Perhaps no other image comes to mind more when you mention Bedford County than covered
bridges. Few places have bridges set in more picturesque settings with such variety. Our
bridges were built over 100 years ago by craftsmen who worked by hand to make structures
that would withstand the rain, snow and hard use of the traveling public.
Start your driving tour at Old Bedford Village, on Bus. Rt. 220, just 1.5 miles
north of downtown Bedford. (If coming off the PA Turnpike, turn right after exiting
and drive 0.5 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 Bus. Rt. 220 and travel north for 1 mile to I-99 N (toward
Altoona). Take I-99 N for about 6.5 miles to Exit 7 (St. Clairsville/Osterburg). Turn left at the
bottom of the ramp and travel to the stop sign then turn right onto 869 W. Travel 1.5 miles and
turn left (following 869 W). Continue .6 mile, snaking through the town of Osterburg and bear left
at the “Y” still following 869 W. Travel an additional 1 mile to Bowser’s Covered Bridge (#12) on
your left. Built in 1890, it functioned until 1973 when a modern bridge was built beside it.
From here turn onto Covered Bridge Rd. crossing the modern bridge adjacent to Bowser’s
Covered Bridge and travel 2 miles to the stop sign. Turn right onto Gordon Hall Rd. and drive
0.6 mile to Fish Hatchery Rd. Turn left onto Fish Hatchery Rd. and drive 0.3 mile to the site of
the 1882 Snook’s Covered Bridge (#11).
After driving through Snook’s Bridge, turn right onto Ridge Market Rd. and travel 0.6 miles to
the stop sign. Cross Rt. 56 (Quaker Valley Rd.) and continue straight onto Dunnings Creek Rd.
After 0.1 mile you will see the 1880’s Kniseley Covered Bridge (#10) on your right.
From here continue following Dunnings Creek Rd. for 2.5 miles 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. Turn right
onto Bowser Rd. to drive across this beautiful span and travel .5 mile to the
intersection at Cortland Rd. (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 S. After 1.4 miles you will pass
through the town of New Paris.
Self Guided Tour Time: 100 Minutes
Claycomb Covered Bridge (#13)
Bowser Covered Bridge (#12)
Snooks Covered Bridge (#11)
Kniseley Covered Bridge (#10)
Ryot Covered Bridge (#9)
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