Middle Smithfield Township, Pennsylvania

Hawk Falls is located in Hickory Run State Park, Pennsylvania in the Poconos Mountains. The trail is mostly downhill, with some slippery sections so wear adequate shoes and take caution when you approach the falls. A rock outcrop at the top of the falls makes for a great lookout point. The 0.7 ou...

Boulder Field is easily found following signs in Hickory Run State Park and has its own parking lot. Boulder Field is a small piece of landscape leftover from the last ice advance thousands of years ago. It covers an area of 400 feet wide by 1,800 feet long and about 10 feet deep. Boulders rang...

This is a relatively easy hike through Hacklebarney State Park that is great for families with younger children, rock scrambling, photography, and just hanging out in nature. There are two different ways to explore Hacklebarney, either by staying on the packed gravel path or by following the bank...

The Pinchot Trail, built by the Sierra Club's Northeast Pennsylvania Group and located in the southern corner of Lackawanna County, is an excellent warmup or beginner backpacking trail.  The trail systems totals 22 miles but can be broken up by the North or South Loops. The North loop is mostly f...

Start out on Ridge Trail (yellow blazes), found at the rear of the parking lot. Shortly, you will come to a stream crossing, followed by a set of wooden steps. Just before the next stream, turn left following the white blazes. This section of the trail makes a moderately rocky descent, as it foll...

This is a simple, short hike to a fantastic vista looking out over the Lehigh River Gorge. The trailhead for the hike to Tank Hollow Vista is along Behrens Road just outside of Jim Thorpe, PA. Most of the hike is on state game lands. If the gate is open from the first lot, you can shorten this h...

The trailhead and parking are available by the park office or along PA 534 by the nature center and amphitheater. This trail is beautiful and seemed to change around every bend. Sand Spring Run flows alongside the entire trail. Rock formations and rhododendron mix with remains of a logging mill a...

This popular hike starts out on the Appalachian Trail (AT, white blazes). You begin on a boardwalk that crosses over a marsh, then you leave the boardwalk and enter a forested area. At around 1.4 miles, follow a bicycle path, Canal Road, then turn right, cross over a bridge, and take a left throu...

The trailhead parking is at the end of Timberbrook Road, before the road enters Camp Winnebago (Boy Scouts). I hiked this in a clockwise directions starting on the Timberbrook Trail (yellow markers).  After about 1 mile the trail ends at a junction with the Four Birds Trail (white markers).  Turn...

The Francis E. Walter Dam, located in White Haven, Pennsylvania, is truly an amazing location. Constructed in 1961, Francis E. Walter Dam, has prevented nearly $180 million in flood damages to the Lehigh River Valley. The reservoir was designated for recreation use by Congress in 1988. While kaya...

Hank's Pond loop can be accessed from the south at the corner of Clinton road and Van Orden road or from the north, parking at the lot on Stephens road.  I hiked from the south on this trip.  Follow the wide trail known as Hank's East trail marked with white blazes.  Soon you will reach a trail c...

The Four Birds Trail is about 19 miles long and is a great thru hike or can be done in sections as out and back hikes or part of loop hikes with other trails.  Starting from the north, the trail ascends gradually over easy terrain until you reach a cliff ridge.  There are several good view points...

Lehigh Gap was formed by the Lehigh River carving a large hole in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. One side is owned and operated by the Lehigh Gap Nature Center and has some great hikes, but this side is government-owned. Parking for this portion of the Appalachian Travel is up a litt...

It was a rainy day, which brings along mud (but I think mountain biking is better in the rain and mud anyways).Enter the trail by going through the county parking lot and to the left end under the bridge. The trail starts along the tracks and you can admire the restored old rail cars. Cross ove...

This is a fun hike that is great for the entire family. The trails are really well maintained and Tripod Rock is a pretty amazing feature to check out. You can hike to the rock and follow your steps back to the parking lot for a 3 mile round trip or continue along the trail for a 4.4 mile loop. I...

From Warwick Road, parking at the northernmost road side parking area, cross the road, and the Terrace Pond North trail (marked with blue blazes) begins as a steady climb until you gain a ridge that offers some great views for several miles. Eventually, you'll reach a power line where you turn ri...