5 of the Best Hikes in Pennsylvania

Hiking in Pennsylvania is both a pleasure and a pain. PA’s hiking trails offer great vistas, beautiful terrain, and weather that cooperates more often than not. But man, those rocks! Most hiking trails in Pennsylvania feature small, ankle-twisting rocks. So much so, that Appalachian Trail thru-hikers have dubbed the state “Rocksylvania.” But don’t let that discourage you. Get a good pair of boots, watch your footing, and enjoy the wonders of this gorgeous state. The best hikes in Pennsylvania are waiting for you!

I have lived and hiked in Pennsylvania all my life and it’s a hobby that I have now passed on to my two young daughters. Having explored most of the parks and trails in PA, I’ve listed five of my favorite hikes below.

Here are 5 of the best hikes in Pennsylvania and my personal favorites as a local.

As it goes in all of the destinations we share, please practice good trail etiquette and remember to Leave No Trace. This means packing out all of your garbage (including toilet paper), being respectful to others on busy trails, and following the established rules.

Map of the Best Hikes in Pennsylvania

The Best Hikes in Pennsylvania

1. The Pinnacle Trail, Hawk Mountain, Hamburg, PA

• Length: 9.1-mile loop
• Elevation Gain: 1,236 ft.
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Permit Required: None
• Pets: Allowed (on leash)

The Pinnacle Trail at Hawk Mountain is a perfect example of all the characteristics the best hikes in Pennsylvania have to offer: challenging, rewarding, and exceedingly beautiful. The Pinnacle Trail itself starts low in a valley next to a water reservoir. (Park your car in the lot next to the reservoir.) Tie your boots extra tight (remember those rocks we talked about!) and begin the 9-mile loop trail. As you ascend the side of Hawk Mountain you’ll see quaint, Amish-inspired farms in the distance and a patchwork of crops extending in all directions. If hiking in the summer, the plush treeline will obscure most of the outlooks, but once you reach a clearing you’ll be surprised by how high you’ve climbed in such a short time. (Your lungs won’t be surprised, though.)

Roughly one-third of the way up the trail you’ll arrive at Pulpit Rock, the hike’s first true vista. If it’s a nice day you may find a bit of a crowd gathered at this sharp outcropping of rocks. On other days, it might just be you and the views. At this point, if you proceed father down a short alternate trail your eyes will adjust to a strange sight: three or four massive telescopes populate the small clearing next to Pulpit Rock, making this the perfect place for stargazing. (Note: the telescopes are the property of an astrological society and are not open for public use. Either way, their placement on the mountain makes for a surreal scene.)

Once you take in the views at Pulpit Rock you’ll reconnect with the loop trail on your way to the trail’s namesake outlook, The Pinnacle. The trail then dips into a series of moderate switchbacks followed by more rocks. (Of course.) This section of the trail will require you to literally rock-hop from rock to rock, which makes the Pinnacle Trail a bad choice for dogs unless you can strap Fido to your back.

You’ll know you’re near the Pinnacle Outlook when you approach a large, conical-shaped pile of rocks, placed by hikers that have come before you. From there, you’ll rock-hop out roughly 100 yards to the Pinnacle Outlook. The view does not disappoint. Farmland extends for miles in all directions. If you’re lucky, a few hawks will be circling silently in the distance, effortlessly riding the wind. Far off, blue mountains frame the horizon, and cars twinkle noiselessly from a highway far below. This is a great spot to enjoy lunch and soak in the view.

Once you depart The Pinnacle you’ll double-back the way you came and reconnect with the loop again. About a mile into the loop, the trail splits. The right path is the Appalachian Trail and leads to New Jersey, and eventually, Mt. Katahdin, Maine. Instead, take the trail to the left, but not before noticing the grassy heliport located at the trail’s fork. The rest of the loop is easy in comparison to the strenuous uphill start. A gentle path (without rocks!) descends gradually next to a small creek on the right and thick rhododendron bushes on the left. You’ll eventually complete the loop and return to the parking lot next to the water reservoir.

2. Falls Trail, Ricketts Glen State Park, Benton, PA

• Length: 6.6-mile loop
• Elevation Gain: 1,010 ft.
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Permit Required: None
• Pets: Allowed (on leash)

Frequently cited as one of the best hikes in the United States and definitely one of the best hikes in Pennsylvania, Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen State Park is an absolute gem. Boasting 21 waterfalls, this 6.6-mile loop trail is a photographer’s dream.

Enter Ricketts Glen State Park’s main entrance and follow signs to the Falls Trail parking lot and trailhead. The hike is mostly a straight-up-and-down affair. Trail maintenance has done a wonderful job placing rocks like stepping stones, which allows easy access to the views without stressing about taking a major spill. (Although, be sure to watch your footing in the rain as the rocks are prone to getting slippery.)

I enjoy this hike best in the summer. You’re allowed to wade out into the streams and stand under the waterfalls. Having a 94-foot fall (the park’s biggest) crash over your head is a mystical experience sure to be the highlight of your trip. Take your time and enjoy each waterfall. The beauty of Pennsylvania is on full display here.

Once you reach the bottom of your descent, turn around and begin the equally enjoyable hike up. After a summer hike, be sure to cool off in the sparkling waters of Lake Jean located near the park’s main office. On-site camping is available to extend your stay. And with so much to see and do at Ricketts Glen, one day might not be enough.

3. Canyon Vista Trail, Worlds End State Park, Forksville, PA

• Length: 3.9-mile loop
• Elevation Gain: 754 ft.
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Permit Required: None
• Pets: Allowed (on leash)

Located roughly 45 minutes west of Falls Trail, Worlds End State Park is quieter and less frequented than Ricketts Glen State Park, but no less stunning which is why it makes this list of the best hikes in Pennsylvania. I hiked and camped there this past summer with my family for the first time and was very impressed by the clearly marked trails and amazing outlooks.

Worlds End features not one trail, but rather a series of trails that criss-cross the park and is now one of my favorite Pennsylvania hiking spots. My family and I completed the Canyon Vista Trail, a 3.9-mile loop trail that conveniently starts in the park’s campground. (It should be noted that the campground and facilities were immaculate.)

The first thing you’ll notice is the lack of crowds at Worlds End. For those of you that like to be alone with your thoughts when you’re out in nature, this is the park for you. The Canyon Vista Trail is another classic best hike in Pennsylvania: narrow, and then suddenly expansive. Gentle, and then quickly demanding. The rewards are plentiful here, including the Canyon Vista Outlook, the park’s main prize and signature view. The Canyon Vista Outlook boasts the dramatic meeting point of two converging mountains and showcases the best of the area known to locals as the Pennsylvania Wilds.

No trip to Worlds End State Park would be complete without watching the sunset from the High Knob Outlook, located a short drive from the park’s main office. End your night with some local fare from one of the many charming restaurants that surround the park. Sit back and relax knowing that you’ve just experienced the best of Worlds End State Park, and some of the best hiking Pennsylvania has to offer.

4. Shades of Death Trail, Hickory Run State Park, Pocono Mountains, White Haven, PA

• Length: 2.2 miles
• Elevation Gain: 282 ft.
• Difficulty: Easy
• Permit Required: None
• Pets: Allowed

Don’t let the name scare you. Shades of Death Trail is an easy 2.2 mile loop trail at the base of the Pocono Mountains. This hike features a well-marked path through a rhododendron grove and a beautiful waterfall near the trailhead. This hike is popular and can get crowded early, so plan accordingly. While at Hickory Run State Park be sure to check out the surreal boulder field, one of the largest on the east coast.

5. Mount Joy Trail to Mount Misery Trail Loop, Valley Forge National Park, King of Prussia, PA

• Length: 3.8 miles
• Elevation Gain: 718 ft.
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Permit Required: None
• Pets: Allowed on leash

Valley Forge National Park is a multi-use park located just outside of Philadelphia. The park is a big draw for Revolutionary War history buffs, as Valley Forge marks the spot where George Washington and the Continental Army spent a brutal winter encampment in 1777-1778. The 3.8-mile Mount Joy to Mount Misery Loop Trail provides hikers with adequate elevation changes and scenic views of the rolling green hills that surround Philadelphia. Start your hike from the Yellow Springs Trail parking lot and break a nice sweat while letting your mind step back in time.

For more hiking trails in Pennsylvania, check out this article on the Visit PA website.

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Have you been hiking in this region? What do you think are the best hikes in Pennsylvania? Let us know in the comments below! For more day hikes in the US, be sure to visit our hiking homepage on Bearfoot Theory