Pennsylvania Trails

The climbs on the Black Forest Trail are serious—but then again, so is the scenery.

Get the scoop on upstate Pennsylvania from Pine Creek Outfitters.

New adventure company Crooked Roots Adventures is getting people out on the river.

Colton Point State Park, Pennsylvania

Explore the northern Alleghenies' hardwoods on this 12.8-mile trek.

Start on the 1,000 Steps Trail and then continue up Jacks Mountain to Shorb's Summit for a grand vista.

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.

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.

Hike the backbone of eastern Pennsylvania on this moderate 10.8-mile round-trip along the AT, which visits craggy overlooks with stellar views of eagles and hawks.

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.

Pass 21 waterfalls on this 6.2-mile, five-star loop through a wrinkled ravine and tranquil forest in Ricketts Glen State Park.

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.

Explore canal relics and tucked-away overlooks of the Mason-Dixon Trail on this 3.6-mile dayhike in Holtwood Environmental Preserve.

This 7.9-mile stretch of Pennsylvania's historic 140-mile Horse-Shoe Trail boasts lookout-tower views, isolated terrain, and plenty of wildlife.

This 5.8-miler in Allegheny County's sprawling North Park visits maple and oak forests, babbling creeks, and a scenic overlook.

Cross rushing creek, natural rock bridges, and a rugged gorge on this challenging 11.4-mile daytrip in McConnell's Mill State Park.

Discover one of Pennsylvania’s wild secrets in the Elk State Forest.

Tour lava beds, painted dunes, and a dormant volcano on this 12-mile hike in Lassen Volcanic National Park.

This 6.4-miler loops through the lush forest surrounding Minister Creek, passing glacial boulders, wooded caves, and a plethora of streams.

A 10.3-mile out-and-back (or a 5.4-mile shuttle), this peaceful walk along the Monongahela River wanders through remnants of Pittsburgh's industrial past and present.

Discover the roots of the oil industry: western Pennsylvania.

Witness southwest Pennsylvania at is wildest on a three-day, 31-mile shuttle along and over river valleys.

This 10-miler treks through babbling creeks, along an unending series of up-and-down slopes, and under the cover of white pine and hemlock forest.

Perfect for trail runners, mountain bikers, equestrians, and dayhikers, the trails at Promised Land State Park offer diverse outdoor opportunities at the base of the Poconos.

Hike from pine plantation to mountain-top mansion on this moderate, 4.6-mile trek that climbs to a trail network atop South Mountain in Pennsylvania's Blue Ridge range.

Climb a few of Pittsburgh's 700-plus stairways on this 3.2-mile urban loop that begins in the trendy South Side neighborhood and tops out with a skyscraper city view from a cemetery atop Mount Oliver.

Ascend 2,000 feet in 2.5 miles to tag this 10,457-foot volcano with sweeping views of Mt. Shasta and Lake Almanor.

Climb above the Allegheny River and see its serpentine course from a bluff-top vantage on this seven-mile point-to-point in Harrison Hills County Park.

Follow yellow blazes for a 10-mile section across creek-laced woodlands. The route crosses a covered footbridge and is inter- spersed with pastoral vistas along a flat farm road.

Follow yellow blazes for a 10-mile section across creek-laced woodlands. The route crosses a covered footbridge and is inter- spersed with pastoral vistas along a flat farm road.

Hike along a gorge on this hidden, seven-mile gem in the City of Brotherly Love.

Just an hour and a half from Pittsburgh, this easy 3.2-mile loop rolls through forests bustling with migratory warblers, passes the spillway of the Yellow Creek dam, and tours the shore of Yellow Creek Lake.

Enjoy “the best waterfall hike in the East” on this 3.4-mile loop in Ricketts Glen State Park, which travels past 21 named cascades.

Chase canyon vistas through stands of old-growth hemlock.

Chase canyon vistas through stands of old-growth hemlock.

With all of the trail options in Pennsylvania's Michaux State Forest, it's hard to pick just one.