Hiking

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.

Deep Low Place Trail

0.25 mile in the park, 0.5 mile total  |   Most difficult hiking   |   Out-and-back trail   |   Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: non-flush restrooms

Starting in the park, this steep, 0.5-mile trail leads up to the ridge of Big Poe Mountain and connects to Tower Trail and other Bald Eagle State Forest trails.

Hunters Path

0.25 mile in the park, 0.5 mile total  |   More difficult hiking   |   Out-and-back trail   |   Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none

This steep trail leads up to the ridge of Little Poe Mountain, connecting to the Mid State Trail and other smaller trail systems in Bald Eagle State Forest.

Little Poe Trail

0.75 mile outside the park  |   Easiest hiking   |   Connector trail   |   Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none

This flat, Bald Eagle State Forest trail follows Little Poe Creek and connects other trails within state forest

Loggers Path

1.0 mile outside the park  |   Most difficult hiking   |   Connector trail   |   Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: none

This Bald Eagle State Forest trail is incredibly steep and rocky trail. It traverses down into Poe Valley and back up to the tops of Big and Little Poe Mountains. 

Mid State Trail

327 miles outside the park  |   More difficult hiking   |   Point-to-point trail   |   Orange blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, backpacking
Trailhead amenities: none

Popular with day hikers and backpackers, Mid State Trail offers a hiking path across the state of Pennsylvania. Passing near Poe Valley State Park, the trail offers hikers an opportunity to hike to Poe Paddy and connect with other trails in Bald Eagle State Forest.

Nature Trail

1.0 mile  |   Easiest hiking   |   Loop trail   |   Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, potable water

This loop trail makes for a scenic trip along Big Poe Creek and past dense thickets of mountain laurel. Several vernal pools can be spotted along the trail in the spring.

Tower Trail

1.5 miles outside the park  |   More difficult hiking   |   Out-and-back trail   |   Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, mountain biking, equestrian, cross-country skiing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none

This Bald Eagle State Forest trail offers a multitude of recreational opportunities from skiing in the winter to mountain biking and hiking year round.