA872 where you’ll turn left (north). It’s approximately 8 miles to Stevenson Dam.
  5. If you don’t make the side trip, turn left (west) on PA120 and proceed for 4 miles to the village of Driftwood. PA120 between Emporium and Renova is a scenic route and has been designated as Bucktail State Park.
  6. Turn left (west) on PA555 and you’ll see the monument to The Bucktail Regiment. Tom Mix, the silent-screen movie star, was born near here not in Texas as studio biographies of that time would have you believe. Proceed west for approximately 16 miles to the village of Benezette. You are now in the heart of the Pennsylvania wild elk herd range. Along the way you may have seen signs with an arrow that say “Elk Viewing Area”. Unless you’re on a dual-purpose machine it is NOT recommended you take a motorcycle on these roads.
  7. When you reach Benezette, if you wish to make a side trip, now is the time to turn right where the sign says “Elk Viewing Area”. Following the signs will take you to the top of Winslow hill and the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s elk viewing area. It’s approximately a 3½ -mile ride from PA555 to the viewing area.
  8. If you omit the side trip, continue west on PA555 for approximately 4 miles to the village of Medix Run and the intersection of SR2004. PA555 follows the Bennett’s Branch of Susquehanna Creek for most of this distance from Driftwood.
  9. Turn left onto SR2004 and you’ll have a leisurely 42-mile ride through the Quehanna Wild Area back to your starting point.

COOK FOREST RIDE

Synopsis: This ride takes you through Cook Forest State Park and surrounding areas. Plenty of restaurants and souvenir shops along the way. Distance: approximately 76 miles.

  1. Begin at the Clarion County Courthouse in downtown Clarion the Home of Clarion University of Pennsylvania. At the Intersection of Main Street (US322) & 5th Avenue (SR1005). Go north on 5th Avenue (away from I-80). You’ll cross over the Clarion River as you leave the borough.
  2. Continue on this road, which is now called the Miola Road, for about 7 miles where SR1004 intersects on the left there is a historical marker here for Helen Furnace, an old iron kiln constructed in the 1840’s. The furnace is only about a hundred yards down SR1004 and it’s worth a look but be advised; the parking lot and short driveway leading to it are both loose gravel.
  3. Go back to Miola Road and continue north for another 4 miles to the intersection or PA36.
  4. Turn left (north) on PA36 and go about 3 miles to the village of Leeper. During the summer there is a large flea market held here every weekend.
  5.  At the light turn right (north) on PA66 and proceed for 11-miles to the intersection of PA899 in the village of Roses.
  6. At PA899 turn right (south) and go 9-miles where you will turn right onto River Road (SR2001). Watch for the sign that says “Clarion River Lodge”. If you cross the bridge over the Clarion River, you’ve gone too far. After making the turn you will immediately come to a “Y”, bear left on SR2002.
  7. Follow River Road along the Clarion River for about 8 miles to the intersection of PA36. There are many places to pull over if you want to stop and just watch the river. The State Park Ranger Station is also located on River Road near the intersection of PA36.
  8. At this intersection, you may want to make a side trip to the Sawmill Center for the Arts. If so, turn right and within a couple of hundred yards you’ll come to a “Y” intersection. Turn right and follow the signs.
  9. A second side trip from the intersection of River Road and PA36 is to Seneca Point. Turn right (north) on PA36 and go one mile. There is a dirt road on the left and there are signs. Be advised: this road is one-way for three miles, so once you start you’re committed. The road is hard packed dirt and gravel so if you are uncomfortable on this type of surface, or are afraid you’ll get your paint chipped, give it a pass. If you do want to try it, we highly recommend this side trip for it’s view. Once you turn off of PA36, it’s 1.3 miles to the parking area and then about a two hundred yard walk to Seneca Point. If you’re ambitious, and not afraid of heights, you can even climb the fire tower.
  10. If you skip the side-trips, turn left (south) toward Brookville at the intersection of River Road and PA36. After about 16 miles you’ll come to the stop light at the intersection of US322.
  11. Turn right (west) on US322 and it’s about 16 miles back to Clarion. Or, if you aren’t tired of riding, turn left and stay on PA36 (south) to start the Groundhog Ride.

GROUNDHOG RIDE

Synopsis: This ride takes you through Punxsutawney and to Gobbler’s Knob where Punxsutawney Phil makes his annual prediction. Distance: approximately 65 miles.

  1. Start at the Jefferson County Courthouse in historic Brookville Borough and go south on PA28 (Main Street) to the first traffic light, which is the intersection of PA36.
  2. At the light turn left (south) on PA36. It’s 20 miles to Punxsutawney on a nice 2-lane highway with passing lanes on the hills.
  3.  Stay on PA36 into Punxy and you’ll see a park and the Borough Building on your right. Stop here and visit Phil who is kept in a small zoo in the Library that is part of the Borough Building. You may also want to walk around town and see the fiberglass “Phantastic Phil” public art display.
  4. Continue south on PA36 for about ½ mile to Woodland Avenue (SR3012) where you need to turn right. There should be a sign here saying “Gobbler’s Knob”.
  5. Stay on this road for about a mile to Gobbler’s Knob. If you didn’t bring your camera (shame on you) at most times you can have your picture taken here. As you leave Gobbler’s Knob continue in the direction you were going for about 1½ miles and it will bring you out on US119 just south of Punxy Borough.
  6. Turn right (north) on US119 and in approximately 1 mile you will be back in Punxy. Stay on US119 through town for another mile to the intersection of PA310.
  7. Turn left (north) on PA310 for approximately 13 miles to Reynoldsville Borough where PA310 intersects with US322.
  8. Turn left (west) on US322 for approximately 1 mile where it intersects with PA950.
  9. Turn right (north) on PA950 for approximately 7 miles to Falls Creek Borough.
  10. At the stop sign in Falls Creek turn left (west) on PA830 and proceed for about 14 miles back to US322. Watch the route signs through here and stay on PA830.
  11. At the intersection of US322, turn right (west) for 6 miles to Brookville.