Great Allegheny Passage Hike 29

Perryopolis to West Newton

This leg of the trail passes by ruins associated with the coal mining that made this area famous. Stop and check out the remains and try to imagine what it was like to work underground for a living. Now that the coal is gone, towns like Smithton cling to life. For the train fan, West Newton is a great place for photos. Trains come right through town, barely clearing old buildings.

 

Trip Planner

Start: Perryopolis
End: West Newton
Miles: 12.0
Points of Interest: Perryopolis, Whitsett: Banning #1 Mine, Smithton, West Newton
Parking: Perryopolis (0.0 mi.), Whitsett (1.7 mi.), Smithton (6.0 mi.), Cedar Creek Park (8.5 mi.), West Newton (12.0 mi.)
Water: Cedar Creek Park
Restroom or Privy: Cedar Creek Park
Provisions: Cedar Creek Park, West Newton
Camping: None

 

Hike Data

Mile	Navigation
0	Perryopolis. Town is 1.5 miles uphill to left.
1.7	Whitsett. Former company town and now a National Historic Site.
3.7	Banning Trestle.
3.8	Banning #1 Mine.
6.0	Smithton.
8.5	Cedar Creek Park. There is a snack bar and picnic area here.
12.0	West Newton. The headquarters for the Youghiogheny River Trail is in the lower office beneath the Rite Aid store. It is located one block left of trail. Maps, T-shirtss and trail accessories are available.

 

Explore the PHT

West Newton
There are lots of shops and restaurants here. The iron bridge crossing the river is vintage early 20th century. The now-closed radiator factory was once a paper mill, but the water here contained too much acid, so the mill moved to Markleton. A renaissance festival is held here each August. If you need a layover day this is the place.