Featured Ride: Allegrippis Trails at Raystown Lake, Pennsylvania

It’s Dirt Rag Dirt Fest week! So, of course, our featured ride is all of the rad rippin’ Allegrippis Trails of Raystown Lake in central Pennsylvania, which play host every year to our wild and crazy mountain bike festival. The Allegrippis Trails are mountain bike-optimized, so expect routes that contour and roll with bermed turns and lots of flow. In other words, expect a lot of fun!

First up is the 8.5-mile Raystown South Loop, which is for you if you’re looking for a little adventure or a bit of solitude. Located on the south side of Seven Points Road, the route—pedaled in a counter-clockwise direction—has big climbs and descents, dense forest and a backcountry feel. This route includes one of the black-diamond trails in the system: Allegheny. It has a far-away, woodsy feel with steep climbs and descents throughout thick forest. You’ll feel like you’re in a jungle at times as the lush vegetation closes in around you.

From the South Loop, jump on the 2.3-mile Stony Trail, an intermediate, sometimes rocky ride, to traverse to the north side of the Raystown trail system (parking lots are located on each end of Stony, providing easy access to both sides of the trail system). From there, you can jump on any number of easy trails for a casual cruise, or try to crush all 20-ish miles on the north side.

The 8.7-mile Deer Trails and Hydro Loop offers a taste of the north side. It’s a great route if you only have a little bit of time but want to hit some of the highlights of the Allegrippis trails. This ride will get you right down to lake level and make you pay on the return to the parking lot. Expect lots of fast flowy sections, and plan to stop and take in the view of the water on Hydro loop.

Photos courtesy of MTB Project