One of the things that makes the PA Cross Cut special is that it isn’t simply a collection of roads connected by a GPS track. It is a journey through the landscapes, industries, and communities that helped shape Pennsylvania.
Beginning in the rugged Appalachian region near the Pennsylvania-West Virginia border, riders travel through terrain that was once part of America’s western frontier. Long before adventure motorcycles crossed these ridges, settlers, trappers, and traders used these mountains as transportation corridors into the interior of Pennsylvania.
As the route continues north, riders enter regions influenced by Pennsylvania’s coal, railroad, and timber industries. Small towns along the route owe much of their history to the hardworking men and women who harvested timber, mined coal, and built the rail lines that connected rural Pennsylvania to the rest of the country.
The Ship Hotel: Pennsylvania’s Most Unusual Roadside Attraction
One of the most unique historical stops near the southern portion of the PA Cross Cut is the former S.S. Grand View Point Hotel, better known as the Ship Hotel.
Perched high along the historic Lincoln Highway near Bedford, Pennsylvania, the Ship Hotel was one of the most famous roadside attractions in the state. The location itself sits more than 2,400 feet above sea level and offers sweeping views across the Allegheny Mountains, with visitors once claiming they could see portions of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia from the overlook. However I don’t believe that is true.
The story began in the 1920s when Dutch immigrant Herbert Paulson built a small refreshment stand at Grand View Point to serve travelers making the difficult journey across the mountains. As automobile tourism exploded along the Lincoln Highway, Paulson expanded the site into a hotel. Not content with an ordinary building, he unveiled something extraordinary in 1932: a massive ship-shaped hotel seemingly sailing through the Allegheny Mountains.
Known as the “Ship of the Alleghenies,” the structure contained dining rooms, observation decks, hotel rooms, gift shops, and nautical-themed decorations. Visitors could stand on the deck, grab a meal, and enjoy one of the most spectacular mountain vistas in Pennsylvania. During its peak years, more than 100,000 visitors signed the guest register, including celebrities, business leaders, and travelers from around the world.
Learn more at this website: https://www.thirdstopontheright.com/shiphotel/?fbclid=IwZnRzaASqKQ1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeOFh9lEELlgyXHh_5K1jVsfaW-SkTrvno6-aZ_t1cK9sQwuTVti0ZOmBjzy4_aem_PhIjgWheYZLDFCs9BhguQg
Today, only the overlook remains, but riders traveling the PA Cross Cut can still stop and imagine a time when the journey itself was the destination. Before GPS, interstate highways, and smartphones, travelers crossed the mountains on roads like the Lincoln Highway, stopping at unique places such as the Ship Hotel to refuel, rest, and take in the view. In many ways, adventure motorcycling captures that same spirit of exploration today.
Standing at Grand View Point, it’s easy to understand why Herbert Paulson chose this location. The ship may be gone, but the view that inspired it remains as impressive as ever.
Punxsutawney: More Than Groundhog Day
One of the most recognizable towns along the PA Cross Cut is Punxsutawney, known worldwide as the home of Punxsutawney Phil and the annual Groundhog Day celebration.
While most visitors know the town because of the famous weather-predicting groundhog, adventure riders discover a different side of the region. Setting aside my feelings about celebrating a demon-possessed marmot, the town itself is lovely. Rolling farmland, quiet forest roads, and scenic backroads surround the community, making it an ideal stop along your route—no weather predictions required. Be sure to stop at Groundhog Grindz for a coffee and breakfast sandwich. “Version 4 introduces one of the most significant route improvements in this area, creating a more enjoyable and rewarding experience between Punxsutawney and Arroyo Bridge.
Beartown Rocks
The highlight of the new update is the addition of Beers Rocks, a spectacular overlook located in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Dark Sky Country.
This region is known for some of the darkest night skies east of the Mississippi River. Limited development, vast forests, and remote mountain ridges create ideal conditions for stargazing while also preserving some of Pennsylvania’s most beautiful scenery.
Beartown Rocks offers riders panoramic views across the Pennsylvania Wilds and provides one of those memorable stops that remind you why adventure riding is about much more than simply reaching a destination.
Whether you’re visiting during the vibrant colors of autumn, the lush green forests of summer, or the crisp air of spring, the overlook is worth the stop.
The Pennsylvania Wilds
The northern half of the PA Cross Cut travels through portions of the Pennsylvania Wilds, a region encompassing millions of acres of public lands, state forests, and remote mountain terrain.
Many of the gravel roads used by the route trace the same corridors once utilized by logging operations during Pennsylvania’s lumber boom. During the late 1800s, northern Pennsylvania supplied enormous quantities of timber that helped build growing cities throughout the eastern United States.
Today, those same forests have returned, creating the scenic riding opportunities that make the PA Cross Cut so unique.
Riders frequently travel for miles through dense forests with little traffic, enjoying a sense of solitude that is becoming increasingly rare in the eastern United States.
Gear Up for the PA Cross Cut
When you’re tackling rugged routes like the PA Cross Cut, your gear needs to work as hard as you do. The Viking Tactical Extra Large Motorcycle Backpack is built for exactly that—giving you massive, organized storage for extra layers, camera gear, hydration, and trail essentials.
Long-distance adventure riding is unpredictable, but your motorcycle luggage shouldn’t be. Whether you’re conquering the full route or just escaping for a smaller section, dependable, durable bags let you forget about your gear and focus entirely on the ride ahead.
Pack smart, ride hard, and let Viking Bags handle the rest.
