The Alleghenies Unveils New Multiuse Trail System

The Alleghenies announces the grand opening of the Allegrippis Trail System on May 9. Working in partnership with the Army Corps of Engineers and the International Mountain Bicycling Association's Trail Solutions, the Friends of Raystown Lake and other trail contracting firms have built more than 30 miles of single track at Raystown Lake.

 

The Allegrippis stacked loop trail system is open to all users including hikers, trail runners, nature observers and even cross country skiers and snowshoers in the winter. Also, mountain bikers will be drawn to the trail design features that include a great flow, as well as a choice of multiple route options.

 

Overall, the trail system, with a total of 23 trails, is oriented much like a ski resort with a range of difficulty from green defined as "easiest" or family-friendly to blue designated as "moderate" providing more challenges including roots and rocks to black defined as "most difficult" including great elevation changes, longer distances and more trail obstacles.

 

This is one of IMBA's single biggest trail system builds ever -- for trail mileage and the number of trails. It's considered a model trail system by IMBA and there is future consideration to become an IMBA Ride Center.

 

"When the project started, it was a 'build it and they will come' proposition. Now there's a bike shop in town, and the Raystown Mountain Bike Association, which didn't exist 18 months ago, has more than 30 active members," said Frank Maguire IMBA Mid-Atlantic Region Director. "Interest in the Allegrippis is already spreading beyond the regional level. This is going to have a huge impact on the economy in the area."

 

"To date, more than 100 volunteers have donated more than 2,300 volunteer hours toward the construction and maintenance of the Allegrippis Trail System," said Ron Rabena, President FORL. "The end result is a unique trail system that will benefit the region and community for years to come, including an additional estimated $1.2 million in annual revenue into Huntingdon County."

 

For more information, visit The Alleghenies website.