About the Trail
The Indian Creek Valley Trail runs along Indian Creek, on the former railway of the Indian Creek Valley Railroad. There are 14 miles of finished trail. It is open all year for walking, cycling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. (ATVs are not allowed.)
Our goal is to develop the entire 19 miles of the former railroad into a bike, hike, and ski trail. We ultimately plan to join the ICV Trail with the Great Allegheny Passage.
For general trail issues, contact taylor@mtwatershed.com or call 724-455-4200 ext #5.
Call Saltlick Township at 724-455-2866 about the trail from Indian Head to County Line Road. The Township plows this section in the winter.
History
- The Indian Creek Valley Railroad was built in 1906 to move lumber.
- By 1910, 19 miles of railroad were complete from Jones Mills to the Youghiogheny River.
- The tracks passed through the small towns of Champion, Melcroft, Indian Head and Mill Run. Trains carried passengers, lumber, and coal from local mines.
- After the timber and coal industries started to decline, the rail line officially shut down in 1975.
- But the memory of the mines remained, along with their lasting environmental impact in the form of abandoned mine drainage.
- In 1976, the railroad donated the 22-mile right-of-way to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. This became the underlying structure of today’s Indian Creek Valley Trail.
Current Trail Projects
Closing Trail Gaps
We're working to open an additional 2.5 miles of Indian Creek Valley Trail between Whites Bridge (which intersects with Route 653) and Steyer Bridge. If you'd like to support the trail, please consider donating to our trail maintenance fund!
Indian Creek Valley Trail News
Would you like to volunteer for the ICVT?
If you are interested in volunteering your time for trail maintenance, construction, fundraising, or information tabling, please contact our Conservation & Recreation Manger, Taylor Robbins, at taylor@mtwatershed.com or call 724-455-4200 ext 5# and leave your contact information.