Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail
~6 days · 65.4 mi · hard · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is known for
A ridge walk along Laurel Mountain, officially 70 miles (our mapped route measures 65.4), from the Youghiogheny River gorge at Ohiopyle to the Conemaugh Gorge, marked by concrete mileposts and lined with reservable shelter areas.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 1,250 ft to 2,871 ft over 65.4 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 11.0 mi · 17%
- Downhill 11.8 mi · 18%
- Flat 42.6 mi · 65%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Laurel Highlands Hiking 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.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail in about 6 days (5 nights out) over its 65.4 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail?
The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail climbs roughly 9,012 ft total — about 138 ft per mile, topping out near 2,989 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.