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Pulpit Rock and The Pinnacle

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.5 (47)
  1. Areas
  2. PA
  3. …Philadelphia and Southeastern PA
  4. …Port Clinton
  5. Hamburg Reservoir
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“A hike to two rock outcroppings with impressive viewpoints of Pennsylvania farmland. ”

Charles Behnken
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Map Key

8.8

Miles

14.2

KM

Loop

1,610' 491 m

High

731' 223 m

Low

1,032' 314 m

Up

1,031' 314 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (3°)

26%

Max Grade (15°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Cave · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views

Overview

This is a loop hike using a section of the Appalachian Trail to climb to two rock outcroppings—Pulpit Rock and The Pinnacle—with impressive views of the surrounding Pennsylvania farm lands. Return to car via the trail alongside Furnace Creek.

Description

Start at Hamburg Reservoir parking lot and follow the gravel road (blue blazed) uphill, looking for the white AT blazes crossing the road. Take the white blazed AT (aka the Valley Rim Trail) to the right. After crossing the creek, you'll see a blue blazed road heading off to the left—this will be your return route.

Take AT to the right heading gradually up the side of the mountain. Near the top it gets very rocky—look for the rocks in a step formation. At the top you'll be rewarded by the Pulpit overlook. The road from the bottom also comes up here to the Lehigh Observatory and is an optional path to the top.

From the Pulpit, you'll see the Pennsylvania farmland, but take a look to the ridge line on the left. The trail will follow that to the Pinnacle. After taking in the view, proceed along the ridgeline (gets very, very rock in sections) to an enormous rock cairn. Take the blue trail from the cairn to the Pinnacle. The views are spectacular. Note: the rocks here form caves.

Leave the Pinnacle and continue on the AT, a nice woods road with no rocks (yeah!) until you come to an open grassy area used as a helipad. The blue blazed Furnace Creek Trail (another woods road) leaves the AT and heads down hill to the left.

Follow this nice trail through the hemlocks alongside Furnace Creek. This trail is almost entirely downhill and there are many great spots next to the creek to sit and listen to the water and reflect on the day. Eventually you'll come to Hamburg Reservoir. Continue on the road until you come back to the AT and the bridge over Furnace Creek. Return down the gravel road and back to the parking lot.

History & Background

Check out Blue Rocks campground for some additional information about the area.

Site of the Windsor Furnace included a forge, a grist mill, and a saw mill. Some foundations remain.

Contacts

Land Manager: Berks County Parks and Recreation

Shared By:

Charles Behnken with improvements by Chris Forrest
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 47 votes

#1

in Hamburg Reservoir

#195

Overall
  4.5 from 47 votes
5 Star
60%
4 Star
34%
3 Star
4%
2 Star
2%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Hamburg Reservoir

#2

in Pennsylvania

#195

Overall
136 Views Last Month
40,159 Since Jul 8, 2018
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
4%
20%
14%
60%
2%
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Photos

View from the Pinnacle. Looking southeast over the Pennsylvannia farm country. A rain/hail storm had just passed through (Nov).
Jul 8, 2018 near Hamburg, PA
Sunrise hike! Used headlamps to get there early!
Dec 6, 2016 near Hamburg, PA
View from Pulpit Rock.
Nov 6, 2016 near Hamburg, PA
A few minutes difference
Dec 6, 2016 near Hamburg, PA
Pinnacle lookout.
Nov 6, 2016 near Hamburg, PA
Spotted Touch-Me-Not
Sep 9, 2020 near Hamburg, PA

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Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 47 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Nov 2, 2024
Anonymous
8.8mi — 3h 20m
Oct 9, 2023
Rich Eagles
8.6mi — 4h 34m
Jan 2, 2023
Denise Stanilla
9.2mi — 3h 36m
Sep 18, 2022
Alexander Saff
8.7mi — 3h 35m
Sep 16, 2022
Bryant Niederriter
Sep 16, 2022
Alan Angstadt
Aug 4, 2022
David Perkins
Nov 6, 2021
NapoTian Ren

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