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.
Bird Blind Trail
0.1 mile | Easiest hiking | Out-and-back trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, cross-country skiing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none
The Bird Blind Trail is a short trail that starts near the Ground Pine Trail and continues to a wall-type bird blind. Visitors must turn around just past the bird blind, and obey all “No Trespassing” signs in the area.
Christman Trail
2.0 miles | More difficult hiking | Loop trail | Blue blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none
The trail leads past an old orchard, through a mixed forest, and through old farm fields. The easy main loop is marked with yellow medallions, and connects with the Wild Creek Trail.
Cove Ridge Trail
2.4 mile | More difficult hiking | Loop trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
Accessed by the Wild Creek Trailhead, the Cove Ridge Trail begins at the Wild Creek Falls Bridge and follows the forested ridge above Wild Creek Cove.
Falls Trail
1.0 mile | More difficult hiking | Loop trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
Accessed by the Wild Creek Trailhead, the Falls Trail leads to the Wild Creek Falls Bridge and then leads upstream to the waterfalls area.
Ground Pine Trail
1.2 miles | Easiest hiking | Loop trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, cross-country skiing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none
The entrance to this relatively easy loop trail is located behind the park office. The trail leads through a mixed forest and loops back to the park office.
Pine Run Cove Trail
0.7 miles | Easiest hiking | Loop trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, cross-country skiing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none
The trail begins at the southeast corner of Parking Lot A. This relatively easy trail follows a path along the Pine Run Cove and loops back through a field area.
Preachers Camp Trail
2.4 miles | More difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms at Preachers Camp Boat Launch
The trail can be accessed from the end of Preachers Camp Road or the parking lot off Trachsville Hill Road. This moderately difficult trail ascends the steep mountainside through deciduous and coniferous forests. It cuts through a thick section of rhododendron understory, as it follows the Pohopoco Cove.
Sawmill Loop Trail
2.0 miles | More difficult hiking | Loop trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
Looping along the Sawmill Run Creek, the trail passes by mixed forest with large Eastern hemlocks, fields, a pond, and a forested swamp. There are several historical points of interest along this trail, such as several dams and the remnants of a water raceway for a grist mill. An abandoned slate quarry dates back to the 18th and 19th century.
Tree ID Trail
0.2 mile | Easiest hiking | Out-and-back trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none
The short Tree ID Trail begins near Parking Lot B and ends near the Ground Pine Trail. Along the trail, identify trees using a pamphlet -- available at the trailhead or in the park office.
Trinity Gorge Trail
4.1 miles | More difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms at Preachers Camp Boat Launch
This trail leads past farm fields and through forests for 2.9 miles between the two trailheads. An optional 1.2-mile section of the trail follows the lakeshore to make a loop in the middle of the trail.