Hike to the Corridors (Scranton Rock Maze)-Pinchot State Forest

In the Corridors, an impressive place for rock lovers.

Length: About 2.5 miles, one way.

Parking: Salvation Army parking lot, 41.392955, -75.650236. Obviously this is private property, if parking is not allowed here, park on a side street.

Trail conditions: Hike follows an obvious old rail bed. Hike to the rocks is off trail and can be challenging. Be careful exploring the rocks.

Highlights: Impressive cliffs, boulders, and rock outcrops. Views. Bedrock balds and meadows. Ice flows in winter.

Issues: Route is not blazed and this hike is in an urban setting next to I-81. ATVs use the rail bed.

Description: It’s surprising how much beauty exists in and around Scranton, and these rocks are just another example of that. This hike is on the ever-expanding Pinchot State Forest, which has now reached into Scranton. This land was acquired in 2023.

I don’t know if the rocks have a name. I heard them described as corridors, I also heard them called trenches.

From the parking lot, cross River Street and around the concrete barriers on the old rail bed. Follow it. Pass a seasonal falls off to your left. Rocks begin to rise, as well as an impressive old retaining wall built with giant stones. There are some views from the rail bed, and wetlands are below to the right. Even in an urban area, there are important habitats.

After about 1.5 miles, leave the rail bed at the yellow dot on the map. You will know you reached the spot when the steep slope eases and old eroded trails ascend to the left. Climb here. The rocks soon come into view. Have fun exploring them. These rocks have springs trickling over them, making this a great place to see ice flows in winter. Work your way south exploring the mazes and passageways. Reach the Corridors, a series of giant outcrops with maze like passes. It’s an impressive place. Be careful. After the Corridors, the rocks decrease in size, but are still impressive. This would be an incredible place for rock climbing and bouldering.

We scrambled to the top where there are some views, pitch pine, bedrock balds and greenbrier. I was told there are many snakes here in the summer.

After exploring the rocks, return to the rail bed and hike out.

Want more scenery? Nearby is the impressive Montage Glen. After hiking, visit one of Scranton’s restaurants or breweries (or buy something from the Salvation Army).

This is the yellow dot on the map. Turn left and climb up the slope on an eroded trail to the rocks. Exploring the rocks is off trail. Red is off trail. Black dots are the rocks. This is not a gps track, accuracy is not guaranteed, and is for general directional purposes.

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