Our region boasts four major backpacking trails:

 

 

· The West Rim Trail, picked by Outside Magazine in 1996 as the best hike in Pennsylvania, is a 30-mile blazed trail that generally follows the West Rim of the canyon from Ansonia to Blackwell.  HIKER SHUTTLE SERVICE AVAILABLE.

· The Susquehannock Trail is an 85-mile loop in Potter County that traverses a number of forest types and wet environments and includes a virgin hemlock stand.

· The Mid-State Trail is a lengthy (160+ miles) linear trail that ties into the West Rim Trail near Blackwell and heads south to Water Street, PA.

· The Black Forest Trail is a 45-mile loop in northwest Lycoming County near Slate Run.  It is very rugged in sections but has many rewarding views.

Photos by Curt Weinhold

A Hiker’s Paradise

 

Some of Pennsylvania’s finest hiking is found in the Pine Creek watershed.  The Keystone Trail Association Book,  Pennsylvania Hiking Trails, describes the trails of the region as “a hiking trail network that is the finest in Pennsylvania – surpassing even the Appalachian Trail system in total length (and some would say beauty) . . . you can lose yourself forever here, surrounded by wild beauty.” There are four major backpacking trails and a multitude of short hikes available.

Short Hikes:

 

· There are a great number of short to medium length blazed, and many more unblazed, hikes in the region – most of them on State Forest or State Park lands.

· Pine Creek Outfitters carries the definitive books and maps on these hikes.

· Short Hikes in Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon and Short Hikes in God’s Country.  Written by Chuck Dillon, these two books represent almost 1,500 miles of trails in the Tioga and Susquehannock State Forests.

· These books include hikes to waterfalls, breath-taking vistas, and pristine natural areas.  They are available from Pine Creek Outfitters at our store in Ansonia or by mail-order. 

 

Pine Creek Outfitters is located 11 miles west of Wellsboro on US Route 6 along Pine Creek at the entrance to the PA Grand Canyon, 1 mile from the north end of the WRT. Our base has on-site launching of boats and is conveniently located for nearby access to the Rail Trail and hiking trails.  We sell hiking maps and trail-guides and our staff is very knowledgeable about the area.  We are 3/4 mile west of the Ansonia bridge .  Look for our red canoes and rough-cut building.

I loved the deep, dark forest, where no foot

Of all-polluting man had left a trace.

I loved the pine trees with its rock-bound root,

And low, sweet whispers of a holier place.

 

- George Washington Sears (“Nessmuk”)

Forest Runes

Note about the Turkey Path: It is very steep and it’s a lot easier going down than it is going back up.  Heed the warnings and reminders along the way.  This trail has a poor safety record because people fail to take the warnings seriously!   There are many easier short hikes.

There are thousands of miles of trails.  Stop by our store, located in Ansonia, and we’ll help you find the best hikes in the area!  

Amphitheatre Falls (left) & Bohen Run Falls (above)

Mt. Tom Vista, Ansonia