Allegheny River Trail

One of northern PA’s greatest outdoor recreational treasures, the Allegheny River Trail runs for thirty-two miles of asphalt from Franklin, PA to Foxburg, PA. Don’t worry if you and your pooch don’t want to walk the whole way, though -- there are plenty of trailheads along the route. Parking is available at most of them, though capacity varies. If a good long walk is just what the doctor (or vet) ordered, you can split the journey over two days -- Fido-friendly accommodation is available at the Days Inn in Oil City, Gaslight Campgrounds in Foxburg, and at some primitive sites along the route. The trek is pretty pawpular with local pups and their people, but congestion depends on the day. Sometimes the path is busy, but at off-peak times, you might only see a couple of other souls on the entire trip.

Make no bones about it, this certainly is a pretty place for you and your buddy to stretch all six of your legs! The trail meanders along the slow-moving Allegheny River and past picturesque small towns. It’s also bordered on one side by wooded wonderland, and the mature trees make for plenty of shade. You’ll find a couple of other natural features along the way, too -- Freedom Falls in Emlenton, in particular, is a real mutts-visit! Not only that, but you’ll also see a few historic and architecturally interesting bridges and viaducts. If you’re itching for further exploration, you might be glad to know that the path intersects with the Sandy Creek Trail.

With a wide, relatively flat and paved surface, this trail is suitable for everyone from the most athletic animals to older furry friends who can’t quite move like they used to. There are some slight inclines, but nothing truly difficult. The trail passes through a couple of tunnels, and they’re longer than they look, so be sure to bring a flashlight and, of course, water and waste bags to keep the area clean. The Allegheny River Trail sticks relatively close to civilization, with all the amenities that implies -- while there aren’t many restrooms along the route itself, you can stop somewhere to take a bathroom break or pick up some provisions. If you find yourself in northern PA, you’d be barking mad not to go!