This page collects information specific to horseback riding on shared-use trails in Rothrock State Forest near State College. Mountain bikers do a good job keeping many trails open, but that doesn’t always mean they are suitable for horses.

We have photos of trails we will add as time permits.

Because Rothrock is a big area, with many trails, we will probably have to split this into multiple pages as we go on.

See Horse Riding: Trough Creek for the southern end of Rothrock.

Trail Details

Brush Ridge Trail

Challenging. Quite rocky single-track from Coopers Gap Road. Many low branches, especially in tunnel of rhododendron at start. Places are on a somewhat steep hillside. Grade is significant. Have we mentioned the rocks? It’s a shame, it is a logical part of loop trails, it’s just pretty brutal for horses. More details to come! Grade C-

Dutch Alvin Trail

Dutch Alvin has two sections, split by an access point and small parking area at a pipeline right-of-way along Coopers Gap Road.

North: The north section winds along parallel to Coopers Gap Road. This is an interesting, twisty single-track trail that winds in and out among trees of mature woods, and skirts an area that was clear cut some time back. There are a few short rocky areas but for most riders it should be easy. It is a bit of a climb going south, but not extreme. It does stay fairly close to the road, but there is unlikely to be much traffic. A short connecting trail ties it to a small parking area on Coopers Gap Road at the pipeline corridor. Grade B.

East: The east section passes mostly through an area that was logged recently and is new growth. It’s fairly sparse and therefore sunny. There are some rocks, but mostly it’s sandy and easy footing. It has twists and turns and is generally a pretty interesting single-track ride. At the east end, the trail parallels a fenced deer area before meeting Chestnut Spring trail; that section has pretty good footing with fewer rocks and is a bit wider. Grade B.

Chestnut Spring Trail

Chestnut Spring trail has two distinct sections, split by a 90 degree turn where it meets Dutch Alvin Trail.

East: The east section climbs from Coopers Gap Road along a deer fence. The path is narrow single-track and in places quite rocky. There is one particular climb that is both rocky and fairly steep, though it is only maybe 100 feet long. After meeting a branch trail, footing gets a bit better and the trail enters more mature woods. From there until the right angle turn, the footing is good and the trail is easy. This trail isn’t horrible, but it is a bit challenging. Grade C

North: The north section begins at the intersection with Dutch Alvin trail. From there north the trail is in mature woods. Footing is fairly good on the level summit of the ridge. As the trail begins to descend toward Brush Ridge trail is becomes rockier. Rocky stretches are mostly 50-100 feet long, and fairly manageable. Expect some low branches. Not an easy trail, but not horrible either. Grade C

Chicken Peter Trail

Chicken Peter has two sections, split by an access point to Shiitaka Trail.

West: The west section is the easier and more appropriate to horse use. It’s an entertaining single-track trail that winds through mature forest and some brushy areas, with occasional sandy stretches. It does have rocky stretches, but they are generally 50-100 feet long and fairly manageable. For most riders this section should be no problem as long as your horse has boots or shoes. Expect some low branches. Grade B.

East: The east section is quite different and probably not appropriate for most riders. Going east from the mid-point it starts off with a small stone stream ford. It soon becomes mostly rocks as it climbs fairly steeply. It soon reaches small switchbacks that drop down the north face a bit. This section is quite rocky. Eventually the trail climbs to the top of the ridge and meets Beautiful Trail (which is not beautiful for horses). Grade D.

Bigelow Trail

Bigelow starts off Kettle Road as a pretty easy ride with a few rocky spots. Beyond the spring it gets substantially rockier as it climbs to the ridge and meets Pigpile Trail. This stretch is probably 50% rocky. There are some logs to hop over. Brush is cut back well and there are few low branches to deal with. All single-track.

The problem is, once at Pigpile/Sassy-Pig atop the ridge you are faced with two very rocky trails. Grade B dropping to C.

Pigpile Trail

High atop a ridge, this single-track trail through mature woods appears consistently rocky (we haven’t covered all of it). 75% or more is rocky stretches. Some stretches are easier. Brush is cut back and low branches are not a problem. Grade C.

Sassy Pig Trail

Sassy-Pig is an informal name given to Pigpile trail between Bigelow trail and Sassafras trail. Signs on the trail say Pigpile, not Sassy-Pig!

High atop a ridge, this single-track trail winds and twists through mature woods. Unfortunately it is rocky. Figure on 75% or more of rocky stretches. Once in a while it gets nice… then it goes right back to rock.

There is one overlook but it is accessible only on foot. There is one stretch where the trail is literally on stepping stones. Brush is cut back well and low branches are not a problem. Just rocks. Rocks and rocks. Grade C-.

Sassafras Trail

We haven’t covered the entire trail, which is quite long.

From Kettle Road to Pigpile/Sassy-Pig at top of ridge the trail is a narrow single track. Brush is grown in somewhat close and there are some low branches. There are intermittent sloppy spots in wet weather. As you near the ridge, the trail gets considerably rockier. Grade B- dropping to C as you climb to the summit.

Shiitaka Trail

Shiitaka Trail has several distinct sections:

Trail Grading System

We came up with this trail scoring system.

  • A: Easy. Any rider should be comfortable. Few if any obstacles or rocks. Typically dirt, grass, or gravel that’s not too coarse. Should be fine for barefoot or tender-footed horses.
  • B: Reasonably easy. Must glance down once in a while to deal with occasional rocky patches or obstacles. May have sections that are uncomfortable for barefoot horses.
  • C: Challenging trail. Obstacles like rocks on 50% or more of trail. Requires fairly constant attention to where you place your feet. Not recommended for horses without shoes or boots. This trail is going to be a lot more tiring than A or B grade.
  • D: Uncomfortably bad, but passable for those who don’t mind really asking a lot of their horses. Expect brutal rocks and regular obstacles, constant attention to foot placement. This trail is going to be very tiring.
  • F: Basically unpassable on horseback, for the safety of you and your horse.

This is based on hiking trails, which we often do to scout them before riding. But it should give you a good idea of how challenging they are.

Note that these ratings are based on Central Pennsylvania! If you are used to riding Colorado mountains, maybe your opinion differs.

Facilities

The northern end of Rothrock state forest does offer some conveniences useful to horseback riders:

Alan Seeger: A parking area near Bear Meadows Road and Stone Creek Road (west of Alan Seeger Natural area) has sufficient space to pull in horse trailers and has pit toilets and picnic tables.

Penn Roosevelt Park: The day use area at PennRo has a small amount of parking, pit toilets, and picnic tables. On busy days it can be difficult to fit a horse trailer here. I think there may be a water fountain. It is possible to access a stream or the pond to water horses.