Pine Creek Gorge · Tioga County, PA
West Rim Trail
A 30-mile point-to-point along the western rim of the Pine Creek Gorge — the "Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania." Continuous vistas, well-spaced campsites, and trail conditions that make it the gateway long-distance hike for many PA backpackers.
- Distance
- 30mi
- Format
- Point-to-Point
- Pack
- $24.95
About this trail
The West Rim Trail is a 30-mile hiking trail located adjacent to the western rim of Pennsylvania's Grand Canyon. The northern section of the canyon is about 800 feet deep and 2,000 feet from rim to rim, with exposed rock estimated to be more than 350 million years old. Most of the important geologic processes that formed the canyon as it exists today occurred less than 20,000 years ago. Before glacial activity, the headwaters of Pine Creek drained northeast; glaciers deposited a blanket of gravel, sand, and clay that blocked the flow, forcing Pine Creek to reverse course and drain south. That overflow cut through the drainage divide and formed the canyon. The trail offers spectacular views of the gorge — in some spots it follows the very rim, so watch your step.
Source: PA DCNR Explore PA Trails dataset.
Help keep this trail current
Become a WRT steward.
Trail Sherpa stewards adopt a segment of the West Rim Trail and get an email whenever a hiker reports conditions there. A fallen tree, a spring that's run dry, a washed-out crossing. In return, you help every hiker who comes through your section walk in prepared. It's a light lift and a real difference; hikers seeing your work think of you as a friend they haven't met yet.
Suggested itinerary
A classic 0-day breakdown of the West Rim Trail. Customize day-by-day in the planner.
Suggested itinerary still being curated.
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