Hiking Pinnacle and Pulpit Rocks near Philadelphia, PA - Backpacker

Philadelphia: Pinnacle and Pulpit Rocks

This sometimes-steep 6.8-mile loop climbs hillsides carpeted with mountain laurel and hardwoods to two sweeping vistas overlooking the Lehigh and Cumberland Valleys.

Author:: BACKPACKERMagazine
Publish date:: Sep 20, 2013

Trail Facts

Distance: 12.1
Miles from city center: 79

Waypoints

PPR002

Location: 40.5896682739258, -75.9443359375

Turn R onto the Appalachian Trail

PPR003

Location: 40.5893325805664, -75.9433364868164

Cross bridge over Furnace Creek, then bear R

PPR004

Location: 40.5895004272461, -75.9403305053711

Keep R; trail lined with mountain laurel

PPR005

Location: 40.5938339233398, -75.9278335571289

Switchback up to the ridgecrest, staying on the AT

PPR007

Location: 40.6124992370606, -75.9128341674805

The Pinnacle (1,635 ft); sweeping views of the green hills and quiltlike farmlands of the Lehigh Valley; scramble around rocks to find a cave with a short, climbable chimney

PPR008

Location: 40.6071662902832, -75.9396667480469

Head WSW past large helipad used for firefighting operations; turn L onto blue-blazed trail

PPR009

Location: 40.6061668395996, -75.9363327026367

Trail parallels Furnace Creek in damp hemlock forest

PPR011

Location: 40.5914993286133, -75.9428329467774

Stay straight; turn L in .1 mile and return to trailhead

PPR010

Location: 40.5936660766602, -75.9465026855469

Exit woods; stay L along reservoir to wide gravel road

PPR006

Location: 40.5972366333008, -75.9315414428711

Pulpit Rocks (1,582 ft.); great views to ENE

southwestern cairns

Geyser

Rocky Mountain National Park

mac and cheese

best ultralight packs | gossamer gear murmur

Ridley Creek State Park

Philadelphia Trails

Re-energize yourself on the White-Yellow Loop, a mellow 4.4-mile lasso to a serene picnic spot in this small park just 16 miles from center city.

Philadelphia Trails

Spend a sunny afternoon on this 6.1-miler hike among the hardwoods of French Creek State Park, skirting two lakes with pleasant picnic spots.

View from the AT in PA

Philadelphia Trails

This 8.8-mile, out-and-back wooded hike runs the spine of the Appalachian Mountains to one of the most remote AT shelters in Pennsylvania.

Appalachian Trail

Most of this easy 7-mile hike passes under a tree-shaded ridgeline that insulates dayhikers from the outside world.

Arkansas Trails

Tough day at work? Reenergize yourself on this quick but steep 2.5-mile hike or trail run to the top of the city's landmark peak.

The AT Tree

Appalachian Trail

Hop on the Appalachian Trail at its halfway point and navigate creek crossings and a steep boulder scramble to above-the-trees vistas of Michaux State Forest.

Illinois Canyon

Dip into 7 water-carved canyons on this 7.3-mile lollipop loop through the quieter side Starved Rock State Park. Soaring cascades (and a steep, stair-step climb) will take your breath away.

Red Rock Slabs

Hike rolling grassland punctuated by towering redrock formations to a ridge overlooking the Front Range on this 6-mile loop just minutes from the city.

starved

This beautiful 4.3-mile loop adjacent to the Illinois River adds welcome relief--waterfalls, sculpted sandstone canyons, and impressive overlooks--to the usually pancake-flat landscape.