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This one takes about 90 minutes, and along the way, you'll see 8 covered
bridges and also the elusive Gravity
Hill. Gravity hill is an area where the laws of physics
do not apply. Cars roll uphill, water runs uphill ... but do ducks fly
upside down there? You'll have to be the judge of that.
Start your driving tour at Old Bedford Village, on Business Rt. 220, just 1 1/2 miles north of downtown Bedford. (If coming off the PA Turnpike, turn right after exiting and drive 1/2 mile south to Old Bedford Village.) Here, you’ll see the Claycomb Covered Bridge (#13). It was moved from Reynoldsdale to this location in 1975. Upon leaving this bridge, turn left onto Business Rt. 220 north (stay on Business Rt. 220 ... do not get on the bypass and I-99). Drive for about 3 1/2 miles and yield to the right at the intersection (staying on Bus. Rt. 220). Drive 3/10 mile further to the traffic light and turn left onto Rt. 56 west. Drive 6 miles on Rt. 56 and turn right onto Reynoldsdale Road and then immediately left onto Fish Hatchery Road. Drive 1 mile to the site of the 1882 Snook’s Covered Bridge (#11). Drive through the bridge and turn around just on the other side. Backtrack and return to the intersection of Rt. 56. Turn right onto Rt. 56 west and drive 8/10 mile. Put your turn signal on early and be aware of oncoming traffic. Turn left onto Dunnings Creek Rd. On your right is the 1880’s Dr. Kniseley Covered Bridge (#10). From here continue in the same direction (away from Rt. 56). After 2 4/10 miles, you will come to the Ryot Covered Bridge (#9). Lost to fire in 2002, Bedford County Commissioners committed to rebuild this structure. The bridge was rebuilt and reopened to traffic in 2004 Drive across this beautiful span and travel ½ mile to the intersection of Rt. 96. Turn left (south) onto Rt. 96. After driving 2 miles, you’ll come upon the 1882 Cuppett Covered Bridge (#8) on your left. Continue your tour in the same direction on Rt. 96 south for 1 3/10 miles further, through the town of New Paris. This is the point in the tour where you need to decide if you want to visit the often talked about, but seldom found, Gravity Hill. |
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To visit Gravity Hill, turn right onto Bethel Hollow Road (just after crossing a bridge with a paved surface & metal sides). After turning, drive 6/10 miles. Bear left at the “Y” in the road (stay on the “main” road). After another 1½ miles, you’ll come to an intersection that has a stop sign (for oncoming traffic only). Bear right onto this road and drive 2/10 mile and look for the letters “GH” spray painted on the road. Go past the first “GH” about 1/10 mile and stop before you get to the second spray painted “GH”. This is it. As you strain your ears to hear the laws of physics breaking, put your car in neutral (after checking behind you for oncoming traffic, of course) and take your foot off the brake. Your car will roll, uphill. There is a second Gravity Hill, just 3/10 mile past the second, spray painted, “GH”. Look for the telephone pole with the number “69”. Stop beside this pole and defy gravity once again. When you and your loved ones have been sufficiently awestruck, you can head for the small turn around area just 2/10 mile further (it’ll be on your right). Turn around and return back the way you came, to Rt. 96. Turn right onto Rt. 96 south.  |
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Continue on Rt. 96 south for 4 miles to the town of Schellsburg. You’ll come to a traffic light and the intersection of Rt. 30. Turn right onto Rt. 30 west. Drive 1 block and take your first left at the “Colvin Covered Bridge” sign. Drive 1/2 mile down this road. The Colvin Covered Bridge (#7) was built in 1866. It was refurbished in 1997. Drive through the Colvin Covered Bridge and continue on for 2 8/10 miles (stay straight on this road ... the road is narrow and twisted and you’ll think you’re not on the right one, but you are). Drive to a stop sign and turn left onto SR 3019. Go 1 3/10 miles and turn left onto Rt. 31 East. Drive an additional 2 miles and look in the distance to your left for the Turner’s Covered Bridge (#6) and turn left onto Faupel Rd. (this is a gravel road). Continue down this road and drive through the bridge to a turn around. Return to Rt. 31. Carefully look both ways and turn left, onto Rt. 31 east. Drive 3 8/10 miles to the town of Manns Choice. Turn left at the blinking stop light and you’ll still be on Rt. 31 east. Drive about 1 mile and turn left onto Watson Road. Drive ½ mile down this road to the 1906 Herline Covered Bridge (#5). The Herline is the longest covered bridge in Bedford County. It was refurbished in 1996. Continue through the bridge and turn to the right on SR 4007. Drive 2 2/10 miles to the intersection of Rt. 30. When you return to Rt. 30 you can turn left onto Rt. 30 west to return to Schellsburg or, if you want to return to Bedford, Everett or Breezewood turn right onto Rt. 30 east. We hope you’ve enjoyed this little driving tour! We have a brochure, complete with information on our covered bridges, listing construction dates, locations, etc. Call us at 1-800-765-3331 and we'll send you a free copy. |
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