Bells Gap Trail

There’s more than one way to climb the Allegheny Front! The Bells Gap Trail follows a meandering right-of-way that enabled the Bells Gap Railroad to climb the Front on a grade of 4% or less as early as the 1850s. Today the 6.3-mile trail provides some outstanding views of eastern ridges, the Tuckahoe Valley and Bellwood Reservoir while crossing pretty little mountain streams before ending its climb in Lloydsville.

Trail Description

At four percent, the Bells Gap Trail provides a moderately challenging but beautiful ride. After leaving the trailhead just north of Bellwood Borough, the trail parallels Route 865 and passes the scenic Bellwood Reservoir. After 2.1 miles, the tree-lined crushed limestone surface ends, but the trail extends for another 4.2 miles on Pennsylvania State Game Land access road that tends to be packed dirt, with a grassy median and occasional gravel fill. The Bells Gap Trail terminates in the village of Lloydsville at the top of Blandburg Mountain, but there’s no trailhead there.

Trailheads

Challenges

Bells Gap Trail climbs through a gap in the Allegheny Front at a grade of no more than 4%.
The PA Game Lands access road is unimproved and occasionally provides a rougher riding surface.
With only one trailhead, Bells Gap Trail offers an out-and-back ride of 12.6 miles.