Best Trails of Pennsylvania

This list represents the most popular trails in Pennsylvania (learn more about Top Trails). Use this list to plan your next Pennsylvania outdoor trip. Select a state and/or activity below to find even more top trails.

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#1. Appalachian Trail: The Pinnacle

Walk the Appalachian Trail for spectacular views of Hawk Mountain, the Lehigh Valley, and Blue Rocks. Many Appalachian Trail thru-hikers claim the views at the Pinnacle are the best views on the Penns…

From the guidebook "Hike America: Pennsylvania"
Hamburg , PA - Hiking - 8.7 miles

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#2. Appalachian National Scenic Trail - Pennsylvania Section

This 2,155-mile national scenic trail from Maine to Georgia cuts across southeastern Pennsylvania between New Jersey and the Mason-Dixon Line at Maryland. The Appalachian Trail (AT) traverses ridges a…

From the guidebook "Hiking Pennsylvania"
Rouzerville , PA - Hiking - 232 miles

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#3. Appalachian Trail: Bake Oven Knob to Lehigh Gap

This hike from Bake Oven Knob to Lehigh Gap is one of the more scenic in the state, although the scenery varies considerably - from hawks floating on mountain updrafts to the stark and stunted landsca…

From the guidebook "Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Mid-Atlantic States"
Lehighton , PA - Hiking - 9.5 miles

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#4. Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail

Spanning five counties, this premier long-distance trail rolls across Laurel Ridge. It ranks as one of the best in the state—and the nation—for its natural offering, its accessibility, and its ameniti…

From the guidebook "Hiking Pennsylvania"
Johnstown , PA - Hiking - 70.1 miles

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#5. Appalachian Trail: Hawk Mountain to PA 309

Hawks and rocks. Hikers have plenty of opportunities to look up for one and down for the other on this 13.3-mile stroll up and along the Blue Mountain ridge. The AT skirts the side of Hawk Mountain…

From the guidebook "Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Mid-Atlantic States"
Eckville , PA - Hiking - 13.5 miles

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#6. West Rim Trail

This spectacular long-distance linear trail for the most part hugs the West Rim of Pine Creek Gorge—the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania. The trail passes through relaxing woods and serves up striking vie…

From the guidebook "Hiking Pennsylvania"
Wellsboro , PA - Hiking - 30.5 miles

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#7. Wissahickon Creek Gorge, Fairmount Park

In northwestern Philadelphia, 8,700-acre Fairmount Park enfolds the spectacular setting and outdoor recreation along 7 miles and 1,800 acres of Wissahickon Creek Gorge. Despite its city location, the…

From the guidebook "Hiking Pennsylvania"
Philadelphia , PA - Hiking - 11.2 miles

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#8. Wicked Wissahickon Valley

This is a stellar ride that offers some nice singletrack in the heart of the city. Proximity to the city has both advantages and disadvantages. Food, fuel, lodging, and nightlife are in abundance. Sec…

From the guidebook "Mountain Biking Pennsylvania"
Conshohocken , PA - Mountain Biking - 13.4 miles

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#9. Ringing Rocks

Ringing Rocks Park has to be one of the strangest parks in Bucks County. The main attraction is an eight-acre field of huge reddish boulders, a peculiar enough sight in itself. Odder still is the fact…

From the guidebook "Walking Bucks County, Pennsylvania"
Upper Black Eddy , PA - Walking

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#10. Appalachian Trail: Along Blue Mountain Ridge

On this 10-mile rock hop along the Blue Mountain ridge, history-minded hikers walk a path blazed by Native Americans, interpreters, missionaries, and soldiers. The focal point is Pilger Ruh (Pilgrim'…

From the guidebook "Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Mid-Atlantic States"
Marstown , PA - Hiking - 10.4 miles

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#11. Appalachian National Scenic Trail - Pennsylvania Section (Backpacking)

The Appalachian Trail (AT) is the most famous and popular trail in the world; it is synonymous with backpacking. Not surprisingly, it is the most heavily hiked trail in Pennsylvania. Although the AT o…

From the guidebook "Backpacking Pennsylvania: 37 Great Trails"
Stroudsburg , PA - Hiking - 232 miles

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#12. Tohickon Valley Trail

This hike tours the north canyon wall of Tohickon Creek, passing through Tohickon Valley Park and the High Rocks Area of Ralph Stover State Park. Find overviews and limited access to bending Tohickon…

From the guidebook "Hiking Pennsylvania"
Philadelphia , PA - Hiking - 7.3 miles

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#13. Valley Forge to Philadelphia

This is a place for a pleasant ride, but not necessarily a fast one. The trail enjoys heavy use, so expect to share it with many other bicyclists, as well as walkers, runners, and rollerbladers. The b…

From the guidebook "Short Bike Rides in Eastern Pennsylvania"
Valley Forge , PA - Road Biking - 44 miles

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#14. Ghost Town Trail

A truly historic and casual ride along the beautiful Black Lick Creek, this trail has the remains of five ghost towns along its course as well as evidence of coal mines and iron furnaces. After discov…

From the guidebook "Mountain Biking Pennsylvania"
Dilltown , PA - Mountain Biking - 23.4 miles

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#15. Lehigh Gorge State Park

The Lehigh Valley railroad parallels the Lehigh River through the stunning and scenic Lehigh River Gorge. The Lehigh Gorge State Park is a narrow area consisting of 4,548 acres along the Lehigh River…

From the guidebook "Mountain Biking the Greater Philadelphia Area"
Jim Thorpe , PA - Mountain Biking - 21.3 miles

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#16. Loyalsock Trail (Backpacking)

The LT is named after the beautiful Loyalsock Creek, a sizable stream known for its scenery and whitewater rapids. Loyalsock is a derivative of the Indian phrase Lawi-saquick, meaning “middle creek,”…

From the guidebook "Backpacking Pennsylvania: 37 Great Trails"
Dushore , PA - Hiking - 59.28 miles

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#17. Black Forest Trail (Backpacking)

The Black Forest Trail (BFT) was the first trail I ever backpacked. I borrowed my law school roommate’s tent, filled my pack with tuna and crackers, met a friend at the trailhead, and proceeded to hav…

From the guidebook "Backpacking Pennsylvania: 37 Great Trails"
Brown , PA - Hiking - 42 miles

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#18. Lancaster County Covered Bridges

Lancaster County leads the nation in the covered-bridge category, with twenty-four bridges still in use. This ride takes you through five of them and on a tour of scenic farmlands. The ride begins in…

From the guidebook "Short Bike Rides in Eastern Pennsylvania"
Lititz , PA - Road Biking - 33.3 miles

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#19. Fairmount Park Forbidden Drive

This is a great beginner ride that's suitable for the entire family. Your ride starts from the parking area on Bells Mills Road and takes the gentile gravel road down to Lincoln Drive and back. There…

From the guidebook "Mountain Biking the Greater Philadelphia Area"
Chestnut Hill , PA - Mountain Biking - 10 miles

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#20. Appalachian Trail: Caledonia State Park & Big Pine Flat Ridge

Caledonia was the name given to ancient Scotland by invading Romans, but hikers don't need to be Bravehearts to enjoy the first leg of the AT's ridge top route between Caledonia and Pine Grove Furnace…

From the guidebook "Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Mid-Atlantic States"
Chambersburg , PA - Hiking - 11.2 miles

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