Tuna Valley Trail Association

Enjoying Natural Beauty – 40 + miles of Trails

 
The Tuna Valley Trail Association (TVTA) is a local grassroots organization dedicated to the preservation, enhancement, and linking of the natural corridors throughout the Tuna Valley. Objectives are to promote multiple uses of these corridors into an integrated system of pedestrian, hiking, biking and jogging trails – all for the betterment of residents and visitors alike to enjoy the historic, scenic and natural beauty of the area.
 
Over 40+ miles of trails have been built and are maintained by this all volunteer organization. Trails link from Bradford, PA, to the Allegheny National Forest, and to the Allegany State Park in NY. Trails are suitable for hiking, backpacking, biking, fat-biking, and cross-country skiing. All trails are non-motorized.
 

Trail events include the Marilla Winter Trek, We Gotta Regatta and the Marilla Trail Race in the fall. Click for info on events or email info@tunavalleytrail.com
 

Tuna Valley Trails

 
Blaisdell-Emery Trail – A 3.8 Mile trail for bicycling and easy walking. The trail begins at the trailhead located on Owens Way in South Bradford and ends on Main Street Lewis Run. The trail is a crushed stone surface and travels beneath the 219 underpass, and over bridges near Minard Run and Browntown Road. This trail is rated easy.
 
Bullis Hollow – An 8.3-mile trail within the Allegheny National Forest that connects to the Marilla Springs Trail at the upper trailhead. The east end access is via Marilla Bridges and Marilla Springs Trails. Alternately it may be by Forest Road 173. Limited parking is available at the road’s junction with FR 173H. Difficulty level is rated moderate to difficult.
 

Community Parks Trail – A 3.3-mile urban loop trail which connects the Richard McDowell Community Trail at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, to the Kessel Athletic Complex, to Callahan Park, then on into Hanley Park in downtown Bradford. Trail includes an 8-piece exercise area for adults and children. Trailhead parking along Campus Drive at McDowell Trailhead and Davis Street at Hanley Park in Bradford. Difficulty level is rated easy.
 
Crook Farm Trail – A 1.2-mile hiking trail along the banks of the scenic Tunungwant Creek, located just north of the City of Bradford. From the north travel PA 219 to Foster Brook Exit, turn right, turn right at the light, 1 mile on the right. The trail head is located at the Crook Farm Homestead, a heritage site that features a one-room schoolhouse and restored farmhouse from the 19th century. This trail is rated easy in difficulty.
 

Cornelius Connection at Gilbert Reservoir – A 2.4-mile linear trail which spans from Marilla to Gilbert Reservoir. This dirt path trail, through mixed hardwood forest is perfect for backwoods hiking. This non-groomed trail is great for snowshoeing in the winter. Trailheads are located near both Reservoirs. From Bradford, take Rt. 346 west for five miles and park at Marilla Reservoir. Difficulty level is moderate.
 
Hidden Valley Passage – This 1.5-mile section is a railroad grade dating back to the 1800s. Part of the Marilla Trail network, the lower end of the trail begins directly behind the Indian Pipe trailhead kiosk, five miles west of Bradford along Rt. 346. Difficulty level is rated easy to moderate.
 
Indian Pipe Trail – This 7.4-mile non-motorized trail crosses 4,000 acres of Allegheny Northern Hardwood Forest under the stewardship of the Bradford Water Authority. A multitude of flora and fauna species can be observed from this trail including the Indian Pipe Flower (Monotropa Uniflora) after which it is named. This is a good trail for bicycling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing as well as hiking, as it is mostly on roads and is wide and smooth. Travel PA 346 west of Bradford five miles, trail head access is to the right. Difficulty level is moderate.
 

Marilla Bridges Trail – A 1 mile loop trail with forest and water vistas. Highlights include the Erik Benjamin Covered Bridge which spans the spillway of the Marilla Reservoir, three rustic wooden trestle bridges, and a delightful gazebo located at the southwest corner of the trail. Non-motorized use only. The trail head is located along Rt. 346, five miles west of the City of Bradford. Difficulty is rated easy.
 
Marilla Overlook Trail – A gentle 0.75-mile connector trail from Marilla Ridge Road to White Pine Trail. The trail ends at a small clearing overlooking Marilla Reservoir. The reservoir is visible in winter but may be obscured at other times. Rated easy.
 
Marilla Rocks Trail – A 2.0-mile loop off a logging road that is accessible from Rt. 346. Blue
diamonds mark the trail that leads to the rock formations, continue following the diamonds for a loop back to the logging road. Trailhead parking is near the gate on Rt. 346, approximately two miles from the Marilla Reservoir, on the left-hand side of the road if traveling west. Difficulty level is rated moderate to difficult.
 
Marilla Springs Trail – This 3.6-mile trail is a slightly more aggressive trail experience from the avid hiker and mountain biker. The trail begins at the southwest corner of the Marilla Bridges Trail. The limestone surfaced trail offers progressive changes in direction and elevation paralleling Marilla Springs at its point of origin. Difficulty level is rated moderate to difficult.
 
Richard McDowell Community Trail – A 1.4 mile 10-ft wide paved surface trail meanders along the west branch of the Tunungwant Creek. The trail features include three bridges, five raised walkways and a variety of natural vistas. Trail access is via Campus Drive, close to the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Difficulty level is easy.
 
White Pine Trail – 3-mile loop, past towering, old growth white pines. Entrance to the trail is at the confluence of Marilla Brook and Lean-to-Run from the Marilla Bridges Trail, follow the run upstream to the white pines. Difficulty level is rated moderate.
 

Become a Member

For more information on how to become a member,
please contact us at:

Tuna Valley Trail Association
24 Kennedy Street
PO Box 1003
Bradford, PA 16701
info@tunavalleytrail.com

www.tunavalleytrail.com
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