The Laurel Highlands

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Geography

Areas in Pennsylvania

The Laurel Highlands

Page Type: Area

Location: Pennsylvania, United States, North America

Lat/Lon: 40.22712°N / 79.2128°W

Trail Type: Cross Country, Downhill, Mountain

Season: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Page By: Judd97

Created/Edited: Nov 22, 2007 / Jun 7, 2008

Object ID: 264650

Hits: 271

Page Score: 87.34% - 5 Votes

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Table of Contents

Description

The Beam Rocks, an outcropping of rocks overlooking the rolling hills of Laurel Mountain.

The Laurel Highlands lie about 50 miles east of Pittsburgh and encompass an area of approximately 100 miles and four counties: Westmoreland, Cambria, Somerset and Fayette. The Laurel and Chestnut ridges of the Allegheny Mountains pass directly through the heart of the Laurel Highlands and include a myriad of State Parks including Linn Run, Laurel Mountain, Keystone, Kooser, Ohiopyle, Laurel Hill and Laurel Summit. The famed Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, while hiking only, is a 70 mile trail running from Ohiopyle State Park and Johnstown, PA. The Youghigheny River passes directly through the Laurel Highlands providing whitewater enthusiasts with exciting rapids ranging from Class I to V. Fishermen have many options, from the lakes of Keystone State Park or Kooser to the rivers and streams of Ohiopyle and Linn Run. Tourists flock to the area to see Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob, as well as the tragic Flight 93 crash site in Stonycreek Township.

Relief map of the Laurel Highlands region.

The Laurel Highlands are also a very popular spot for western Pennsylvanian mountain bikers. The rolling countryside and tall mountains provide a range of trails for bikers of all ability. All of the state parks in the region boast miles and miles of cross country trails which provide everything from rocky to smooth singletrack and everything in between. Seven Springs Four Season resort provides lift assisted downhill trails at their new mountain bike park, which just opened in the Fall of 2007. They have one trail open now with many more on the horizon.

The Laurel Highlands are a backyard paradise for Western Pennsylvanian outdoor recreationalists. The area includes something for everyone and it provides a perfect weekend getaway from the grind in town. There are many quality bike shops in the area, including the well known Speedgoat (which sits directly in the middle of the Laurel Highlands), as well as others in Greensburg and Ohiopyle. There are numerous outfitters which will arrange and guide just about any excursion you can think of, or you can go out on your own for a self-guided adventure into the most beautiful of Penn's Woods.

Getting There

The easiest and fastest way to get to the heart of the Laurel Highlands is to simply take the PA Turnpike to the Donegal exit. From there, you can take backroads such as Rt. 711 and Rt. 30 to various spots throughout the region.

Red Tape

Many trails, such as the Laurel Highlands Trail, are for hikers only. If you are riding in a State Park or Forest, ensure that bicycles are allowed before you ride any trail.

Images