State College, Pennsylvania

Looking for the best hiking in State College? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around State College. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near State College

  • Mill Creek, Pennsylvania

    Thousand Steps Trail to Dinky Shed

    1.56 mi / 942 ft gain
    The 1000 Steps Trail is part of the Standing Stone Trail as it travels up Jack's Mountain in State Game Lands Number 112.  There happens to be 1,037 steps but who's counting!  This is a great workout hike with many great views and an interesting piece of history if you hang a left at the top and ...
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  • Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania

    Stroll along the Rapid Run Nature Trail

    1.09 mi
    There are multiple ways to access and start the trail, there is a small parking area near the intersection of McCall Dam Road and Route 192 or you can access from the other end near the beach at Halfway Lake.  The trail is well marked with yellow blazes and easy to fall.  This is a simple hike, b...
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  • New Bloomfield, Pennsylvania

    Hike the Buffalo Ridge Trail

    2.5 mi
    This hike is marked as one of the most difficult at Little Buffalo, but we didn't find it to be overly exhausting. For someone that is used to hiking, this trail is a breeze. There are a few semi-steep inclines, but for the most part the trail is easy to navigate. There are picnic tables located ...
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  • Driftwood, Pennsylvania

    Fred Woods Trail

    5.0
    4.56 mi / 879 ft gain
    Fred Woods Trail is a loop trail that is dog friendly (on-leash) with scenic surroundings located near Emporium, Pennsylvania.
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  • Benezette, Pennsylvania

    Photograph Elk at the Elk Country Visitor Center

    5.0
    The aptly named Pennsylvania County (Elk County) is a must for anyone looking to understand why the PA Wilds logo looks the way it does. Setting aside a whole day is a must. It will be enough time for most, but for others, there will never be enough time.Depending on which direction you are comin...
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  • Emporium, Pennsylvania

    Drive Ridge Road in Elk State Forest

    3 mi
    A drive along Ridge Road will bring you to five scenic vistas looking out over remote Elk State Forest.  You can drive the road and simply stop at the vistas, or you can do an out and back hike from anywhere along the road. On my last visit, I parked at the southern most vista, Square Timber Vist...
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  • Waterville, Pennsylvania

    Hike the Lake Shore Trail at Little Pine State Park

    5.0
    5 mi
    Once you pass the famous Happy Acres Resort you better slow down. Coming up quickly on your right is the parking area for the Lake Shore Trail.The trails uses the Little Pine Creek damn as its starting point, which itself is a great place to sit and watch for birds, but to have the best experienc...
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  • Cammal, Pennsylvania

    Bob Webber Trail

    4.0
    3.63 mi / 1424 ft gain
    To get to the Bob Webber Trail, start by heading up one of the most beautiful valleys in Pennsylvania: Pine Creek. Shortly after Waterville jump onto 414 and enjoy the drive past Cammal. About one mile after Cammal you will come to the Ross Run parking area on the left and you are there. The Bob ...
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  • Cammal, Pennsylvania

    Hike the Golden Eagle Trail

    5.0
    9.2 mi / 4382 ft gain
    The Golden Eagle Trail, otherwise known as the GET, is a challenging day hike north of Cammal, Pennsylvania. Hikers have the option of taking the loop clockwise although most would say counter-clockwise is the best. The climb to the first summit, which is the most challenging, brings hikers throu...
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  • Lock Haven, Pennsylvania

    Hike the Ruth Will Trail

    3 mi
    Their is a large gravel parking area about 12 miles north of Haneyville on route 44.  Parking is on the east side of route 44.The trailhead is on the opposite side of the road, follow the trails blue blazes right to hike the loop counter clockwise.  The trail initially parallels route 44.The trai...
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  • Brown Township, Pennsylvania

    Hike the Gas Line Ridge Loop

    3.8 mi / 900 ft gain
    Park at the end of Naval Run Road, at the end of the road to the right, follow the sign for Lance Raisch Trail marked with yellow blazes.  This is the first of three trails that this loop will use.  The Lance Raisch Trail climbs in elevation along Naval Run and after about a quarter mile will ins...
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  • Brown Township, Pennsylvania

    Hike the Hemlock Mountain Loop

    5.0
    6.48 mi / 1200 ft gain
    The trail starts where Naval Run Road ends. Follow the the blue blazes into Naval Run. After crossing Naval Run continue right up an old logging skid trail along the run. The trail will intersect with the Black Forest Trail at Naval Run Falls.The trail will follow the orange blazes of Black Fo...
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