I used the Clarion Highlands Trail as a portion of an otherwise paved route between Franklin, PA and Marianne/Shippenville, PA, where I then jumped on the Rail 66 Country Trail, part of the Knox and Kane Trail system. This trip also utilized the Samuel Justice and Sandy Creek trails.
About the Clarion Highlands Trail: The CHT is best suited to those on bikes with wider tires (47 mm+) running at lower pressures (< 45 psi). Gravel or mountain bikes with climbing gears are appropriate options. This would be a relatively flat trail if not for one major, hilly road detour, and some sketchy, steep approaches to/from road crossings.
This trail is on the same former railroad line shared by the Sandy Creek and Knox and Kane trails. Some maps show a direct connection between the eastern trailhead of the SCT and CHT at US-322. This doesn’t exist due to private property issues and you need to use short rides on Torklin Hill Rd and 322 to rejoin the rail alignment east of 322.
Starting at 322, the trail ramps down to the original railbed and continues as a gravel access road from here to Kline Rd. This section is mostly in deep woods and you’ll occasionally encounter some gas/oil infrastructure along the way. This surface is a mix of fine to medium gravel (mostly).
The railbed between Kline and Camp Hoffman Roads is on private property an is not accessible to trail users. Instead, you must detour north or south on roads. The northern route using Kline to Camp Hoffman seemed a better bet when we were heading east, avoiding a very long, steep climb heading south to 322 on Kline (VERY steep, up to 20% in places). There was still one steep gravel road climb (a quarter mile, up to 8% in places) to start this northern detour, but thereafter the roads were hilly, but not awful (4-5%) for a somewhat experienced rider. When we were westbound, we used the southern route, climbing up to 322 (a couple of short, steep sections of 10-11% for a few hundred feet each, but mostly 6%), riding on 322, then descending rapidly on Kline. This avoided a mile-long uphill section on Camp Hoffman Road on the northern detour (5% to 17% at the top when you're already pooped). The overall elevation gain on the northern route is higher, but the friendlier grades negate that. We were carrying camping gear, so we hike-a-biked up the first short hill in each direction.
The trail devolves to a worn doubletrack east of Camp Hoffman Rd. The surface varies from smooth medium gravel to puddles, wash-outs, and transversely-placed rock slabs (the now-exposed and protruding, original sub-base layer of the railbed). At Fern Rd, detouring to the adjacent 322 is wise much of the year. The sunken rail cut between Fern and Walt Kahle Roads is prone to flooding, as is the muddy access from Fern Rd. Past Walt Kahle, the trail resumes the rough mix of surfaces mentioned above. The rideable trail ends at Station Rd. The section past here is mostly grass and seems to receive minimal maintenance. There doesn’t seem to be a parking option here, or at the 322 terminus either, for that matter.
Future connections between Station Rd and the Knox and Kane Trail at Rt 66 are planned, but some obstacles remain. The former trestle over 322 is gone and ramps or a long, new bridge will be needed to allow crossing of this busy highway. Once south of 322 the railbed crosses another abandoned line that is in the K&K alignment. There is an historic trestle over Deer Creek that will need to be restored or replaced to cross that valley at a fairly high elevation. And finally, some private land needs to be accessed at either end of this connector. *For now, anyone wishing to connect to the K&K Trail needs to ride along the shoulders of 322, where a few long hills can be an issue. When westbound, I found that remaining on 322 past Station Rd to Knight Town Rd eliminated some steeper climbs on Station. Instead, you deal with a mere 2-3% on 322, and Knight Town is flattish (a few smaller, short hills).
Riding the Franklin to Marienville Route: We started at Riverfront Park in Franklin after notifying the police chief that we’d be leaving the car for several nights. He was very accommodating. The bridge over the Allegheny can be crossed via a sidewalk that then connects down to the asphalt Samuel Justus Recreational Trail along the river. We headed south to the junction with the Sandy Creek Trail via stairs. Loaded bikes will need to be at least partially unloaded here, as the ramp alongside the stairs is primitive and slick. The Sandy Creek Trail is also paved and terminates at Torklin Hill Rd near US-322. You’ll need to descend to 322 via a decomposing paved road (gravel and remains of asphalt), then ride up 322 to intercept the continuing rail alignment. This is the gravel Clarion Highlands Trail. Some road detours are described above, as is the route to Marianne from the end of the trail at Station Rd. After a few miles on 322, the Rail 66 Country Trail begins just south of the intersection of 322 and 66 and continues as a paved route all the way to Marienville, and another mile beyond. Travel further northeast is on double track and roads, eventually meeting up with another finished trail sections that will begin at Sheffield Junction Rd and end at the Kinzua Bridge. Our route ended about 6 miles NE of Marienville at a campground.
Amenities: •Other than a couple of Port-a-Johns on the Samuel Justus Trail, there are NO water, food or restroom options from Franklin to Marianne. Come prepared with what you need for 33-35 miles of unsupported riding. •One possible exception to the above comment is Hirsch Meats (also a convenience store) on 322 between Kline and Camp Hoffman Roads (the section where detours on roads occurs). You can only access this via steep climbs on those roads. That detour is less exhausting going west.
There are much better options on the Knox and Kane Trail (Rail 66 Country Trail). •Camping: Rustic Acres RV Park near the junction of 322 and 66., Forest Lodge and Campground about 6 miles NE of Marienville (0.5 miles from the route further NE). •Food: Trails to Ales Brewery in Franklin, Sweet Basil Italian, Dairy Queen and Country Fair are food options near the 322/66 junction. Lost in the Wilds Brewery is only 1.5 miles from the southern trailhead at 66. DB’s Smokin’ Barbeque is accessible from the trail where is crosses Griebel Dr., The Leeper Red and White Market has lots of grocery options and takeout food including breakfast sandwiches before 10:30 AM and deli sandwiches later., Sportman’s Paradise is a bar and grill about 0.2 miles off the trail., Kelly Hotel/Shamrock Restaurant and Bar in Marienville has simple faire and basic beer options. There is an Italian restaurant nearby next to a wine store (for BYOB). There are a couple or Dollar-type stores in town. Further NE of town, as you cross the gates for the local state prison, there is a Kwik Fill gas station across 66 that has sandwiches (breakfast, etc.) and other convenience store options. •Hotels: Quality Inn and Suites in Franklin, MJ Inn and Suites is a hotel SW of downtown Marienville that can be easily accessed via Oak Lane and 66 by some light trespassing across a lawn (a few dozen feet off the trail). •Restrooms: There are a few Port-a-Johns scattered along the trail for Marienville to Marianne.
Other Trail Connections: You can continue northeast on the Knox and Kane Trail past Marienville, but there are some road detours needed as the trail is not developed from Byromtown Rd to Sheffield Junction Rd (both intersect 66). Watson Farm Rd, 1005, and Sheffield Junction Rd (coarse gravel) are the best way to avoid most travel on 66. These also follow the future trail route which is currently overgrown.
Near Franklin, it is possible to travel north and south on the Samuel Justus Trail (and connecting trails) to Oil City or Parker (parts of the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail System). Some hilly road sections continue to more trails in either direction.