The Old PA Pike

06/18/2026

Grafitti on the TOPP Trail is illegal. It is a constant battle for us. Please see before and after pics, and resist the urge to bring cans of spray paint. Bring a Kate’s bar and bottle of water (carry in and carry out) and enjoy the experience.

06/16/2026

Thank you Bubblehead George for a very accurate post regarding the Sideling Hill Tunnel. Several important items to note. It is open dawn to dusk; closed at night. Only hiking and cycling allowed (pedal assist ebikes permitted). Stay on the former travel lanes. Make sure you have good lights. Be aware of hazards in the tunnels themselves and avoid the very hazardous conditions at the tunnel entrances. Note that the Sideling Hill Tunnel is nearly a mile from the Old Cove Plaza Trailhead, and the Rays Hill Tunnel is nearlty 1.5 miles from the Breezewood trailhead. The former turnpile road surfaces are rough and require diligence on the part of users.

06/05/2026

The BFJRA was recently awarded a $1,000 grant from Valley Rural Electric Cooperative for improvements at the Pump Station Road entrance. Read more at ... https://www.theoldpapike.com/posts/vrec-grent-for-pump-station-road-improvements-2026-06-01

05/30/2026

Thank you for helping to make TOPP trail safer 🤗

05/27/2026

Sounds like fun.

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05/27/2026

Congrats to Buchanan State Forest on its award as forest of the year from PA Parks and Forest Foundation. 😇😎

04/21/2026

blob:https://workdrive.zoho.com/af9022f7-c1b2-4ce3-b5e2-8Friends of The Old PA Pike Trail
101 Lincoln Way West, Suite 100
McConnellsburg, PA 17233 www.friendsoftopptrail.org

Dear Prospective Supporter,

On behalf of Friends of The Old PA Pike Trail, we invite you to join us in a unique opportunity to preserve and transform a piece of Pennsylvania’s history. Our organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to the development, maintenance, and preservation of the historic Old PA Pike (TOPP) Trail.

As we move forward with infrastructure improvements and preservation efforts, we are seeking partners who share our vision for creating a premier recreational and historical asset for our community. Your support is vital to ensuring this landmark remains a vibrant resource for generations to come.

We gratefully welcome contributions in several forms:

● Cash Equivalents: Financial donations provide the flexibility needed for immediate project funding, matching state and federal grants, and general operational support.
● Donations in Kind: We highly value contributions of professional services, equipment, construction materials, or specialized labor. These "in-kind" gifts are invaluable in helping our resources go significantly further.

Tax Benefits of Your Gift
As a registered 501(c)(3) organization, your contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Beyond the tax benefits, your support represents a direct investment in local history, regional tourism, and outdoor recreation.

Make an Impact Today!
To make a secure financial contribution online, please scan the QR code above. If you are interested in discussing an in-kind donation, a professional partnership, or a larger corporate sponsorship, please reach out to us at [email protected]

Thank you for your consideration and for your commitment to the heritage of The Old PA Pike Trail. Sincerely,
The Board of Directors
Friends of The Old PA Pike Trail

A Registered Pennsylvania 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Corporation and Public Charity.

04/20/2026

Update on BFJRA. Lot's happening.
Contribute at https://www.theoldpapike.com/about/friends

April 15, 2026

Bedford Fulton Joint Recreation Authority Status Report

Trail Resurfacing:
Navarro and Wright continue to work through PennDOT’s project planning process with a fall bid goal in sight, and construction in 2027.

BFJRA is seeking approval for EADS, its selection as the construction inspection consultant.

This project is funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission through PennDOT as a local roads project, and by DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnership Program (C2P2) as a trail improvement project ($750,000)

Tunnel Engineering Assessment and Master Plan:
BFJRA has signed contract with HDR, Inc for this project funded by DCED’s Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program (GTRP) and DCNR’s C2P2 program.

The project has a December 2026 completion date (~$250,000)

Future Trail Resurfacing:
BFJRA has applied for a Local Share Account -Statewide grant to complete TOPP Trail’s surface. If successful, this grant will require additional funds. BFJRA will seek a revised estimate for the amount needed after bids are receive for the first phase of trail resurfacing this fall (Requested ~$680,000)

Redevelopment Assistance Capitalization Program ($5 million):
The amounts authorized under this program will expire in October 2027. The tunnel engineering assessment and plan will be complete in December 2026. It may be possible to put together cost estimates and find funds to implement recommendations. We will need a federal funds match and staff to take advantage.

Vegetation Management Program:
BFJRA has signed a contract with a forestry management consultant to develop a vegetation management plan for the area between the Breezewood parking lot and the west end of the Ray’s Hill Tunnel. The plan will identify ways to control invasive species, provide shade for the trail, and protect trees for future timber harvesting. This project is funded by the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies. It has August 30, 2026, end date (3,000).

Local Share Account grant:
BFJRA received a LSA state-wide grant to purchase a small tractor with mowing deck and front-end loader. We expect the signed contract soon in time to acquire the machine for this mowing season (~$30,000).

Our Mission: The Old PA Pike Trail is more than just old road and tunnels, it’s a piece of our history! Friends of the Old PA Pike Trail is on a mission to help keep this unique Bedford and Fulton County treasure safe, scenic, and open for everyone. Can you help us reach the next mile marker

04/20/2026

On Thursday, the Pennsylvania Turnpike held a meeting on open road tolling in Breezewood. See photos below; QR code leads to additional info.

03/09/2026

Over the years, many people have asked how they can help support The Old PA Pike Trail directly, and until now, there wasn't an easy answer. That has changed, and we are excited to share a new announcement regarding 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐏𝐀 𝐏𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥!

𝐖𝐡𝐲 "𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬" 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥 🌳
You might know that a big part of the work the Bedford Fulton Joint Recreation Authority (BFJRA) does is securing and implementing grants for the trail. However, those grants are typically restricted to "capital projects", big things like resurfacing or restoring the historic tunnels.

Here is the catch: those grants usually cannot be used for the day-to-day expenses involved in trail operations and maintenance, things like:

𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐬: Keeping the lights on and administrative wheels turning.

𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞: Mowing, clearing fallen branches, and debris removal.

𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞: Smaller repairs and enhancements that keep every mile safe for your family.

𝐁𝐞 𝐚 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐳𝐞𝐫 🚴‍♀️
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐏𝐀 𝐏𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥 was created to fill that gap. It serves as a partner to the BFJRA, raising the critical funds that grants don't cover. To enable this, we are using Zeffy to support donations. Zeffy is a secure platform designed for simplicity - you can complete your gift in seconds with one-click options like Apple Pay and Google Pay, without having to create an account or navigate a complex checkout.

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐱-𝐝𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞! ✍️
Whether you itemize or take the standard deduction, your 2026 contribution is federally tax-deductible. Thanks to the "above-the-line" deduction, non-itemizers can deduct up to $1,000 (or $2,000 if married filing jointly). 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙪𝙡𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙖𝙭 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙙𝙚𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙨.

𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬: Investing in the trail is an investment in our local economy and quality of life. For our business community, a donation or sponsorship offers a high-impact way to build brand goodwill and reach a dedicated audience. Corporate contributions provide significant tax incentives - while 2026 rules include a 1% floor, businesses can still deduct gifts up to 10% of their pretax income while supporting the infrastructure that makes our region thrive.

Ready to help us reach the next mile marker? Click below to visit our new page and make a donation today. Every dollar stays right here to support the trail you love.

👉 Visit https://www.friendsoftopptrail.org to find out more and make a donation.