Link Trail

Hike Name: Link Trail Location: central PA Length: 70 Submitted by: Jeff Mitchell Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Pennsylvania trail reviews Pennsylvania national parks Pennsylvania state parks
For more trail descriptions and topo maps, try a Free Trial Offer from Trails.com

Description
The Link Trail, blazed orange, is one of PA's premier ridgetop trails, far exceeding PA's section of the Appalachian Trail in scenery, views and isolation. So named because it links the Mid State to the Tuscarora Trail. The trail is known for its exceptional views, ridgetop hemlock forests, rock formations, wildflowers, and history. The northern trailhead for this linear trail is located at Greenwood Furnace State Park. From there it climbs up Stone Mtn. with several excellent vistas and deep hemlock forests. This section of the trail is very dry. You then descend from Stone Mtn. to Martin's Gap, here you will find water and camping. The trail then leads through Rocky Ridge Natural Area with rock formations and wildflowers. The trail's terrain is more moderate as it passes sinkholes and more rock outcrops under a mature hardwood forest. Seasonal seep springs can be found along the trail. The trail then crosses PA 655 and begins to the long climb up Jacks Mtn. The trail passes springs along the way. At the top there is a vista, laurel, and more hemlocks. The trail descends to a bench along the mountain via switchbacks, passing more views, and soon leads to the top of the famous 1000 Steps. Here is a railroad dinky house that can be used as a shelter and a blue blazed side trail leads to a good spring. The trail descends the steps, put in place 70 years ago to access a quarry, with views of Jacks Narrows, an impressive water gap 1300 feet deep. You will reach busy US 22 and cross the Juniata River to Mapleton. Once again the trail ascends Jacks Mtn. along Scrub Run and reaches the ridge at some of the finest views in the Mid-Atlantic. The trail follows the ridge, occasionally passing springs, all the way to Three Springs. From Three Springs, there is road walking to Backlog Mtn. where the ridge is ascended again. Because of landowner problems at the end of the ridge, follow the blue blazed Ramsey Path, with more road walking along US 522. Pass under the PA Turnpike, enter the state forest and climb over the ridge to the Tuscarora Trail, Cowans Gap State Park is a few miles further. Thanks to the Link, you can hike from the AT to the PA Grand Canyon, and maybe someday to the Finger Lakes Trail in NY. For more info, check the Keystone Trail Assoc's website at www.kta-hike.org or www.dcnr.state.pa.us.

Directions to Hike
From State College, take PA 26 south to McAlevy's Fort, turn left onto 305 to Greenwood Furance State Park. From Harrisburg, take US 322 to State College, take Reedsvile exit 655 to Belleville, once at Belleville take 305 over the mountain and into Greenwood Furnace. Some parking also available between Mapleton and Mt. Union along US 22, within Jacks Narrows.

Contact Information
Rothrock State Forest
P.O. Box 403
Rothrock Lane
Huntingdon, PA 16652
(814) 643-2340

submit a new trail review

---

About Our Reviews

Many people ask us to recommend a place to go hiking. Instead of us deciding what places are best, we let the backpacking community help out. The reviews on budget-travels-tips.com have been submitted by our viewers. Some reviews are positive and some are negative. If you don't agree with a review, feel free to submit your own trail review.