Black Forest Trail

Black Forest Trail
Canyon Vista on the Black Forest Trail (note orange tail blazes)
Length	42 mi (68 km)
Location	Tiadaghton State Forest, Pennsylvania, United States
Trailheads	Slate Run, Pennsylvania
Use	Hiking
Hiking details
Trail difficulty	Strenuous
Season	Year-round
Sights	Vistas, Pine Creek Gorge
Hazards	Severe Weather, Poison ivy, Bears, Rattlesnakes, Ticks

The Black Forest Trail is a 42-mile (68 km) loop trail that resides in Pennsylvania's Tiadaghton State Forest in parts of Lycoming, Potter, and Clinton Counties. Many other forest roads, hiking, and cross country ski trails cross the Black Forest Trail making it possible to do shorter loops for day hikes or shorter backpacking trips. The Black Forest Trail is known for many steep ascents and descents as well as spectacular views of the Pine Creek Gorge and other canyons to the west.

As with most long-distance trails in Pennsylvania, the BFT is blazed with orange. Side trails are blazed blue.

The official start of the trail is a short distance from the village of Slate Run (off of Pennsylvania Route 414) on Slate Run Road. The trail can also be accessed from Pennsylvania Route 44, which it crosses twice, north of Waterville, Pennsylvania. In addition the trail crosses several dirt forest roads.

This is a brief description starting counter-clockwise from the main trailhead at Slate Run. From the trailhead you walk a very short while through a pine plantation. The beginning of the trail crosses the Slate Run stream which is about 30 feet (9 m) wide and has a new foot bridge dedicated on October 24, 2014. You then climb about 1,000 feet (300 m) in a mile and a half. Part way up you come across an old quarry that offers spectacular views of the valley carved by Slate Run Creek. Then next several miles explore the plateau that is the Alcinda wilderness area. This section is generally level. About mile 6 (km 9.7) you descend along the Red Run, passing several nice campsites (including one at the top of the plateau before you descend), finally recrossing the Slate Run around mile 8 (km 13). You then are greeted with another gradual 1,000 feet (300 m) climb, part of which is on an old logging road. The trail once again follows the plateau to the west, with level hiking for the next several miles. The Sentiero Di Shay ski trail cross the BFT twice in this section and can be used to make alternative loops. Around the 13-mile (21 km) mark you cross Pennsylvania Route 44 in a beautiful stand of hemlocks. The trail slowly descends and for the next several miles and follows the County Line Branch stream. This section has many water crossings that can be difficult in high water; campsites can be found in this section with the nicest being around mile 17 (km 27) before you climb out of the valley.