Review Date
March 15, 2012

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: Mike Bierly ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Rothrock State Forest is awesome. There are a lot of fire roads and tons of single track. There is so much riding here that it would be a good idea to get a Purple Lizard Map AND also talk to someone at a local bike shop (Freeze Thaw Cycles or The Bicycle Shop) if you have not ridden in Rothrock before. There are many gems in Rothrock but they can be hard to find and it is easy to get lost.

Another option would be to download a map of the Stoopid 50's race course. I did this race before and there is a lot of good single track on the course. Shorter loops can be formed from the trails on the course if you are not into riding the full 50 miles.

Most of the single track in Rothrock is pretty technical. There are a lot of rocks and rock gardens, with stretches of single track in between. The fire roads and logging roads are great for beginners but most of the trails are not. The Coppers Gap area is generally a little more twisty and less technical but still has some pretty tough sections. The side of Rothrock near Tussey Mtn Ski Area is a little more technical and straight. Regardless of what part of Rockrock you ride, your sure to enjoy it if your up for the technical challenges.

It is also very beautiful and big (90,000 acres). It might seem when you arrive on a nice weekend day that the trails will be crowded based on the volume of cars in the parking lot (near Tussey Mtn Ski Area) but once you're on the trails you don't see too many other riders.

Recommended Route:
Go to a local bike shop and get a Purple Lizard Map and ask questions or get the Stoopid 50 map and ask questions.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Many

Review Date
March 21, 2011

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: Trophymountainspecialized ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
I just want to clarify that all hunters are not hilljacks like the guy below, my family and myself enjoy the forest year round. Cross Country in the winter, Mountain Bike and Rock Climb in the summer, and Hunt in the fall. Real hunters will get far enough off the trail that mountain bikers are no concern. Sorry for the shallower end of the hunting gene pool.

Recommended Route:
Any thing off the fire roads

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Find your own favorites

Review Date
February 24, 2011

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: Blaze ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Rothrock State Forest is awesome. IMBA recognized parts of the trail network as one of its Epic Rides. The trail network is extensive. Many of the trails are technical trails linked up by fire roads. If you haven't ridden Rothrock before, go to one of the local bikes shops in State College or Lewistown and get a Purple Lizard Map.

Also, I feel obligated to respond to the hunter that reviewed the trails on this site. What an idiot; I totally disagree with you. As a queer who frequently rides a mountain bike on these trails, I can't think of a more sexually exciting prospect than riding during hunting season. Not only will I be able to tickle my a-hole with my seat as I ride over those big rocks, I might get lucky enough to cross a hunter and some of his toothless buddies who will force me to "squeal like a pig" at gun point. Think about mountain bikers, riding during hunting season could be the sexual experience of your life.

Review Date
November 5, 2010

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: doubleR123 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
If your interested in technical and not very flowy trails rothrock is the place for you. Its fun and has a great trail system with miles and miles of trails. Its the place to be if your in love with rock gardens. The climbs are pretty easy (although some are pretty steep). There are some easy trails with many of them being in the Coopers Gap Region. Overall it has something to offer for everybody, but mainly geared to the people who enjoy classic rocky PA terrain. Very few negatives except that the rocks get annoying and once and a while you might see people like the guy below me, but oh well its hick country anyway.

Recommended Route:
Too many to count but I'll give you an easy one. Park at Galbraith, make a left on camp road, make a right on tussey mountain trail, eventually the trail will gradually turn right but then make a right on Bear meadows road and then a left at the yellow gate 100ft away. Follow the gravel road until you get to longerberger trail and make a right on it and follow it until you get to the parking lot. If you need a trail map go to NMBA.org.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
I recommend scotia if you need a brake from the rocks. But be aware that bicycles are not allowed on alot of the trails there.

Review Date
July 15, 2009

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a year

Reviewed by: fselker ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Lots of rocky fun here. 29'ers and full suspension are nice, but fun on anything if you like bumpy challenges. A couple of log rides sprinkled around, but the main stars are rocks and rock piles. Lots of roads too, but I'd try to stick to trails such as John Wert (sp?)and the Tussy mt. ridge, both of which are great (probably lots of others I haven't tried).