Staple Bend Tunnel Through a Local Lens

Even if you’ve never heard the history behind Staple Bend Tunnel, you feel it the second you approach it. The contrast between the heavy, humid air outside and the cool air spilling from the tunnel stops you in your tracks. Dark stone cuts through the surrounding forest in sharp contrast, making the tunnel feel like something preserved from another time.

The trail itself is well shaded through most sections and lined with beautiful wildflowers in the spring. Small waterfall-like runoffs can also be spotted along the route. Rainy Johnstown weather often brings heavy humidity to the air, which makes the tunnel feel even more dramatic.

I always anticipate the moment I step inside and the temperature suddenly drops. The echo of your own breath, mixed with the sound of dripping water, creates a kind of peace that’s hard to describe. It’s similar to that runner’s high feeling — the moment where your legs settle in, your mind quiets down, and you suddenly feel like you could run forever.

Built in the 1830s, Staple Bend Tunnel was the first railroad tunnel in the United States. Workers chipped away for 12 hours a day, six days a week. Construction cost more than $37,000, with nearly half of that spent on the stone entryways alone — the same west side entryway that still attracts visitors today.

The tunnel closed to railroad traffic in 1852, though it remained accessible by carriage until the Flood of 1889. After the flood, the facade of the east entrance was removed. Locals continued visiting the area, as it had become a popular courting destination, but the tunnel was eventually closed to the public in the 1940s.

Staple Bend was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1994, transforming what was once a major piece of industrial infrastructure into one of the region’s most unique outdoor destinations. By 2001, the tunnel had been restored and reopened to the public. Today, visitors hike, bike, and run through the tunnel and surrounding trail.

Staple Bend Trail is part of the 11-mile-long Path of the Flood Trail, though the Staple Bend section itself is only about 3.5 miles total, with parking available on both the east and west sides. Personally, I prefer parking at the west trailhead when visiting.

This section begins as a typical crushed-gravel rail trail but quickly shifts into something that feels more like a mountain bike route, eventually narrowing into a single-track stretch before ending with an uphill climb to the tunnel. Earlier this year, falling rock caused the interior of the tunnel to close to visitors. However, a bypass trail now leads around the tunnel, allowing access to both ends. The bypass is still unfinished and a bit technical in places, though improvements are currently underway. Once you reach the opposite side, the remaining two miles return to the familiar crushed-gravel rail trail terrain.

Next weekend marks the historic Path of the Flood races — one of my favorite local race events. The course starts in South Fork and winds its way into Johnstown, following the same route floodwaters took during the devastating 1889 Flood.

Since beginning in 2010, the race has seen several course changes and additions as sections of the Path of the Flood Trail have expanded and been rerouted. This year, runners will may once again face a course adjustment to bypass the tunnel. While it only adds roughly 100 feet to the total route, it does mean missing one of the race’s most iconic moments. The bypass includes a climb but also comes with some downhill running, fitting for a course often considered a downhill race overall.

Runners can choose from three distances: a 5K, an 8-mile race, or a 14-mile race. Shuttles from PNG Park transport runners to their designated starting areas before the event.

From a photography perspective, Staple Bend offers an unusual mix of industrial texture and natural scenery. Within a short walk, you can move from dark stone architecture to soft forest light and open trail views. Fall colors, especially, create a beautiful backdrop for family portraits and outdoor sessions.

Places like Staple Bend Tunnel feel rare because they’re layered. History, recreation, community, and nature all exist along the same stretch of trail. Whether you’re there to run, ride, photograph, or simply walk through the tunnel, it’s the kind of place that leaves an impression.