'A win for everybody': Path of the Flood Trail earns state's Trail of the Year award
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Cambria County's historic Path of the Flood Trail has been named Pennsylvania's Trail of the Year for 2025, state officials said Thursday.
The recognition "is a testament to the partnership between many individuals and organizations dedicated to preserving this rich, historical trail," Cambria County Conservation and Recreation Authority Executive Director Cliff Kitner said in a statement. "We are honored and excited to continue sharing this unique journey with all who visit."
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Trails Advisory Committee picks a Trail of the Year annually to boost awareness of the state's 14,000-mile trail network and to highlight the value of those trails to residents and visitors.
The 14-mile Path of the Flood Trail, completed in 2023, connects the ruins of the South Fork Dam near St. Michael to downtown Johnstown. It follows and commemorates the path of the 1889 Johnstown Flood that killed more than 2,200 people.
The trail receives about 80,000 visitors annually, including international guests, and is the site of the annual Path of the Flood Historic Races that average around 1,000 participants.
The crushed-stone and pavement path is accessible for a variety of activities, including hiking, birdwatching, running, cross-country skiing, biking and snowshoeing.
The scenic trail features the Staple Bend Tunnel, the first railroad tunnel in the nation, built in the 1830s. It is part of the September 11th National Memorial Trail, which connects the sites in Somerset County, Washington, D.C., and New York City where hijacked jets crashed during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
"Outdoor recreation is part of Cambria County's economy and we all rally behind it," Cambria County Commissioner Thomas Chernisky said. "This is a win for everybody."
Chernisky, a longtime trail enthusiast and supporter, thanked DCNR for the honor and Kitner and his staff for their dedication to the local trail system.
President Commissioner Scott Hunt also congratulated authority staff. Commissioner Keith Rager credited Chernisky for his support of the county's outdoor recreation opportunities for helping achieve the distinction.
"In naming the Path of the Flood Trail as the 2025 Trail of the Year, we honor its unique role in preserving history while providing a vibrant space for recreation and community engagement," DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said in a release.
"This trail is a destination, inviting visitors from across the nation and the world to experience the history of the 1889 Johnstown Flood while enjoying outdoor activities in a stunning natural setting. We hope this designation will bring even more visitors to explore the trail, supporting local businesses and fostering economic, environmental and social benefits for the region."
This is the county's and authority's second Trail of the Year award. The Ghost Town Trail received the nod from DCNR in 2020.
"Following the Ghost Town Trail's designation in 2020, the Path of the Flood Trail being named Trail of the Year marks the second time in five years that a trail in our county has received this designation," CCCRA Assistant Executive Director Caytlin Lusk said in a statement. "We are grateful to the Pennsylvania Trails Advisory Committee and DCNR for recognizing the exceptional trails that we are proud to offer here in Cambria County."
For more information about the county's trails system, visit www.cambriaconservationrecreation.com.
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