Trails in Pennsylvania That Will Leave You Breathless

Some trails give you a view. Pennsylvania’s best trails give you a moment—the kind that stops you mid-step, just to take it all in.

From rocky overlooks and waterfall-carved paths to quiet forest corridors that seem to stretch forever, these hikes deliver more than fresh air. If you’re searching for the best hiking trails in Pennsylvania, scenic overlooks, or bucket-list-worthy outdoor adventures, this list is your starting point. But don’t expect a perfectly polished path—this is PA, after all. A little grit comes with the grandeur.

Out here, it’s not about chasing miles or checking boxes. It’s about that breath you didn’t realize you were holding… and the one you finally let go when the view hits. The kind of trail that reminds you why you came—and maybe leaves you a little different on the way back.

Because in Pennsylvania, you don’t just explore the outdoors. You feel it.

Top Hiking Trails and Paths

Schuylkill River Trail

Philadelphia County
The Schuylkill River Trail in southeastern PA currently spans 75 miles of mixed-use terrain, including a 30 mile stretch from Philadelphia to Parkerford that’s perfect for a day-long hike or a multi-day expedition. In Hamburg, trail users can access a scenic, seven-mile stretch to Auburn in Schuylkill County, while a 4.5-mile on-road section in Birdsboro includes old railroads offering beautiful views of the heritage area. The trail is a great way to enjoy the outdoors!

The Great Shamokin Path

Armstrong County
Tracing a section of the abandoned Rural Valley Railroad corridor, the Great Shamokin Path parallels the Cowanshannock Creek for 3.5 miles. Escape the heat of a warm summer’s day beneath the trail’s canopy and be on the lookout for a variety of animals, especially when on an early morning hike. Once a major trail connecting the two largest Native American towns in Pennsylvania, the trail now offers hikers beautiful views of western Pennsylvania.

Standing Stone Trail

Mifflin County
The 84-mile scenic Standing Stone Trail traverses central PA ridges and valleys from Cowans Gap State Park in the south to Rothrock State Forest’s Detweiler Natural Area and the Mid-State Trail in the north. More than 80 percent of the trail crosses through state-owned forest and PA Game Commission game lands. Near Mount Union, be sure to climb the popular Thousand Steps portion of the trail (or 1,036 steps to be exact!) that was used by silica quarry workers almost 100 years ago and offers great views of the mountains and the surrounding area.

Biking Trails in Pennsylvania

Path of The Flood Trail

Cambria County
This 14-mile, point-to-point trail nestled in the Laurel Highlands was named “Pennsylvania Trail of the Year” in 2025 by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. While the Path of the Flood Trail is perfect for all outdoor recreation, such as hiking, birdwatching, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing, it is most commonly used as a premier biking trail. Mixing history and adventure, you’ll start at the site of the 1889 Johnstown Flood, fight through tough terrain along a scenic pathway, and finish your expedition at the Johnstown Flood Museum. With even greater historical significance, the Path of the Flood is part of the 9/11 Memorial Trail, a corridor connecting national sites of remembrance across states affected by this national tragedy.

Pine Creek Rail Trail

Tioga County
Recognized by USA Today as one of the “10 Best Places to Take a Bike Tour" and named DCNR's 2026 Pennsylvania Trail of the Year, the Pine Creek Rail Trail offers outdoor adventurers a spectacular, 62-mile journey through Pine Creek Gorge, better known as the “Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania.” This historic path, once used to transport freight by train from Wellsboro to Williamsport, is also perfect for a relaxing hike with its scenic overlooks. The trail has a small grade, only around two percent, and runs mostly uphill. Even equestrians can join the fun with a section of the trail designed specifically for horses.

The Allegrippis Trails

Huntingdon County
Designed by mountain bikers and built by the International Mountain Bicycling Association, the stacked loops and 36 miles of single track trails that form Allegrippis Trails System at Raystown Lake is a mountain biker's paradise! The almost endless combination of routes ranges from easy to moderate to most difficult and is designed for outdoor enthusiasts of all biking levels. Be sure to take in the stunning views of Raystown Lake and local wildlife along the ride. At nearby Trough Creek State Park, park your bike and pull on some hiking boots to trek to Balanced Rock, a boulder that has hung on the side of a cliff for thousands of years — and Rainbow Falls, a waterfall along the footpath leading to Balanced Rock.

D&H Trail At Lehigh Gorge State Park

Susquehanna County

The varied trail surfaces and beautiful surroundings are what make the unique D&H Rail Trail a treat for any outdoor enthusiast. This 38-mile pathway traces the route of the historic Delaware and Hudson Railroad, a small but vital line during the 1800s. The multi-use trail runs for several miles along the Lackawanna River and alternates between tree-lined sections and open stretches with vestiges of the region’s coal-mining heritage.

Heritage Rail Trail County Park

York County
The 21.5-mile Heritage Rail Trail runs from the City of York to the Maryland border and includes the Howard Tunnel, four railroad bridges, New Freedom Train Station, and the Hanover Junction Train Station, all listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as an operating tourism train along 10 miles of track. This ADA-accessible rail trail was once a prime target for the Confederate Army prior to the Battle of Gettysburg. Known for its historic roots, the trail offers visitors a unique hiking experience.

Great Allegheny Passage

Allegheny, Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland Counties
One of the nation’s most popular rail trails, the Great Allegheny Passage begins in Pittsburgh and crosses the border into Maryland, eventually ending in the nation’s capital. Complete from Pittsburgh to Cumberland, MD, the 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage® connects with the 184.5-mile C&O Canal Towpath to create a 333-mile non-motorized route between Pittsburgh and Washington, DC. — making it the longest unpaved bike path on the East Coast.

If you want to make your final destination along the passage to Pittsburgh, you’ll find the iconic Point State Park at the western terminus of the popular rail trail. The reward for this long ride will be the payoff view and the iconic fountain landmark, as well as the other history contained within Point State Park.

Montour Trail

Cecil 
The 63-mile, multi-use Montour Trail system follows the route of the former Montour Railroad and Peters Creek Branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad between Coraopolis and Clairton in suburban Pittsburgh, making it one of the nation’s longest non-motorized suburban rail trails. The trail connects to Pittsburgh International Airport, the Panhandle Trail, and the Great Allegheny Passage, which stretches more than 330 miles from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C.

Jakes Rocks Epic Mountain Bike Trail System

Warren
The Trails at Jakes Rocks is a system of stack-loop mountain biking trails constructed on the Allegheny National Forest. These professionally designed and constructed trails provide opportunities for all skill levels and ages, winding through natural boulders and scenic forested landscapes, and offering peaceful, beautiful outdoor recreation and exercise.

Scenic Trails for Breathtaking Views

Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail

New Florence
Enjoy the picturesque Youghiogheny River and Laurel Mountain during a hike along the 70-mile Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail. The trail offers both challenging sections for seasoned backpackers, with several steep, rugged areas, and reasonably easy, level sections for casual hikers. A must-stop, regardless of hiking prowess, is Ohiopyle State Park with its breathtaking views and waterfalls to explore.

North Country National Scenic Trail

Marienville
The Allegheny National Forest, PA’s only designated national forest, is an outdoor enthusiast’s wonderland with hiking and mountain biking trails, scenic views, and all sorts of terrain to explore along its more than 200 miles of trails. At 96.3 miles, the North Country National Scenic Trail is the longest trail in the forest and is one of three designated National Scenic Trails in PA. This trail takes visitors to vistas of the Allegheny Reservoir, passing through rock outcroppings, open hardwoods, old-growth forests, and stands of hemlock.

Pole Steeple Trail at Pine Grove Furnace State Park

Gardners
Nestled deep in Michaux State Forest near Chambersburg, Pine Grove Furnace State Park is the perfect spot for an outdoor adventure! Featuring four miles of looping trails, scenic overlooks, and Laurel and Fuller lakes, the park’s wooded, mountainous atmosphere attracts hikers of all skill levels. A portion of the Pole Steeple Trail, which also goes through Michaux State Forest, is a steep, 1.4-mile trail that ends at the Pole Steeple Overlook, a quartzite outcropping that overlooks the entire state park and the surrounding valleys.

Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen State Park

Benton
A National Natural Landmark, Ricketts Glen State Park is best known for the Falls Trail System, a difficult 7.2-mile trail that offers views of 22 gorgeous, named waterfalls. Ranging from 11 feet to the towering 94-foot Ganoga Falls, the waterfalls are each unique and provide tranquil resting stops along the rocky trail. Other trails traverse the park’s 13,193 acres, including the short Beach Trail that runs by the park’s swimming area and the Grand View Trail, which leads to the highest point on Red Rock Mountain. Each of the 26 miles of trails offers something different and is well worth the challenge.

Quehanna Trail

Penfield
The Quehanna Trail is a 72.6-mile loop hiking trail in the Moshannon and Elk State Forests. The trail passes through some of the wildest and most beautiful country Pennsylvania has to offer. The main orange-blazed trail begins on the western end at Parker Dam State Park. From Parker Dam, the trail goes east into the Quehanna Wild Area toward Karthaus and Piper, then north toward Sinnemahoning, and finally west through the Marion Brooks Natural Area back to Parker Dam.