Lyman Run State Park, photo by Jeff Mitchell
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Yost Run Falls, photo by Jeff Mitchell
Hammersley Wild Area, photo by Jeff Mitchell
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WHAT IS THE PAW MEGALOOP?
An approximately 300-mile loop trail using mostly existing trails, with the route chosen to highlight exquisite features of the PA Wilds Conservation Landscape.
Connects:
8 state forest hiking trails
6 state forest districts
Passes through, or near:
7 state parks
10 wild or natural areas
6 towns or villages
The ~300-mile loop also has a ~35-mile connector trail (using the Donut Hole Trail) from Lock Haven, allowing public transport from major cities via bus. On the map below, if the loop can be considered a balloon, the connector is the string.
A VERY BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF THE CURRENT ROUTE:
The current trail route includes only currently-hikeable trail. Our optimal route includes segments that need approval to reopen abandoned trails in natural areas, building short segments of new trail for needed connections, etc. This page will be updated as changes are made to the route.
The trail uses the Susquehannock Trail System's "Northern Gateway" trailhead near the Susquehannock State Forest District office in Coudersport as the starting point. Follow STS to North Link Trail, to Black Forest Trail, to Long Branch Trail, to West Rim Trail, Bohen Trail, Mid State Trail, Golden Eagle Trail, Black Forest Trail, Woods & Child Trail, BFT, Gas Line Trail, BFT, Old Supply Trail, Big Trail Road, BFT, T-Squared Trail, Donut Hole Trail, Cleveland Hollow Trail, Ligenza Trail, Carls Trail, Cliffhanger Trail, Paulhamus-Garby Trail, Chuck Keiper Trail, Kyler Fork Trail, then 30 miles of MANY turns (follow kmz file below) to get to Quehanna Trail, 18 miles through Quehanna Wild Area (follow kmz file), Old Sinnemahoning Trail, Donut Hole Trail, and STS back to main trailhead.
An approximately 300-mile loop trail using mostly existing trails, with the route chosen to highlight exquisite features of the PA Wilds Conservation Landscape.
Connects:
8 state forest hiking trails
6 state forest districts
Passes through, or near:
7 state parks
10 wild or natural areas
6 towns or villages
The ~300-mile loop also has a ~35-mile connector trail (using the Donut Hole Trail) from Lock Haven, allowing public transport from major cities via bus. On the map below, if the loop can be considered a balloon, the connector is the string.
A VERY BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF THE CURRENT ROUTE:
The current trail route includes only currently-hikeable trail. Our optimal route includes segments that need approval to reopen abandoned trails in natural areas, building short segments of new trail for needed connections, etc. This page will be updated as changes are made to the route.
The trail uses the Susquehannock Trail System's "Northern Gateway" trailhead near the Susquehannock State Forest District office in Coudersport as the starting point. Follow STS to North Link Trail, to Black Forest Trail, to Long Branch Trail, to West Rim Trail, Bohen Trail, Mid State Trail, Golden Eagle Trail, Black Forest Trail, Woods & Child Trail, BFT, Gas Line Trail, BFT, Old Supply Trail, Big Trail Road, BFT, T-Squared Trail, Donut Hole Trail, Cleveland Hollow Trail, Ligenza Trail, Carls Trail, Cliffhanger Trail, Paulhamus-Garby Trail, Chuck Keiper Trail, Kyler Fork Trail, then 30 miles of MANY turns (follow kmz file below) to get to Quehanna Trail, 18 miles through Quehanna Wild Area (follow kmz file), Old Sinnemahoning Trail, Donut Hole Trail, and STS back to main trailhead.
PA Megaloop location map within Pennsylvania. The PAWML is shown in purple in the northcentral part of PA. Conceptual illustration by Peter Fleszar.
PADCNR map of Conservation Landscapes
Why Create the PA Wilds Megaloop?
•Showcase the unique and beautiful landscape of the PA Wilds Conservation Landscape, which consists of:
•2.1 million acres of public land
•25% of PA by area, but 4% of population
•The trail system largely already exists
•Increase tourism and outdoor recreation, inject tourism dollars and attention to rural communities
•Increase use of the state forest hiking trail system
•Loop systems of this size are rare (Buckeye Trail 444 mi, Great Western Loop 6900 mi)
•Long distance backpacking becoming more popular
•Showcase the unique and beautiful landscape of the PA Wilds Conservation Landscape, which consists of:
•2.1 million acres of public land
•25% of PA by area, but 4% of population
•The trail system largely already exists
•Increase tourism and outdoor recreation, inject tourism dollars and attention to rural communities
•Increase use of the state forest hiking trail system
•Loop systems of this size are rare (Buckeye Trail 444 mi, Great Western Loop 6900 mi)
•Long distance backpacking becoming more popular
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History:
•Jeff Mitchell devised a linear route through the PA Wilds, from the Quehanna Trail at Parker Dam State Park to the northern terminus of West Rim Trail, as early as 2018. •Kevin Reilly approached KTA in 2022 with a loop concept. •KTA has gathered a steering committee of hikers and backpackers, plus a GIS expert, who have worked over the last couple years to scout and plot a logical, beautiful route •Since 2023, KTA and committee members have met with State Forest personnel, local trail groups, as well as DCNR and the PA Wilds Planning Team, gaining approval, comments and suggestions. •KTA hosted a focus group, distilling trail name suggestions, and valuable insight from backpackers, nature enthusiasts, adn bloggers. |
Hammersley pool. Photo courtesy Jeff Mitchell.
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In the Works:
Master Plan to: •Garner public and community involvement and support •Engage stakeholders •Thoroughly assess backpacker resources such as resupply points, water sources, campsites, parking •Develop more backpacker resources as determined by survey above •Develop and implement a Communications Plan: branding, publications, publicity Also: •Continued progress toward ideal route incorporating more desirable route •Support pledged from KTA's Trail Care Program for construction and maintenance •Placement of wayfinding signs, kiosks, etc. This loop would NOT change blazing on existing trails; signage would be in addition to current marking. Like, for instance, the placards used by Great Eastern Trail. •Guidebook publication with turn-by-turn directions and highlights; paper maps •Availability in FarOut, the leading app for hiking long-distance trails, with user-generated real-time observations, and updates |
Crawford Vista, Quehanna Wild Area. Photo courtesy Jeff Mitchell.
Example trail marker type showing Great Eastern Trail. Photo from r/Hiking Reddit page.
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Donut Hole Trail, photo courtesy Kristin Joivell.
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There is a currently mapped, hikeable trail! Please note the trail is not blazed with any kind of "PAW Loop" markers (yet), it is blazed according to its current use.
Download the kmz file here. The current route includes only existing trails. The ideal route includes some trails that need approval to be reopened, private property to which we need access, etc.
STAY TUNED for updates. |
Questions? Contact: Jenn Ulmer, KTA Manager of Trail Maintenance & Training, at [email protected] / 570-854-8316.
By the Numbers (all features are listed clockwise from STS trailhead):
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State Forest Hiking Trails:
State Forest Districts:
State Parks:
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Wild or Natural Areas:
Towns or Villages:
Counties:
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