The achievement represents years of planning, fundraising, construction, and volunteer effort by multiple organizations dedicated to preserving and expanding the former Knox & Kane Railroad corridor for public recreation.

The leadership of two trail associations, the Trail Association of the McKean/Elk Divide (TAMED) and the Mount Jewett to Kinzua Bridge (MJ2KB) Trail Club, has been central to this accomplishment. Together, the two organizations have transformed a railroad right-of-way into a destination for hikers, cyclists, runners, snowshoers and cross-country skiers.

TAMED has been responsible for developing and maintaining the central section of the trail through the Kane area and towards the Forest County line. The organization has worked steadily since 2017 to close gaps, improve trail surfaces, refurbish bridges, and create a safe and accessible recreational corridor. The completion of this connection now allows users to travel continuously from the Forest County line through Elk and into McKean County to the Kinzua Bridge State Park.

Equally important has been the work of the MJ2KB Trail Club, whose stewardship of the northern section helped establish one of Pennsylvania’s premier rail-trail experiences. The club maintains the trail from Route 219 near Lantz Corners through Mount Jewett and on to Kinzua Bridge State Park. Its efforts earned statewide recognition when the Mount Jewett to Kinzua Bridge Trail was named Pennsylvania’s 2023 Trail of the Year.

“Seeing this northern half of the trail completed through our communities is a significant accomplishment. What started as a feasibility study in 2010, now is implemented as a regional trail. There are 61 of the 74 total miles of the Knox & Kane Rail Trail open for use, and the last 13 miles have groups actively seeking funding to make the final connection, closing the trail gap in Forest County. I am very thankful for the dedicated volunteers and donors to our TAMED group. Their time and resources have made this vision a reality!”

The completed corridor offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the forests, wildlife habitat, and history of the Pennsylvania Wilds while connecting communities across the region. The trail also serves as a gateway to Kinzua Bridge State Park and the Kinzua Skywalk, one of Pennsylvania’s most recognizable outdoor attractions.

The completed trail is a vital addition to the tourism and hospitality industry in Kane, Mount Jewett and McKean County. “The ability to jump on the trail in Kane and ride a bike to the Kinzua Bridge State Park will be a boon to outdoor recreation in the area, “said Ben Miller, owner of Kane Outfitters, a bike sales and rental company in Kane.

Trail supporters note that the accomplishment would not have been possible without the dedication of hundreds of volunteers, local municipalities, county officials, state agencies, private landowners, and donors who supported the project over many years.

The completion of the corridor stands as a testament to what can be achieved through regional cooperation and volunteer leadership. For TAMED and the MJ2KB Trail Club, the project fulfills a vision of reconnecting communities through outdoor recreation while preserving an important piece of the region’s railroad heritage.

As trail users make their way from the Forest County line to the iconic Kinzua Bridge, they will be traveling a corridor built not only on former railroad ties, but also on decades of community commitment and perseverance.

The TAMED group will continue to maintain the trail and finalize a few gates still needed in the new section.

For more information go to https://www.tamedkkrt.org.