Best cave trails in Pennsylvania

Note: The western end of this trail from the parking lot is reportedly closed indefinitely. Please see the park page for updates and contact the park staff with any questions: https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/LehighGorgeStatePark/Pages/default.aspx This is a dangerous and difficult hike requiring scrambling, but it has great views of the falls. Proper hiking shoes and gear recommended. The route can be confusing so make sure to bring the app or downloaded map. There's about 15 mins of an incline on stairs - great cardio session. You can still make the loop through the overlook trail. You can also make a short loop from parking lot to overlook to shortcut trail.Show more

Good variety of vegetation, large rocks, and beautiful streams. White diamonds and blue tree markings show the trail route. The trail is well maintained and provides a variety of hills as well as some flat stretches warranting its moderate rating. There is a variety of terrain and even differences in the layout of the forest. If you're camping at the overlook don't forget to carry in water from either the campground or the stream. Camping at the overlook provides several large sites good for both tents and hammocks. Deerlick camp, at the end of an offshoot trail on the East side, is inaccessible due to some downed trees that haven't been cleaned up and what appears to be beavers. Both seem to have caused the creek to damn making the campsites inaccessible. Therefore you'll need to camp at the junction with the North Country National Scenic Trail or at the bridge on the South East side of the trail close to the Middle Loop Junction.Show more

Wind Cave Trail: This trail is located off Bridge Valley Road (PA Route 3038) just south of the town of Pequea. If you are traveling South on 3038 you will follow the river out of Pequea and them there will be a curve in the road leading away from the river. There is an area to pull your car over and park. Some are marked as tow away zones so be careful. Once parked, there is a trailhead with an orange diagonal double blaze. Follow this trail across a creek and down a access road to the rail road. Watch carefully for the trail leading up the hill on the left. Follow the trail up the hill and check out the amazing views of the river. At the end of the trail you will arrive at the Wind Cave. PLEASE NOTE: The owner of the Wind Caves property encourages only those with proper experience and/or applicable guides to enter the caves. Please come prepared with appropriate clothing and safety gear. Bring light sources and enter in groups. It is also advisable to notify first responders prior to entering the caves that you are doing so in the event that there is an incident.Show more

The Springfield Trail is 4.7-mile loop trail through public and private lands in Springfield Township, PA and Nether Providence Township, PA. The trail features a portion in Smedley Park along Crum Creek, as well as portions along Whiskey Run. The trail connects to the Leiper-Smedley trail at it's northern terminus. The trail includes many historical features, including Jane Lowne's original Springfield dwelling in a cave, many former mill and industrial sites from the 17 century onward. This trail is dog friendly (on a leash) and includes open space at Smedley Park including an off-leash area. Show more

This is a hike that requires a good deal of effort and a watchful eye for blazes and monitoring on GPS. From the parking area, there is a short Bushwhack across a meadow, stay to the left of cabins to remain on game lands. You will then follow a steep, and obvious trail. There will be pink ribbons and white blazing that goes to the right down into White Brook. Once reaching the creek White Brook Falls is around 1/3 of a mile up stream. There is a path but you will have to walk along or up the creek to get to the 15-20’ plunge waterfall. Upon backtracking continuing straight will lead you to an obvious grade to your left. I did notice some green blazing. This route snakes it’s way up Bartlett Mountain. It starts out very steep, then becomes manageable after initial climb. Be mindful that you’re following the route marked the trail is obvious but there are at least two possible turn off’s not to take. After you cross White Brook and complete the final climb, your elevation gain is mainly over. You will come to your first mini bald relatively quickly. The “trails” in this area are very wet, in fact they can resemble a river. Be mindful of your GPS and look for white blazes for the next mile or so the trail is not so obvious through here. By either following the GPS or the blazes you will come to the base of the main balds, it’s a very simple climb up. From here it is the section of main balds. Follow white blazes. There's a very deep crevices in spots, they are fun to explore but you definitely do not want to fall down one. After a couple miles the white blazes will lead you down from the balds. From here you will follow the blazes or GPS along the base of the balds where there are impressive rock over hangs. While I was with the crew blazing I did not see if they continued one turning away and descending down hill away from the base of the balds, regardless it’s a shirt Bushwhack following GPS. You will come out to an obvious trail turning right on it you will reach a T intersection from here turn left and follow the obvious and at times quite steep trail down the mountain to complete the loop.Show more

Very scenic hike, mostly following old logging grades, up Scouten Brook and to the "emerald forest" - a sprawling, green moss carpeted spruce-fir forest atop the plateau, highly unusual for Pennsylvania. The isolated and untouched forest is surrounded by orange-streaked sandstone ledges towards the west. A bushwhack below the ledges reveals impressive rock overhangs, talus caves, and ravines. Scouten Brook sports cascading waterfalls, pools, hidden chasms, and red bedrock cliffs. A short bushwhack up a side stream reveals the seasonal Cali Falls, an impressive vertical drop surrounded by a beautiful grotto. Parking on Windy Valley Road is very limited. When starting the hike, be sure to stay within the narrow band of Game Land property (literally less than 50 feet) until you reach the first old forest road, parallel to the plateau, so that you don't trespass on private property. Additionally, the sharp left turn above Scouten Brook can be confusing - when you reach the top of the plateau, there are going to be two grades that merge from the left - make the sharp left turn at the second grade, not the first. Additionally, many parts of the trail within the Emerald Forest will likely be wet; if you can, stay on the trail - clever attempts to bypass the water degrade the quality of the forest. And, if you find yourself wanting to bushwhack, try to err on the side of following preexisting herd paths, if possible. And finally, most importantly, please treat this unique place with respect. That includes packing out what you pack in, not spraying graffiti on the beautiful sandstone cliffs, staying on trails whenever possible, not trampling pine saplings in the forest, not looting pretty rocks, etc.Show more

This route follows the Conestoga Trail which uses Orange Blazes. During your travels you will go past Wind Cave, House Rock Overlook, Tucquan Glen, and Pinnacle Overlook. You can bring your dog, but they must be leashed.Show more

This trail is overgrown and includes seven creek crossings with the use of bridges, cables, and wading. Several scrambles are in order as well. Follow the red trail blazes and expect a minimum of two hours in and two hours out. There is no cell service once in the canyon. Along the way to the falls are several cascades about five to seven feet in height. Make sure to have good ankle support and a day you can get wet. At first the stream might be low flow, but as you go deeper into the canyon feeder streams will increase the flow greatly.Show more