Beech Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Waterfall

Starting from the Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) at the trailhead for Mrs. Albert S. F. Kiester Trail and Great Gorge Trail, the Beech Trail starts with a whisper, barely acknowledging the rocky terrain that makes up the majority of this trail. In only a quarter mile, the trail turns rocky as the rock climb walls come into view.

Running just off the foot of the wall, the trail consists of one foot diameter, and smaller, rocks that have broken free of the wall. Rock climbers frequent the area giving hikers the chance to watch as they scramble up the wall. Be careful when taking your eyes off the trail because the terrain constantly changes. Always within view of the GAP, hikers can easily jump off the trail and back on if necessary. This section lasts for roughly a mile and half before taking a 90-degree turn into the wall face.

As you approach the wall, there is a small waterfall to your right. At the wall face the trail takes a hard left turn, runs at the foot of the wall before a steep climb and switch back, followed by a steep climb of a few hundred feet (denoted on the map by the straight section running east and west immediately after the switch back.

The rest of the trail is rocky with a climb or two. The trail ends at the Beech Loop Trail, which provides access to the Kentuck Campground as well as the Sproul XC Ski Trail system.