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Tracy Ridge Hiking Trail

Wander beneath the oak trees on the 33.69 mile long Tracy Ridge Hiking Trail. Explore small groves of hemlock along the streams. Slopes along the reservoir and the eight small streams in the area are steep. Rock ledges and large boulders can be found on the steeper hillsides.

The trail begins at 2,245 feet on the flat ridge-top at Tracy Ridge Recreation Area, takes visitors through the Allegheny National Recreation Area before passing by the Allegheny Reservoir at multiple locations.

Specific Trail Information

Trail Number

85236

Trail Type

Standard/Terra Trail — A trail that has a surface consisting predominantly of the ground and that is designed and managed to accommodate use on that surface.

General Information

January - December

Drinking Water is available at the trailhead

Restrictions

  • Motorized vehicles
  • ATVs
  • mountain biking
  • snowmobiles
  • saddle, pack or draft animals
  • Camping is allowed next to the trail

As a visitor to the National Forest, you are asked to follow certain rules designed to protect the Forest, natural resources and to provide for public safety of visitors. These rules are available to you on-line or at any office of the Allegheny National Forest. Please take time to read and understand them. General Topic orders apply across the Forest. 

Applicable Orders for this Site:

  • Occupancy Limits

Getting There

Directions

From Bradford

  • Travel on Route 346 for 13.9 miles.
  • Turn left on PA-321 S.
  • Travel south on PA-321 for 3 miles.
  • The site is on the right.

Additional Information

Operated By

USDA Forest Service

Nearby Recreation Sites

Recreation Opportunities

Day Hikes Info

This is a 33.69 mile (54.52 kilometer) trail system of interconnecting loops. The trail is marked with off-white markers. The North Country Trail portion of this trail system is marked with blue markers.

Segment lengths vary from 0.13 miles to the longest segment of over 5 miles. There are two trailheads for Tracy Ridge, one in the Tracy Ridge Recreation Area on Forest Road 270. The other is the Johnny Cake Trailhead on Forest Road 321. The northernmost trailhead for the North Country National Scenic Trail is located near Willow Bay Recreation Area on Forest Road 346, it's a 3.96 mile hike from that trailhead to where the North Country Trail intersects with the Tracy Ridge Trail.

Backpacking Info

The trail is marked with off-white markers. The North Country Trail portion of this trail system is marked with blue markers. Dispersed camping is permitted along the trail. The developed Tracy Ridge Campground and primitive areas of Handsome Lake and Hopewell are along the trail. If you chose to camp along the trail and are not in one of the above mentioned locations, a Forest Order requires that camps be set up 1500 feet from the treeline of the reservoir.

XC Skiing/Snowshoeing Info

Multiple use trail for hiking, X-C skiing and snow shoeing.

Viewing Scenery Info

There are several locations along the trail that provide excellent views of the reservoir and surrounding forest.

Viewing Wildlife Info

This is an excellent area for viewing wildlife.

When you see wildlife, please remember:

  • never feed wildlife
  • don't interfere with mating, predation or other natural behaviors.
  • keep a respectful distance
  • preserve habitat by following "leave no trace" principles.
  • leave young wildlife where you find them.

If you think you've found a sick or injured animal please call the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

For information on fishing regulations and season visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission website.

Recreation Groups

Last updated June 23rd, 2025