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Falls Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Difficult Difficult
 4.8 (36)
  1. Areas
  2. PA
  3. …North Central PA
  4. Ricketts Glen State Park
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“Hike along 22 beautiful, named waterfalls. ”

Miroslaw Wierzbicki
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6.7

Miles

10.8

KM

Lollipop

2,227' 679 m

High

1,270' 387 m

Low

1,025' 312 m

Up

1,024' 312 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

69%

Max Grade (34°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The Falls Trail is closed in the winter except for properly equipped ice climbers and hikers.

Overview

With beautiful views of 22 waterfalls, this is a strenuous hike with about 6.7 miles with a lot of steps (up and down). Wear good hiking shoes. Don't forget your camera and maybe a tripod. Be careful and use common sense.

Description

The Falls Trail is 6.7 miles long and begins at Highway 118. From the trailhead, head north for one mile. The trail splits to Upper and Lower. Lower is close to the creek and more difficult. Both the Lower and Upper branches of the trail reunite at the first waterfall, Murray Reynolds Falls (16').

There are two more waterfalls before the trail splits at Waters Meet (1.75 miles). Now you can go straight and take Ganoga Glen for 1.25 miles with nine waterfalls or turn right to cross the bridge to start the ascent of Glen Leigh—0.94 miles long with eight waterfalls.

Falls Trail overlaps with the Highland Trail for a little over a mile. This section of trail is mostly level through the woods. If you are thinking of hiking the Falls Trail during the winter season (roughly mid-November to mid-April), don't go without crampons, ropes, and an ice ax. The ice on the trail is no joke.

Contacts

Local Club: Mid State Trail Association, Inc. (MSTA)

Feb 18, 2024: 2024 Trail Care Schedule

Land Manager: PA DCNR - Ricketts Glen State Park

Shared By:

Miroslaw Wierzbicki
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.8 from 36 votes

#1

in Ricketts Glen State Park

#299

Overall
  4.8 from 36 votes
5 Star
81%
4 Star
17%
3 Star
3%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Ricketts Glen State Park

#3

in Pennsylvania

#299

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Photos

Majestic waterfall
Nov 13, 2018 near Back Mo…, PA
Mysterious waterfall
Nov 13, 2018 near Back Mo…, PA
Conestoga Falls
Jun 21, 2024 near Back Mo…, PA
Ganoga Falls
Jun 20, 2024 near Back Mo…, PA
Erie Falls
Jun 21, 2024 near Back Mo…, PA
A view from the small crevice behind B. Reynolds Falls in Rickets Glen State Park, Pennsylvania.
Jul 6, 2019 near Back Mo…, PA

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Jul 30, 2022
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Jun 8, 2022
Mark Gruber
Sep 4, 2021
Jon M
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