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Reported: October 2023

Sheepskin Trail...

Developing Rail-trail in Pennsylvania

The Sheepskin Trail is a work in progress, eventually planned to total 34 miles from the link with West Virginia's Mon River Trail network near Point Marion, PA, to the Great Allegheny Passage near Connellsville. About 7.5 miles are currently complete in three sections at Point Marion, South Union Township, and Dunbar. This is a rail-trail, utilizing old railroad corridors. (Detailed map and photos below.)

Biking Map...
Sheepskin Trail

View Larger Map

Location: Fayette County, PA (Point Marion to Connellsville) (See map)
Distance: 34 miles when complete, currently 7.5 miles in 3 sections
Surface: Crushed stone and asphalt

Support and Advocacy:
Friends of the Sheepskin Trail

Bike Shops/Rentals:: N/A

Biking the Sheepskin Trail... Comments and Photos

The three sections of trail:

1. At Point Marion (see below), two sections of trail total about 3 miles, on crushed gravel.
2. The South Union Township and Uniontown sections are about 2.5 miles, paved.
3. From Dunbar the trail is crushed gravel, running 2 miles to the Great Allegheny Passage near Connellsville.

We biked the Mon River Trail-North from Morgantown, WV, then continued on the Sheepskin Trail to Point Marion.

Point Marion Section (1.75 miles)

Mon River Trail (WV) to Point Marion Park (PA)

From the Mon River Trail at the state line, the trail follows the Monongahela River and passes the Point Marion Lock and Dam . The trail here is crushed gravel, easy to ride, running through woodlands along the Monongahela River. Entering Point Marion, the trail emerges from the woods and homes appear. After crossing Fifth Avenue the trail runs between S. Main and Jeannette Sts., arriving at Point Marion Park and trailhead.

Trail at Point Marion

Point Marion Park also serves as a trailhead, with parking, restrooms, picnicking, playground, and playing fields. The trail continues, paralleling Railroad Ave. into central Point Marion and crossing a couple streets. We ended our ride at Penn St. as it was getting late and we needed to ride back to Morgantown. However, the Sheepskin Trail continues a couple more blocks to the Cheat River. A new 1.4 mile section of trail (which we also did not visit) crosses the Cheat River then follows the river paralleling Nilan Road.

Some History

The rail line was built in the 1890's as a branch of the B&O Railroad to support the coal and coke industries in the region. Some coke ovens still remain along the route. It's said the railroad came to be known as the Sheepskin Line because sheep were scattered by the trains, with herders complaining about the “darn Sheepskinners.”

More Information and Resources

More Biking:
Morgantown (WV) Area Trails
Great Allegheny Passage

Bike-Pennsylvania - More bike trails and information about biking in Pennsylvania

Related Resources:
National Road Heritage Corridor (NRHC) - The Sheepskin Trail
Sheepskin Trail