Donut Hole Trail
~7 days · 87.5 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Donut Hole Trail is known for
A roughly 94-mile point-to-point trail through Pennsylvania's Sproul State Forest, running parallel to the West Branch Susquehanna River between the Sinnemahoning area and Farrandsville. The trail repeatedly climbs from stream valleys to plateau tops in one of the state's most remote forest blocks. Most backpackers take 6-8 days.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 2,270 ft to 7,372 ft over 87.5 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 30.9 mi · 36%
- Downhill 40.5 mi · 47%
- Flat 15.5 mi · 18%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Donut Hole Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Donut Hole Trail scores 44/100, 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.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Donut Hole Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Donut Hole Trail in about 7 days (6 nights out) over its 87.5 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Donut Hole Trail?
The Donut Hole Trail climbs roughly 16,089 ft total — about 184 ft per mile, topping out near 2,287 ft.
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.