Hickory Creek Wilderness Trail landscape

Photo: Photo by Alex Moliski on Unsplash

Hickory Creek Wilderness Trail

~2 days · 11.6 mi · easy · Loop

Quick facts

Distance11.6 mi
Days out2
Elevation gain1,115 ft
Gain / mile96 ft
High point1,900 ft

What the Hickory Creek Wilderness Trail is known for

A rolling loop through the Hickory Creek Wilderness of Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania, between the East and Middle Hickory Creek drainages. Published length is about 12 miles of gentle terrain with infrequent old blazes — an easy overnight from the single trailhead on Route 2002.

Route map & campsites

Route map of the Hickory Creek Wilderness Trail on OpenStreetMap terrain Open in Planner →

Route shape from OpenStreetMap geometry. Start · End · Camp

Elevation profile

Elevation ranges from 4,790 ft to 6,234 ft over 11.6 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).

  • Uphill 5.1 mi · 45%
  • Downhill 5.6 mi · 49%
  • Flat 0.6 mi · 5%

Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.

Frequently asked questions

How many days does the Hickory Creek Wilderness Trail take?

Most backpackers hike the Hickory Creek Wilderness Trail in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 11.6 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.

How much elevation gain is on the Hickory Creek Wilderness Trail?

The Hickory Creek Wilderness Trail climbs roughly 1,115 ft total — about 96 ft per mile, topping out near 1,900 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.

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