Cycling

Big Bear Lake

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Strewn throughout Big Bear Lake Camplands,  Big Bear Lake Trail Center is quickly becoming known as the hot spot for classic east coast single track mountain biking. Years of trail development, by experienced mountain bikers, have created a trail system that will have you grinning ear to ear. The terrain has everything to offer; gradual climbs, large embedded rocks, tight slaloms, challenging rock gardens, and off the saddle downhills. Almost 50 miles of trail wind through knee deep ferns, soft needle pine plantations, and groves of mountain laurel. Riders of all ages and abilities will find trails to fit their individual riding skills and need for adrenaline.
Trail maps are provided at the main entrance. Trail fee is $10/day or $30 for a season pass. Season passes can be purchased at the main entrance or online HERE.


All trails may be used for hiking, trail running and x-c skiing. Trails are closed from November 1 to December 31.

Riversport School of Paddling

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Since 1981 Riversport School of Paddling has been teaching quality canoe and kayak instruction to thousands of beginner to advanced paddlers. They are the only outfitter who’s sole focus is teaching kayaking in the area. Their week long kids summer camps are wildly popular. They also do a parent/child week along with their standard group or private lessons by the day, weekend or week.

Confluence is arguably one of the very best spots in the world to learn to kayak. It’s like visiting Aspen, Colorado in the winter and not skiing.  We’ve got clean, warm, consistent water year round along with the perfectly progressive whitewater for a beginning paddler up to class V. Learn to roll on the warm Yough Lake, then learn to steer your kayak on the slow moving current of the Yough below the dam. Just downstream at Ramcat Rapid, you’ll learn to catch eddies, peel outs and ferries. Next it’s on to another local class II river like the Casselman, Laurel Hill or Cheat Narrows. From there you’ll have your choice of a variety of class III runs in the area like the Loop, Lower Yough, Upper Casselman, Cheat Canyon and other rain fed creeks and streams. For the experienced boater, you’ll most likely spend time on the Lower Yough working on technique to get you ready for the harder class IV-V runs in the area like the Upper Yough.

Riversport is on the bike trail, next to Lucky Dog Cafe (near the Tree and Riverhouse and a short walk from the Stonehouse). They also rent rafts, SUP boards, canoes and recreation kayaks for the Middle Yough float trip. They also have bike rentals and a whitewater retail shop.

If you are interested in a float trip but don’t want to spend the entire day on the river, ask about the Mini float. It’s perfect for families with small children or if you don’t have a lot of time.

Ohiopyle State Park

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Located on the southern reaches of the Laurel Ridge, Ohiopyle State Park encompasses approximately 20,500 acres of rugged natural beauty and serves as the gateway to the Laurel Highlands. Close to major metropolitan areas and offering vast choices of activities, Ohiopyle State Park attracts millions of visitors annually. Confluence is 5 miles from the park. It’s a 15 minute drive to the Falls.

Passing through the heart of the park, the rushing waters of the Youghiogheny [yawki-gay-nee] River Gorge are the centerpiece for Ohiopyle. The “Yough” [yawk] provides some of the best whitewater boating in the eastern United States, as well as spectacular scenery.

Ohiopyle is the southern gateway into the Laurel Highlands and represents the beautiful natural resources and unique sense of community that visitors can find throughout the region.

More information here

Seven Springs Resort

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Seven Springs Mountain Resort is the perfect place for family vacations that create lifelong memories. So much more than exceptional snowsports, Seven Springs’ legendary service provides guests with relaxing escapes. Take the entire family skiing in the morning, take a shot at sporting clays or enjoy the thrills of snow tubing in the afternoon, enjoy a luxurious spa treatment in the evening before a great dinner and then do it all again the next day after a relaxing overnight stay.

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The Garrett County Gran Fondo Routes

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Garrett County and the Deep Creek Lake area boast some of the finest and most challenging cycling in North America, and the Garrett County Gran Fondo has established itself as a premier North American Gran Fondo unsurpassed in challenge, scenery, and riding quality.

With seven Timed KOM Climbs covering 16.2 miles and 5700′ of elevation gain, the Garrett County Gran Fondo is the King of all Climbing Gran Fondos. No other Gran Fondo has more timed climbing! Read up on the specs of the Timed KOM Climbs and Other Major Climbs at the Garrett County Gran Fondo, and bring your climbing legs!

The Garrett County Gran Fondo has a ride for everyone from the recreational cyclist to seasoned professionals with five supported ride options. With the exception of the “Garrett’s Greatest 25”, all Garrett County Gran Fondo routes are extremely challenging, very steep climbing affairs and riders should plan accordingly. Some hills peak out at over 20% pitch and have extended stretches well into the teens. It is highly recommended that you gear your bike appropriately for the severe climbing.

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Road Bike Riding around Confluence

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The road biking in Somerset and Fayette County is fantastic. The rides out of Confluence in all directions are great. The Casselman valley and the Mt Davis area offer many routes. If you are a cyclist, don’t come without bringing your bike.

We are happy to help you pick rides of various length and elevation and share Strava/Garmin routes. Plan to do a lot of climbing!

Around the last weekend in July there is a 40 mile road race that climbs PA’s tallest mountain, Mt Davis–twice! Here’s more info on the Mt Davis Challenge.

Local Mountain Biking

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Ohiopyle Biking Club has really stepped it up in the last few years. A dedicated group of volunteers has been working tirelessly to build, maintain and of course, enjoy the trails on Sugarloaf. Because of this group, we have mountain biking specific single track trails all over Sugarloaf- with seemingly new trails popping up all the time!

You can head to the sledding hill area on Sugarloaf (halfway btw our home and Ohiopyle, about 10 mins away) and check out the kiosk there or for digital information here. Trailforks and Mtbproject are always good trail resources as well. 

Wilderness Voyageurs site has info on the Ohiopyle area as well. 

Ohiopyle State Park Mt. Bike Trails

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Sugarloaf Mountain Bike Area is a series of loops that can be combined to create trips of varying lengths and difficulties. The trails are well-marked and wide, with only few rocky and muddy sections. Thanks to a very active local group of volunteers, new trails are being added, maintained and improved all the time. Recently they have connected the Baughman trail to the McCune trail (see map). The trails this group are adding are single track and a bit more challenging than the established State Park trails.

More information from Singletracks.com

Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) Rail Trail

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You can ride and hike the former rail road bed called the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) bike trail all the way from Pittsburgh to Washington, DC and make Yough Tree or Riverhouse a retreat from all the pedaling.

If the entire 200+ journey isn’t on your agenda, shorter day trips from our homes are a great way to get some exercise and see the area. The trail is shady and follows the river, so even on a hot day it’s pleasant. Turn left at the end of our road (cross Yough River Bridge) and follow the Yough River downstream to Ohiopyle (11 miles) or turn right and follow the Casselman River to the town of Rockwood ( 18 miles). There is a well stocked bike shop in Confluence, Confluence Cyclery as well as shops in Ohiopyle and Rockwood. Looking for a bike tour, check out local company, Wilderness Voyageurs. For more information about the trail visit here.