JCCA Route Library | Juniata College Cycling

Hello! Welcome to the Juniata College Cycling Assocation Route Library. Here you will find a list of our routes we use. If you click on the routes, they will expand to show a map and some more information!

Huntingdon / PA Furnace

This route has a couple different options that allow you to climb over Tussey Mountain and visit the historic Huntingdon Furnace. It is an adventerous route with large chunks on forest roads/trails.

Mileage

35-55 miles

Elevation

2800-5000 ft

Features

road

Gravel

Adventure

Directions:

GPS Link: https://ridewithGPS.com/routes/34361942https://ridewithGPS.com/routes/34421584

Directions : Head as if you were going to Petersburg. Go through the town of Petersburg and turn left onto diamond valley Rd. (towards Camp blue diamond). Follow that into the state forest. From here there a two Options:

Option 1: Continue straight and follow turns to go from Tram Rd to Colerain Rd. Take Colerain Rd over the mountain and turn right onto Route 45. From here follow below directions.

Option 2: Continue along Diamond Valley Rd to Leading Ridge Rd. back onto Diamond Valley to Furnace Rd. Follow furnace Rd. to tram Rd. and then a quick left then right onto Pennsylvania Furnace Rd. Follow that over the ridge to 45 and turn left.

Cont. Directions : Follow 45 to 350 / Warriors Mark Path Rd. Take that to Old Mill Rd / Huntingdon Furnace Rd. Follow that back to 45 and turn right to head south. From here you have two options:

Option 1: Head back via Colerain Rd (see option 1 above).

Option 2: Follow 45 South all the way to 453. (One note is that you will pass under a railroad bridge after a left turn that may not be fully apparent). Descend 453 to 22. Ride along 22 for a quarter mile to the Entrance to the rails to trails. (There is a sign for PA Bike Route S?). Turn left onto the trail to end up eventually on Alexandria pike. Turn right out of the lot and head back to Huntingdon.

Shortcut: Instead of Traveling along 45 to Huntingdon furnace you can just go south along 45.

Vistas : There are multiple vistas along this route. 3 of them are along the path (2 on Colerain Rd., 1 on PA furnace). The 4th vista is off a side trail along Colerain Rd (after the top of the hill). There will be a side trail marked with Yellow Blazes. There is a small 1-2 car lot on the left side of the road. The trail is on the right with a couple of boulders to mark it.

Car safety: Along this route, there is no shoulder, so you must assert your position on the road. There are plenty of straight sections for cars to safely pass you but be cautious if you are stopped or slowly moving on curves – STAY VISIBLE. Be careful of cars traveling along the forest roads.

Route Description / landmarks: This is a very challenging route with a lot of elevation gain and limited water or public access. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE WATER, FOOD, FIRST AID, AND REPAIR KITS. It is very possible to do the entire forest section without seeing another person and service is very spotty. Additionally, PA Furnace Rd is closed to motor vehicles and is very rough terrain. I recommend at least 50+oz of water with at least half being a hydration mix. That being said, this is a very fun ride with some amazing views (especially during the fall).

Training Tips: Try to do the hills without stopping. Focus on your nutrition. Focus on controlling the bike on the gravel.

Route Name	Description	Mileage	Elevation	Features
Huntingdon / PA Furnace	This route has a couple different options that allow you to climb over Tussey Mountain and visit the historic Huntingdon Furnace. It is an adventerous route with large chunks on forest roads/trails.	35-55 miles	2800-5000 ft	road Gravel Adventure
Directions: GPS Link: https://ridewithGPS.com/routes/34361942https://ridewithGPS.com/routes/34421584 Directions : Head as if you were going to Petersburg. Go through the town of Petersburg and turn left onto diamond valley Rd. (towards Camp blue diamond). Follow that into the state forest. From here there a two Options: Option 1: Continue straight and follow turns to go from Tram Rd to Colerain Rd. Take Colerain Rd over the mountain and turn right onto Route 45. From here follow below directions. Option 2: Continue along Diamond Valley Rd to Leading Ridge Rd. back onto Diamond Valley to Furnace Rd. Follow furnace Rd. to tram Rd. and then a quick left then right onto Pennsylvania Furnace Rd. Follow that over the ridge to 45 and turn left. Cont. Directions : Follow 45 to 350 / Warriors Mark Path Rd. Take that to Old Mill Rd / Huntingdon Furnace Rd. Follow that back to 45 and turn right to head south. From here you have two options: Option 1: Head back via Colerain Rd (see option 1 above). Option 2: Follow 45 South all the way to 453. (One note is that you will pass under a railroad bridge after a left turn that may not be fully apparent). Descend 453 to 22. Ride along 22 for a quarter mile to the Entrance to the rails to trails. (There is a sign for PA Bike Route S?). Turn left onto the trail to end up eventually on Alexandria pike. Turn right out of the lot and head back to Huntingdon. Shortcut: Instead of Traveling along 45 to Huntingdon furnace you can just go south along 45. Vistas : There are multiple vistas along this route. 3 of them are along the path (2 on Colerain Rd., 1 on PA furnace). The 4th vista is off a side trail along Colerain Rd (after the top of the hill). There will be a side trail marked with Yellow Blazes. There is a small 1-2 car lot on the left side of the road. The trail is on the right with a couple of boulders to mark it. Car safety: Along this route, there is no shoulder, so you must assert your position on the road. There are plenty of straight sections for cars to safely pass you but be cautious if you are stopped or slowly moving on curves – STAY VISIBLE. Be careful of cars traveling along the forest roads. Route Description / landmarks: This is a very challenging route with a lot of elevation gain and limited water or public access. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE WATER, FOOD, FIRST AID, AND REPAIR KITS. It is very possible to do the entire forest section without seeing another person and service is very spotty. Additionally, PA Furnace Rd is closed to motor vehicles and is very rough terrain. I recommend at least 50+oz of water with at least half being a hydration mix. That being said, this is a very fun ride with some amazing views (especially during the fall). Training Tips: Try to do the hills without stopping. Focus on your nutrition. Focus on controlling the bike on the gravel.