Located in the US, the hiking in Pennsylvania offers over twenty awesome hiking and backpacking trails. The best Pennsylvania hiking based on popularity are considered to be Appalachian Trail, West Rim Trail, French Creek State Park, Blue Marsh Lake Trail, and Black Forest Trail. For a detailed trail description and printable trailhead map, just select a Pennsylvania hiking trail below.
Near Wellsboro in the Tioga State Forest, the 31 mile West Rim Trail runs the western rim of the Pine Creek Gorge in the 13,000-acre Pine Creek Natural Area. The West Rim Trail is truly breathtaking during the fall foliage season from mid-September to mid-October. Its best to run from north-to-south beginning in Ansonia.
Northwest of Reading near Leesport, the Blue Marsh Lake Area has 28 miles of rolling hiking trails twisting through green meadows and dark hardwood forests. The main Blue Marsh Lake trail (22 miles) follows the edge of the lake and passes through forest, bridal trails and some gravel roads.
South of St. Marys, the Quehanna Trail is a 75 mile hiking loop that starts from Parker Dam State park and runs through both Elk and Moshannon State Forests. The route passes through some wild, scenic, and challenging terrain. The main orange blazed trail begins on the western end at Parker Dam State Park.
Near Wilkes Barre, the Pinchot Trail Systems in the 8,000 acre Lackawanna State Forest is a combination of gravel roads, double track, rocky single track and grassy trails. The 23 mile orange-blazed trail on the Pocono Plateau offers scenic forest overlooks, hemlock shrouded creeks and bogs. Keep an eye out for bear, deer and an occasional rattlesnake.
Located in north-central Penn, the Susquehannock Trail is an 85 mile loop between Denton Hill and Cross Fork in Potter County. This rolling, long-distance hiking trail swings an impressive oval through Susquehannock State Forest, visiting Ole Bull and Patterson state parks, Hammersly Wild Area, and Cherry Springs Fire Tower.
Near Slate Run in the Tiadaghton State Forest, the Black Forest Trail is a 42 mile loop combining old railroad grades, old forest roads and trails through spectacular forests. This strenuous route climbs and descends numerous ridges, crosses many streams and is blazed with orange markers.
Near Philadelphia in the Delaware Valley, the 9,000 acre Fairmount Park has a scenic 4,000 acre northwest section called the Wissahickon Valley. The Wissahickon Trail System is a 20+ mile network with some of the best hiking in the northeast over varied terrain. The system is well-marked and consists of looping trails through ancient elms and oaks.
Southwest of Marienville, the Buzzard Swamp Wildlife Area has a 9.6 mile system of interconnecting hiking trails around 15 man-made ponds. This is a very scenic area gentle rolling through forest and meadows, which is also shared with for mountain biking and cross country skiing in the winter.
Southeast of Pittsburgh and Ligonier in the Forbes State Forest, the 10+ mile Linn Run Trail System is open to hiking. The system consists of the Grove Run Trail (3.8 miles), Fish Run Trail (2.5 miles) and the Quarry Trail (3.9 miles) among others. There are several trailheads along Linn Run Road.
Southeast of Pittsburgh and Donegal in the Forbes State Forest, the 7.7 mile Mountain Streams Trail is the backbone of the trail system. There are several trailheads located on SR31. The multi-use trails are also shared with mountain biking, horseback riding and cross country skiing.
Southeast of Pittsburgh and Donegal in the Forbes State Forest, the Roaring Run Natural Area has 10+ miles of backcountry trails. There is a hiking trailhead located on US31 east of Jones Mills.
West of Wilkes-Barre in the Poconos, the 13,000 acre Ricketts Glen State Park is known for virgin forest and numerous waterfalls. This is a scenic 7.4 mile loop in the Glen Natural Area that gives a taste of the region. The loop combines Kitchen Creek Trail, Glen Leigh Trail, Highland Trail and Genoga Glen Trail.
The Allegheny Front Trail is a 40 mile hiking trek through the rugged and rocky Black Moshannon State Forest. The trailhead is located in the Black Moshannon State Park near the office.
Northwest of Philidelpia near Jim Thorpe, the Glen Onoco / Broad Mountain Loop is an eight mile hiking route with exceptional views, such as the 25 foot Glen Onoco Falls. This route follows doubletrack through dense hardwood forest past falls, creeks and meadows.
The Clarion/Little Toby Trail runs 18 miles from Ridgeway to Brockway. This rail-trail open to hiking follows along the Clarion River from Ridgway to the ghost town of Carman and then follows along the Little Toby Creek from Carman to Brockway.
North of Bedford near Claysburg, the 5,600 acre Blue Knob State Park has miles of rolling hiking trails to explore. The 26 mile Lost Turkey Trail is popular for backpacking and follows an old railroad grade into adjacent Game Land #28. It begins at the Blue Knob Fire Tower and ends at the Babcock State Forest Ranger Station on SR56.
South of Marienville, the 7,200 acre Cook Forest State Park has 27 miles of hiking trails. The terrain is of rolling hills and cool valley streams. Special scenic areas are the old growth forest, Fire Tower/Seneca Point and the Clarion River. Overnight camping within the park is only permitted in the campground or cabin areas.
Northwest of Pittsburgh near Portersville, the McConnells Mill State Park has 11 miles of hiking trails. The main Slippery Rock Gorge Trail is a 6.2 mile section of the North Country National Scenic Trail. It runs from Eckert Bridge, off Breakneck Bridge Road, to the Hells Hollow parking area off Shaffer Road east of SR65.
Near Benezette in Elk County, the Thunder Mountain Trail is a 26 mile hiking route. There are several road crossings where the trail can be accessed and two loops for shorter trail rides. The hiking trail is blazed in blue horseshoes.