Hike Mount Minsi

This is a great 5.5 mile hike at the Delaware Water Gap. You follow the Appalachian Trail the entire time (white marked trail) as it climbs to the top on Mt Minsi. There are multiple viewpoints on your way up that provide a great view of the water gap as well as some very picturesque trail points. The trail can be crowded especially on nice days.

From the parking lot, the trail head is very easy to locate as you pass the kiosk on your drive in. The white trail starts off as more of an emergency access road that leads you around a bend to a nice lake on your right hand side. Be sure to look to your left and even climb down the rocks for a small waterfall. Continue on the trail (emergency access road) and be on the lookout to your left as the white trail cuts off from the emergency access road. From this point on the trail is very easy to follow as the white marks are visible on the trees and some rocks.

The first overlook you get to has a lot of traffic noise as Rt 80 is below (only time you hear it). There are multiple points of this hike where rhododendron line both sides of the trail almost making walls. Continuing through the rhododendron you will come to a part where you have to cross a stream with a tiny waterfall. This is a great spot to take a little break, eat a little snack/have some water and relax. When ready, proceed on, until it looks as though the trail is leading you right over the edge of the mountain. This is another great photo spot overlooking the water gap. Scramble up the rocks on your right (nothing difficult all part of the trail) and the trail will level off a little before making the final steep push upwards.

When you arrive at the “top” there are a few option, continue forward on the white trail where there will be more viewpoints or turn right and follow the emergency access road back down (more gradual then the hike up but not marked) to the parking lot. If you are doing the 5.5 mile round trip hike you would take the emergency access road back down