Quehanna Trail
~6 days · 75.5 mi · strenuous · Loop
Quick facts
What the Quehanna Trail is known for
A roughly 73-mile loop through the Moshannon and Elk state forests on Pennsylvania's Quehanna plateau, usually started at Parker Dam State Park. The trail crosses mountain streams, meadows, and wild areas where elk sightings are common, and cross-connector trails allow shorter sub-loops. Most backpackers take 4-7 days.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 3,606 ft to 7,234 ft over 75.5 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 31.4 mi · 42%
- Downhill 30.8 mi · 41%
- Flat 12.4 mi · 17%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Quehanna Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Quehanna Trail scores 26/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 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 Quehanna Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Quehanna Trail in about 6 days (5 nights out) over its 75.5 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Quehanna Trail?
The Quehanna Trail climbs roughly 9,304 ft total — about 123 ft per mile, topping out near 2,385 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 — 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.