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Hiking at Prince Gallitzin State Park

32.65 miles of trails

The trails traverse a variety of habitats and provide views of the lake.

Prince Gallitzin State Park Trail Map (PDF)

Trail Definitions

Difficulty Ratings

Easiest -- For beginner trail users. Grade is gentle with few obstacles.
More Difficult -- For the majority of trail users. Grade is steeper and trails narrower with embedded rocks or roots on the trail surface.
Most Difficult -- For trail users with advanced skills. Grade is steep and provides a definite physical challenge. Routes may not be well marked. Elevation gain or loss is severe.

Trail Route Type

Loop -- Start and end at the same location and follow a single trail to form a loop.
Out-and-back -- Start and end at a trailhead and follow a single trail to an endpoint or specific point of interest, then return along the same route.
Point-to-point -- Trails are generally longer in distance and parks may often contain only a portion of the trail within their boundary. Hiker starts and ends in different locations, often requiring a shuttle.
Connector -- Begin and end in connection with another trail or trails but do not terminate at a trailhead.

Bollinger Trail

4.1 miles  |    More difficult hiking    |    Out-and-back trail    |    Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian, snowmobiling
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water, picnic tables, benches

This trail stretches from Pickerel Pond to Glendale Dam, passing Beaver Valley Marina, the soccer fields in Flinton, and intersecting many trails.

Campground Trail

2.2 miles   |    Easiest hiking    |    Loop trail    |    Blue blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking
Trailhead amenities: benches

This trail follows the shoreline and topography around the campground. Benches along the trail are great for relaxing and viewing wildlife. This trail is popular for mountain biking and geocaching.

Deer Trail

0.7 mile   |    Easiest hiking    |    Loop trail    |    Teal blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, snowshoeing
Trailhead amenities: benches

Follow this trail into State Game Lands 108 to discover food plots for wildlife. Lucky hikers can see deer or other animals feeding. This trail intersects with Forest Trail and is a short family-friendly loop.

Footprint Trail

1.0 mile   |    More difficult hiking    |    Loop trail    |    Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: benches

Follow this loop for a fleeting view of the Wyerough Branch to the lake. Hikers can relax on the bench and scout for herons, osprey, and bald eagles.

Forest Trail

0.4 mile   |    Easiest hiking    |    Loop trail    |    Green blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: benches

This short loop is one of the easiest trails in the park. Watch scampering chipmunks and hear chattering red squirrels while strolling under a canopy of beech, maple, and hemlock trees.

Foster Run Trail

1.7 miles   |    More difficult hiking    |    Out-and-back trail    |    Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian, snowmobiling
Trailhead amenities: benches

This trail runs from the Bater Patch Trailhead south along a ridge and then down to the lake near Noel Run. This remote area of the park consists of thick brushy woods over rolling hills. The trail is used primarily for horseback riding, but it is also open to hiking, mountain biking, and snowmobiling.

Gates Trail

2.2 ;miles   |    More difficult hiking    |    Loop trail    |    Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian, snowmobiling
Trailhead amenities: none

Accessed from Swartz Road (near the entrance to Glendale Yearound) or from Bollinger Trail near McKees Run Boat Launch, this trail loops around the hill above McKees Run.

Hagaratty Trail

1.5 miles   |    More difficult hiking    |    Connector trail    |    Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian, snowmobiling
Trailhead amenities: benches

Starts near the Glendale Dam from the Old Glendale Road Trail and follows along Snake Ridge before descending to meet Old Glendale Road Trail at the Bater Patch Trailhead.

Herman Fields Trail

0.7 mile   |    Easiest hiking    |    Connector trail    |    Blue blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian, snowmobiling
Trailhead amenities: none

Starting at an old road gate along Beaver Valley Road (across from Beaver Valley Marina), this trail climbs the hill to join Rhody Trail and intersects with Westrick Trail along the way.

Hughes Trail

0.9 mile   |    More difficult hiking    |    Connector trail    |    Blue blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, cross-country skiing recommended, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water

This trail begins in the group tenting area and joins Troxell Point Trail, it is a relatively flat hike through beautiful hardwood forests and also provides good views of Glendale Lake and opportunities for cross-country skiing.

Lakeshore Trail

0.75 mile   |    Easiest hiking    |    Connector trail    |    Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, picnic tables, benches

Starting at Muskrat Beach #1 Area, this trail serves as a connector between the modern cabin colony and Muskrat Beach swimming/picnic area. The trail entrance from the cabins colony is near Cabin number 8. This trail forms a 3-mile loops when hiked with Plessinger Trail, the gravel Muskrat Access Road and the paved Prince Gallitzin Marina walkway.

Long Road Connector Trail

0.65 mile   |    Easiest hiking    |    Connector trail    |   No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, biking
Trailhead amenities: none

This gravel road can be accessed from the gate on Long Road or Headache Hill parking area. It connects to Point Trail after looping through a grove of apple trees.

McDermott Trail

0.8 mile   |    Easiest hiking    |    Out-and-back trail    |    Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: picnic tables

This trail leads from a small parking area along Beaver Valley Road to Bosar Point, which is a great place to view waterfowl, the peninsula that separates the Killbuck and Mud Lick fingers of Glendale Lake.

Muskrat Access Road

1.15 miles   |    Easiest hiking    |    Loop trail    |    No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, biking, cross-country skiing recommended
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, picnic tables

This gravel access road is a nice walk around Muskrat Beach Area. This path connects to various trail including Lakeshore, Plessinger, Hughes, and Muskrat Beach Trails.

Muskrat Beach Trail

0.5 mile   |    Easiest hiking    |    Connector trail    |    >Blue blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing recommended, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water, picnic tables

Leaving the upper corner of Muskrat Beach number 2 parking lot, this is a short connector trail with Plessinger Trail and Troxell Point Trail.

Noel Run Connector Trail

0.6 mile   |    More difficult hiking    |    Connector trail    |    Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, snowmobiling, equestrian
Trailhead amenities: none

This short, multi-use trail connects Foster Run Trail to Shomo Run Trail.

Old Glendale Road Trail

0.6 mile   |    Easiest hiking    |    Out-and-back trail    |    Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, snowmobiling, equestrian
Trailhead amenities: benches

This is a beautiful walk through the woods with great opportunities to see birds and wildlife. The trail leads from the Glendale Dam across the dam and follows the shoreline along the Slate Lick arm of Glendale Lake to the Bater Patch Trailhead. Along the way it connects to Hagaratty Trail to make a 4-mile loop.

Pickerel Pond Walkway

0.31 mile   |    Easiest hiking    |    Loop trail    |    No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, picnic tables

This walkway leads from the Pickerel Pond parking lot, down to the fishing pier with a paved 0.18-mile ADA accessible path. After the path crosses the pier it turns to a grass trail that loops up to the covered bridge, then back to Pickerel Pond parking area.

Plessinger Trail

1.2 miles   |    More difficult hiking    |    Out-and-back trail    |    Blue blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, snowmobiling
Trailhead amenities: picnic tables

Beginning at the Prince Gallitzin Marina entrance road, this trail passes through Muskrat Beach Day Use Area #1.  Hiking this trail combined with Lakeshore Trail, Muskrat Access Road, and the Prince Gallitzin Marina walkway is a 3-mile loop.

Poems Trail

0.6 mile   |    Easiest hiking    |    Loop trail    |    White blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: benches

Learn about nature through poetry. Pick up a trail guide at the trailhead and follow this trail and read the poems that correspond with locations along the trail.

Point Trail

2.8 miles   |    More difficult hiking    |    Loop trail    |    Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: benches

This relatively rugged trail with lots of exposed roots begins at the Point Trailhead. The top loop of the trail follows Crooked Run Branch. The bottom loop of the trail follows the shoreline or a hillside. The trees are a mix of hemlock and hardwoods providing a shady walk with beautiful lake views.

Prince Gallitzin Marina Walkway

0.48 mile   |   Easiest hiking    |    Out-and-back trail    |    No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, biking
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water, picnic tables, benches

This paved, ADA-accessible walkway follows the shoreline around Prince Gallitzin Marina starting at the paved fishing pier and ending near Cabin number 1 in the cabin colony.

Reed Trail

0.6 mile   |    More difficult hiking    |    Connector trail    |    Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, snowmobiling, equestrian, cross-country skiing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none

This short trail connects Westrick Trail to Rhody Trail.

Rhody Trail

1.1 miles   |   More difficult hiking    |    Out-and-back trail    |    Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, snowmobiling, equestrian
Trailhead amenities: none

This trail takes you through Dixon Hollow starting along Swartz Road and ending at Wyerough Finger with a scenic view of Wyerough Cove. Make a loop by taking Herman Fields or Reed trails along the way.

Shomo Run Trail

2.0 miles   |   More difficult hiking    |    Out-and-back trail    |    Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, snowmobiling, equestrian
Trailhead amenities: none

This shaded trail starts across the Marina Road from the Pennsylvania Game Commission parking area near Slate Lick Cove and leads to the Noel Run Connector Trail. Much of the trail follows along the curves of Shomo Run. It then loops through an area that was formerly Glendale Riding Trails.

Troxell Point Trail

3.0 miles   |   More difficult hiking    |    Out-and-back trail    |    Blue blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, cross-country skiing recommended, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none

This long trail begins at the parking lot along Marina Road near the PA Game Commission maintenance building and finishes at the end of the peninsula on a deck with a picnic table overlooking Glendale Lake and dam.

This trail crosses the length of Haddie Buck Peninsula to Troxell Point. Many trails intersect Troxell Point Trail providing the opportunity for side loops and alternate pathways.

Turkey Ridge Trail

1.2 miles   |    More difficult hiking    |    Loop trail    |    Blue blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, cross-country skiing recommended, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: picnic tables

This trail intersects Troxell Point Trail twice and passes through Day Use Area 3. Turkey Ridge Trail passes through a variety of habitats, offering the chance to see a wide variety of animal and bird species.

Westrick Trail

0.7 mile   |    More difficult hiking    |    Connector trail    |    Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, snowmobiling, equestrian
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water, picnic tables

This trail begins near Pavilion 1 at Pickerel Pond, crosses Beaver Valley Road and steadily climbs to Shomo Fields then intersects Herman Fields Trail.

Wyerough Connector Trail

0.25 mile   |    Easiest hiking    |    Connector trail    |    No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, snowmobiling, equestrian
Trailhead amenities: non-flush restrooms

This short trail branches off of the Campground Trail (near Hickory Loop) and connects to the back section of Wyerough Pontoon Mooring Area.