DiscoverNEPA is partnering with Pennsylvania Environmental Council, a nonprofit that protects and restores the natural and built environments to improve the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians. Keep an eye on this series for updates on PEC projects, volunteer opportunities, Tail on the Trail activities and so much more.
Enjoy NEPA Hikes All September During Trails Month
September is Trails Month, so lace up your hiking boots, download your (FREE!) Northeastern PA Trails Map, and get ready to explore the region’s beautiful outdoor recreation opportunities. We’ve asked our friends to pick their favorite woodland paths, urban connections, and mountain views to help you get in on the celebration. Here’s what they shared.
Pennsylvania Environmental Council
Janet’s favorite trail system can be found at the Nature Conservancy’s Dick and Nancy Eales Preserve at Moosic Mountain in Jessup. She loves that the rolling landscape allows for beautiful views of the valley without hiking a super difficult elevation gain. Visitors can limit their hike to just 3 miles on the Blueberry Trail, or create a loop along the Conglomerate, Stonehenge, and Bruised Ego trails. Photo courtesy of Pennsylvania Environmental Council.
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Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Every morning, Christine takes off for a run on the Countryside Conservancy’s Trolley Trail. This abandoned trolley corridor turned trail is currently connects Clarks Summit to Dalton and La Plume to Factoryville, making it a great alternative transportation option for the residents of the region. Christine also loves that it is extremely accessible and makes people of all ages and abilities feel welcome!
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Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority
Owen is always looking for ways to immerse his boys in nature, and the Davis Trail at Nay Aug Park is the perfect family-friendly location to do that! It’s an easy and well-maintained trail that can be hiked at any age, and the cascading waterfalls and lush forests along the 2-mile out and back trail are rare in a place so close to home for the residents of Scranton!
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DCNR Bureau of Forestry
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, Tim suggests a hike along the scenic 2 mile Painter Swamp Trail loop in Delaware State Forest. The pond along the route is known for beaver activity and is a great spot for bird watching. Tim also loves that the trail can be expanded to include Thunder Swamp, making your visit as long or short as you want.
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Valley in Motion
The Lackawanna River Heritage Trail is a place Gus frequents, and that made it an easy choice for his favorite trail in NEPA! He loves that it is a short distance from his urban home, but yet he feels like he is escaping into remote wilderness when he visits. With the river to his right and a sprawling, trail friendly city to his left, he says the trail has the best of both worlds and is such an asset to the river corridor. There trail is also very accessible and has a lot of amenities for people of all abilities, making it extra special for this inclusive community!
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DCNR State Parks
Diane gets to spend a lot of time in local state parks, and she can’t get enough of the Lehigh Gorge Trail in Lehigh Gorge State Park! Part of the larger 165-mile Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, the Lehigh Gorge Trail has something for everyone, from waterfalls to natural history and geology to historic remnants of the canal. It’s also a beautiful escape and visitors can make it as long or as short as they would like!
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Pike County Planning & Mapping
With a National Recreation Area so close to home, it was hard for Jess not to choose the Cliff Trail at Delaware Water Gap NRA as her favorite NEPA trail! The moderately challenging trail offers breathtaking views of the Delaware River and landscapes in New York and New Jersey. On a clear day, you can even see High Point, the highest mountain peak in NJ. Photo courtesy of Pennsylvania Environmental Council.
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Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau
Although many people know about the expansive disc golf course at Prompton State Park, not many know about the magnificent Falls and Cliff Trails! These trails are good for a challenge and include roaring falls, sweeping views, and lots of opportunities to spot wildlife. Photo courtesy of Pennsylvania Environmental Council.
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Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority
One of John’s favorite trails in NEPA is the North Poconos Trails Association system in Moscow. Located on the Pocono Plateau, there are several different paths to follow and over 10 miles of trails in this hidden gem. John’s favorite trail section runs alongside Roaring Brook providing many wonderful views and access to the waterway. Photo courtesy of Pennsylvania Environmental Council.
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Anthracite Scenic Trails Association
Dave’s go to favorite spot in NEPA is the Back Mountain Trail from Luzerne to Dallas. It’s so close to home for so many people, making it easy to use it anytime! It’s very shady, which makes for cooler runs on hot days, and it’s not very crowded, so you can often see more wildlife there than people.
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You better get going if you want to explore all that NEPA has to offer this Trails Month!
