West Rim Trail
~3 days · 29.8 mi · hard · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the West Rim Trail is known for
Pennsylvania's West Rim Trail follows the western edge of Pine Creek Gorge — the 'PA Grand Canyon' — for 30.5 miles between Ansonia and Blackwell in Tioga State Forest. A point-to-point route with repeated vistas over the gorge, classically done in three days.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 2,851 ft to 6,352 ft over 29.8 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 11.4 mi · 38%
- Downhill 13.5 mi · 45%
- Flat 4.9 mi · 16%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the West Rim Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the West Rim Trail scores 21/100, 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 West Rim Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the West Rim Trail in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 29.8 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the West Rim Trail?
The West Rim Trail climbs roughly 4,656 ft total — about 156 ft per mile, topping out near 2,021 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.