Reviewed by: Deb Cheplic ,  Weekend Warrior , from New Eagle, PA, USA

Summary:
Hi - I stumbled upon your site while looking for the Bridge Festival schedule. I just wanted to comment, as one of the "fat ass equestrians" that are criticized in several reviews, that we were the people who cut most of the trails in the park, and used to ride this area when it was just farmland before it became a park. For years the horseback riders were the only people who had to pay for a permit to ride in the park, and the only people even now who have to obtain a free permit before riding there. There are a few areas of the park, especially on the orange trail, that were cut across some rough areas, and some stream crossings have always been rather treacherous, horse traffic or not. Try to look at it through the eyes of the horseback rider, who's trying to cross an area that bikers have filled with tree saplings and poles, which gives us a great chance of having a broken leg on our friends by trying to get through these hazards. Most of the horse people I know are polite and try to coexist with the bikers on the trails. When we hear bikers coming, especially on the turns, we announce our presence so that they don't come barreling into the back of the horses. We are the people in the park in the spring with chain saws, folding camp saws and branch trimmers, trying to clear winter damage to make the trails enjoyable for all. I myself haven't ridden there for the past four years since my favorite horse died of an aneurysm while I was riding her near my home, but the park will always be a favorite spot of mine. All trail users in this country need to try to coexist on the trails, and band together to keep them open; after all, if they can be closed to horses, the bikers are just a short distance from being closed out too.
Here's to harmony on the trails. Hopefully this will help change your opinion of horseback riders. Deb

Reviewed by: Stompbox , from Greene County

Summary:
Its all pretty good riding. The Orange Trail circumscribes the entire park and must be at least 12 miles long. There is also about 7 or 8 side trails that radiate out from the main road which runs along Mingo Creek through the center of the park. You could probably ride a different route every day for a season.
Not extremely technical, a plethora of single track, also some as utility ROWs and abandoned road beds. You will see a number of old building foundations and structures as you ride around. There is even a small cave to the side of one trail. Be careful, nasty erosion has occurred on some of the downhills.
There isn't much traffic on the trails (considering the parks proximity to Allegheny Co.) I have often ridden several miles without seeing anyone. I rate Mingo 4 stars because it offers a wide variety of trail options.

Recommended Route:
I like to park near the stone bridge at the 3-way intersection in the middle of the park. Take the trail across the road or go up the gated road and take the 1st or 2nd trail on the left.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
I don't know of any.