Stone Cuts to Golan Heights Loop

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Features Cave · Fall Colors · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Though Monte Sano State Park offers hikers with many varied trails, this loop hits some of the park's best (and most challenging) terrain. Highlights include the fantastic limestone formations along the Stone Cuts Trail and the chance to spot the park's herd of feral goats along Golan Heights.

Some trails are marked with blazes painted on the trees or rocks, but other trails are largely unmarked. Bring a map or use the Hiking Project mobile app to make sure you are on track.

From the trailhead, this hike starts out on the Sinks Trail. From the paved parking lot off on the north side of Nolen Avenue, the Sinks Trail is one of the more challenging trails on Monte Sano. Starting near 1,600 feet, the trail quickly descends into the valley, crossing Mountain Mist at 0.25 miles, reaching the area known as Three Benches at 0.5 miles.

Shortly after Three Benches, there is a confusing intersection with the Keith Trail and Stone Cuts Trail. Look for the Stone Cuts Trail which is one of the highlights of the hike. The natural limestone formations have created an awesome path that makes the Stone Cuts one of the must-do trails in Monte Sano State Park.

From the intersection, the trail climbs to the Stone Cuts. Just before reaching the formations the Stone Cuts Bypass branches off to your left (for an easier alternate if you don't feel like scrambling through the cuts). A little bit further up the trail is where the Stone Cuts start. The limestone has formed a cool tunnel that you hike through before heading under a tree that is leaning between two walls where you pop out on the other end.

After the "Cuts," the trail descends and is very rocky, requiring some technical hiking skills for the rest of the way. You'll pass a junction with the Panther Knob Trail and keep going to the trail's end at the Logan Point Trail. Turn north here on the Logan Point Trail which runs around Logan Point intersecting with the Stone Cuts Trail, Panther Knob Trail, Northern Flat Rock Connector, and Keith Trail before dead-ending into the Stone Cuts.

The first section of the trail is doubletrack and more than likely an old logging road. It is very popular with mountain bikers so it can be more worn down than some of the more rocky trails. Eventually, the trail converts back to singletrack descending through the woods before looping back around to the junction by Three Benches. As you hike this section around Golan Heights, keep and eye (and ear) open for a chance to spot the park's resident group of feral goats. Once back to the intersection, pick up the Sinks Trail to climb back to the trailhead.