Hiking and Backpacking Trails
To order trail guides and maps, contact Pine Creek Outfitters by phone at (570) 724-3003.
Four major hiking trails are located in this region
West Rim Trail: 30-mile trail along the western rim of the PA Grand Canyon, named the “Best Hike in Pennsylvania” by Outside Magazine. This is a must-do trail because it offers a perfect weekend distance, abundant backcountry campsites, different forest types & environments, exceptionally awesome views of the canyon, and not too many people hiking it – you might not see anyone at all. Several access points allow you customize the length of the trail. The whole trail takes approx. 2.5 – 3.5 days to hike.
Shuttle service available – $30/person ($60 min.) – from Pine Creek Outfitters any day of the week.
Recommended Reading: Guidebook & Map to the West Rim Trail by Chuck Dillon (Fifth Edition) $15.00
Mid State Trail: Over 300 miles long, the trail stretches from Maryland to New York. Part of the trail passes through the Pine Creek area. Most agree that the sections of the Mid State in our area are some of the best, and surely some of the most remote, parts of the whole trail system. There are many highlights: big mountaintop vistas, rock formations, old-growth hemlock forest, and complete seclusion – the Mid State Trail is known for having very few hikers. Blackwell to Antrim is 1 to 2 days. The section between Little Pine State Park and Blackwell can be done in 2 to 3 days. Shuttle service available from Pine Creek Outfitters any day of the week.
Recommended Reading: Guidebook to the Mid State Trail and map set; Antrim to Woolrich (62 miles): MST Topo Maps available from Pine Creek Press. $4.00
Susquehannock Trail System: 84-mile loop trail in Potter County, between Denton Hill State Park and the village of Cross Fork. The feeling on this trail is one of total immersion in nature and complete isolation from the rest of humanity. There are easily more animals than people and you can go for days without seeing anyone on this trail. There are lots of different forest & tree types, wetland environments, and lovely streambeds tucked away in quiet valleys. The trail is actually a series of smaller connected trails that make up a bigger super loop. The trail can be hiked in mini-loop sections and are outlined in the trail guide. The whole trail takes approximately 6 to 10 days to hike.Recommended Reading: Guidebook & Map to the Susquehannock Trail System by Chuck Dillon (Fifth Edition). $18.00
Black Forest Trail: 43-mile loop trail with its main trailhead located in Slate Run. This is not a novice trail. The BFT has some extreme climbs and descents and is very rugged in sections. Your hiking boots will seriously be tested on this trail. The trail features many beautiful vistas and passes by two virgin hemlock trees that are hundreds of years old. Two trails (North Link and South Link) connect it to the Susquehannock Trail System. Other nearby trails allow you to shorten and customize the length. The whole trail takes approx. 3.5 to 5 days.
Recommended Reading: Guidebook & Map to the Black Forest Trail by Chuck Dillon (Second Edition). $15.00; Purple Lizard Pine Creek Map – Best regional map of the area, showing all major trails (and many shorter trails) and topographical features. $18.00
Day Hikes & Short Hikes
Barbour Rock Trail: An easy handicap-access trail that leads to a beautiful view of the PA Grand Canyon. 0.7 miles one-way to the overlook. Parking at the trailhead on Colton Road. You may extend this hike by following the orange-blazed West Rim Trail 1.4 miles to the yellow-blazed Bear Run Nature Trail 0.6 miles one-way, making it a total of 2.8 miles as a loop.
Colton Point Rim Trail: Fairly easy and level walk with multiple canyon vistas and viewing benches. 2 miles total as a loop. Parking at Colton Point State Park.
The Turkey Path: A steeper, more challenging hike from the top of the canyon all the way to the bottom with a beautiful series of cascading waterfalls. 1.25 miles one-way (2.5 miles total). Parking at Leonard Harrison State Park.
Recommended Reading: Short Hikes in PA’s Grand Canyon by Chuck Dillon (Fourth Edition). $15.00. Featuring West Rim Trail and East Rim day hikes and just about everything else in the Tioga State forest you might want to hike, including 5 alternative backpacking trips (1-2 nights each) in the canyon and state forest. This book will open the door of discovery to the crown jewel of the Pennsylvania Wilds Region – the Pine Creek Gorge. Also includes short hikes in Ansonia, the Asaph Wild Area, and along Stony Fork Creek. Contains over 40 hikes complete with descriptions of local flora and fauna, historical anecdotes, topo maps, and trail info. These hikes will take you off the beaten path at times and allow you to explore the true heart of this region’s vast wilderness. This book is a must-have for any hiking enthusiast seeking to explore the raw natural beauty of the Grand Canyon Region of Pennsylvania. Comes with a FREE copy of the waterproof Short Hikes Map!
Short Hikes in PA’s Grand Canyon waterproof hiking map. $4.00. Northern & Southern Canyon Short Hikes. Detailed map includes multiple short hiking trails with difficulty level, parking locations, overlooks, water-fall locations, etc.
