Black Forest Trail
~4 days · 41.7 mi · hard · Loop
Quick facts
What the Black Forest Trail is known for
A demanding roughly 42 mile loop through the deep gorges and pine plateaus of north-central Pennsylvania, near Pine Creek Gorge in the Tiadaghton State Forest. The trail repeatedly drops into and climbs out of steep hollows draining toward Pine Creek's canyon country, with overlooks above the gorge. It is regarded as one of the more strenuous backpacking loops in the state.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 794 ft to 2,165 ft over 41.7 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 15.7 mi · 38%
- Downhill 15.0 mi · 36%
- Flat 10.6 mi · 26%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Black Forest Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Black Forest Trail scores 30/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Best season & permits
Season: Spring and fall are most popular for cooler temperatures and fall color; summer is humid and winter can bring ice on the steep climbs.
Permits: No permit required to hike; overnight visitors on Pennsylvania state forest land follow standard dispersed-camping regulations.
Official trail & permit info
Always confirm current conditions, closures, and permit rules with the managing authority before your trip.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Black Forest Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Black Forest Trail in about 4 days (3 nights out) over its 41.7 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Black Forest Trail?
The Black Forest Trail climbs roughly 8,271 ft total — about 198 ft per mile, topping out near 2,188 ft.
When is the best time to hike the Black Forest Trail?
Spring and fall are most popular for cooler temperatures and fall color; summer is humid and winter can bring ice on the steep climbs.
Do you need a permit for the Black Forest Trail?
No permit required to hike; overnight visitors on Pennsylvania state forest land follow standard dispersed-camping regulations.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.