Enchanting pieces of the past, like covered bridges, dot the Pennsylvania landscape. We’re quite fortunate to have more than 200 covered bridges in Pennsylvania, although that number has dipped from 1,500 over the years. While Lancaster County boasts the most covered bridges, Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas also have quite a few covered bridges, including the Herline Covered Bridge near Pittsburgh.
To reach the longest covered bridge in Pennsylvania, we’d have to journey more than three hours to the town of Port Royal, the home of the Pomeroy Academia Covered Bridge (pictured below).
Did you know that Herline Covered Bridge is the longest covered bridge near Pittsburgh? It's worthy of a spot on your bucket list, don't you think? We can't think of a better way to experience a piece of Pennsylvania's storied history than with a visit to its many covered bridges.
The picturesque covered bridge spans an impressive 278 feet. However, one of the other longest bridges in the state doesn’t take quite as long to reach.
Herline Covered Bridge in Bedford County, just under two hours from downtown Pittsburgh, is just one of 14 covered bridges in the county. If you’re driving to see Herline Covered Bridge, consider touring some or all of them.
While you're in the charming town of Bedford, Pennsylvania, consider touring a bit. The town is well-known for its rich history, including Jean-Bonnet Tavern. It's said to be one of the most haunted places in Pennsylvania.
Built in 1902 in a Burr Truss-style, the covered bridge measures 136 feet long and nine feet wide. The covered bridge underwent renovations in the 1990s, which means today vehicles can still travel over it.
Cross the covered bridge by car or by foot. However, if you plan on walking, make sure you take care and keep an eye out for vehicles.
When you travel over the Herline Covered Bridge, which is owned by Pennsylvania, you’ll cross over the Juniata River.
Don't forget your camera. While you won't need a ton of time to visit this covered bridge near Pittsburgh, you will be treated to plenty of photo-worthy moments.
If you’ve got a few extra hours in your day, set off on a self-guided tour on the Bedford County Visitors Bureau’s Covered Bridge Driving Tour. It will take you to nine of the area’s 14 bridges.
If you've been looking for covered bridges near me, you've just found some of the best. While the self-guided tour is picture-perfect any time of the year, make an effort to drive it during the fall, too, when the foliage is at its peak.
The tour spans 40 miles, and the visitor’s bureau recommends allotting at least 90 minutes for your journey. However, it may take longer, depending on how long you spend at each bridge and if you make other stops along the way.
You can easily turn the driving tour into a day trip.
Head over to the official website of the Bedford County Visitors Bureau for more information on the area’s covered bridges. Or, visit the official Facebook page of the Visitors Bureau in Bedford County.
Check out this video of Herline Covered Bridge, courtesy of Pennsylvania Covered Bridges on YouTube. You can view more videos of covered bridges in Pennsylvania on this YouTube channel, too.
If you've been wondering, "Are there any covered bridges near me," now you have the answer! Have you ever visited the Herline Covered Bridge near Pittsburgh? What did you think? Share your experience in the comments! If you’re a fan of covered bridges, plan a visit to Erskine Covered Bridge, in West Alexander, the oldest covered bridge near Pittsburgh.
Pack your camera, too, when you visit these Pennsylvania covered bridges.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!