Best Trails Near Hamburg

Looking for hiking trails, running trails or view trails?  There are 7 moderate trails and 1 easy trail in the area surrounding Hamburg ranging from 3.8 to 9.3 miles and from 721 to 1,614 feet above sea level.  All trails beginning at the parking lot at the Hamburg Reservoir are a little over a half a mile down a road from the parking area to the start of the trail head.  The address for the trail head is: 400 Reservoir Rd Hamburg, PA 19526

# 1       Moderate – 9.1 miles  – starting point Hamburg reservoir parking lot

Appalachian, Pinnacle, Valley Rim and Pulpit Rock Trail is a heavily trafficked loop trail located along Kittatinny Ridge.  This loop trail features beautiful wild flowers and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.

This Appalachian Trail, Pinnacle Trail, Valley Rim, and Pulpit Rock Has Been Named Pennsylvania’s Best Hiking Trail.

The Observatory is en-route to the Pinnacle with outstanding views of the Lehigh Valley and Interstate 78. There is lots of wildlife to watch along the way.  At the top it opens up to another great view of the Lehigh Valley filled with farm fields that is well worth any work it took to get there.

# 2       Moderate – 3.8 miles – starting point Hamburg reservoir parking lot

Pulpit Rock Trail – a heavily trafficked loop trail that features a great forest setting. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.

Pulpit Rock is considered to have some of the best views along the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania. Whether you are a thru-hiker or looking for a fun day-hike, this is a nice trail that can be completed by almost any level hiker. 

From the yellow gate follow the gravel road along up to the Appalachian Trail, at which point you will take a sharp left to follow the white blazes through the switch backs. The steep and rocky incline starts about a mile and half or in from the parking area. Once you reach the summit of Pulpit Rock, you will be rewarded by spectacular views. From the summit you have the option to continue on the Appalachian Trail to the Pinnacle, or head back down. You will come down via the woods road marked as a blue trail – it parallels a very nice stream that keeps it cool and peaceful.

 

#3        Moderate – 9.3 miles – starting point Hamburg reservoir parking lot

Pulpit Rock, The Pinnacle, and Blue Rocks Loop is a lightly trafficked loop trail.

This variation on the popular loop adds a scramble through the boulder field at the blue rocks campground. There’s a short off-trail bushwhack at the end of the boulder field to get to the red trail. 

 

#4        Moderate – 8.3 miles – starting point Hamburg reservoir parking lot

Furnace Creek Trail to Pinnacle Trail Loop is a heavily trafficked loop that features a great forest setting. The trail offers a number of activity options. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.

 

#5        Moderate – 5.7 miles – starting point Hamburg reservoir parking lot

Pulpit Rock, Red Trail, and Furnace Creek Trail Loop is moderately trafficked loop trail that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, trail running, and nature trips and is best used from April until September. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.

Hamburg Reservoir Trail Map Display at Parking Lot

 

#6        Easy – 12 miles – starting point Kernsville Dam Recreation Area

John Bartram Trail is a lightly trafficked out and back trail that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options, including biking, bird watching, running, wild flowers, and wildlife and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.

 

 

               

                       

#7        Moderate – 6.4 miles – starting point State Game Lands dirt road just North of Port Clinton

Appalachian and Fire Break Trail Loop is lightly trafficked loop trail that features a great forest setting. The trail is primarily used for hiking, trail running, and nature trips and is best used from April until September.

           

#8        Moderate – 4.9 miles – starting point State Game Land parking lot north of Shartlesville exit off I-78

Tom Lowe Trail is a heavily trafficked loop trail in State Game Lands Number 110 that features a waterfall. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail.

If you follow the trail from the parking lot (about 20 cars) in a counter-clockwise fashion, the climbs are rather gentle. Plenty of places to stop, look at the streams, hike off trail along other feeder streams, lots of stream crossings, several fire rings, a few springs and the sand spring.

 

For more information on the area trails, stop by the Our Town Foundation/Arts & Craft Gallery at 320 State Street in Hamburg.