Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Pittsburgh-to-Harrisburg Main Line Canal Greenway


An illustrious past, a vibrant future – the Pittsburgh-to-Harrisburg Main Line Canal Greenway™ illustrates the Main Line Canal’s legacy, preserving the heritage of the people and places that make Pennsylvania unique, offering a vivid exploration of the Commonwealth’s past and its contributions to our nation.

History of the Canal

History of the Main Line Canal Greenway

Even after a more than two hundred years of industrial activity in its various incarnations, western Pennsylvania is still a wild and scenic place. It’s difficult to imagine what things used to be like before today’s highways, bridges, and railroads made it possible to zip from one ridge or valley to the next.

The rugged topography which proved to be well-suited for coal extraction and the steep forests with seemingly endless timber supplies were formidable obstacles of yesteryear.

The 2400-foot tall Allegheny Ridge (also called the Allegheny Front) was the most formidable of these barriers, until the era of Pennsylvania’s first major transportation improvement - the historic Pennsylvania Main Line Canal. Completed in 1834, the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal System paved the way for expansion westward from Philadelphia, across the Alleghenies to Pittsburgh, and beyond.

A way of life sprang up along this corridor as Pennsylvania prepared for a century of nation-building. Communities along the route shared a common legacy. The Pittsburgh-to-Harrisburg Main Line Canal Greenway™ is the next chapter in this story.

Get out and view the history for yourself!

For more information on Pennsylvania’s historic canals go to the PA Canal Society.


Currently, the Main Line Canal Greenway corridor is not designed as a single, long distance trail for unimpeded travel between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg. However, a network of land and water trails enable locals and visitors alike to experience portions of the Greenway, it’s landscape, communities, and historic and cultural assets.

Learn more about the Water Trails in the Main Line Canal Greenway.

Check out our Bike Trail Information.

Experience the Heritage and History of the Main Line Canal Greenway.

Have a look at the Main Line Canal Greenway Geo Trail.


Welcome to our Region of Trails!
 
Here in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Mountains, the Trans Allegheny Trails are a system of rail-trails – with attitude. Parts of them are almost level, while other sections are downright challenging. That’s part of the fun for riders who like to get their hearts pumping and don’t mind breaking a sweat.  

You don’t have to be that kind of rider to enjoy the Trans Allegheny Trails, though! Most sections are typical rail-trail (less than 3% grade) and run through some of the Alleghenies’ most beautiful scenery.

And these trails have all of the historic character of the Alleghenies themselves. You’ll see:
  • The oldest railroad tunnel in America
  • A flood-control dam
  • Iron furnaces
  • Picturesque bridges
  • Amazing stonework
  • Old tow paths
  • The watercourse of a historic flood.
This website explores all of that and more! Whether you are a hard or easy rider, you’ll find trails that suit your style. Come for a day, a weekend or a week! Tools here will help you to decide which trails to ride, build an itinerary, get directions, interactive maps and find the necessary amenities of bike shops, food and lodging.

Find a Trail


Along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail and Three Rivers Water Trail
Along the Trans Allegheny Trails and Kiski-Conemaugh Water Trail
Along the Trans Allegheny Trails and Juniata River Water Trail
Along the Susquehanna River Water Trails (Duncannon to Harrisburg)
Statewide Historic Resources
Posted by at
Labels:

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)