Hike the Hyner View Loop

Length: 11 miles

Difficulty: Moderate to challenging

Trail conditions: Pretty good, most trails are blazed well, some trail junctures have signs. Some trails are rougher or less established than others.

Highlights: Hyner View, views, streamside hiking, hemlocks, Johnson Run, small falls and cascades, Huff Run.

Parking: There is a pull off about here: 41.327735, -77.634175

Blazes: Donut Hole Trail (DHT) is orange, other trails are yellow.

Issues: Several stream crossings along Johnson Run, avoid in high water.

Description: This is a wonderful day hiking loop in the PA Wilds. It has views, beautiful streams, and small cascades. The trail winds through gorges and glens. There is a whole trail system around Hyner View, built and maintained by the PA Trail Dogs. Hyner has become a trail running and race destination. This system offers some superb hiking. Try to avoid hiking here on race weekends.

From the parking area, hike the road (I think it is Huff Run Rd) away from PA 120. It dead ends, follow the Cliffhanger Trail. Climb along this fine trail with many views when the trees are bare, and a few narrow views when there are leaves. Reach the DHT and turn right. Follow the edge of the canyon with rock outcrops. Reach a superb view from a cliff looking up the river. Continue on the DHT, which drops into a glen with a small creek, an unmarked trail joins from the left. Climb a ridge, pass Goat Path to the left, stay on the DHT. The DHT follows sidehill above Johnson Run but eventually descends. Cross the creek on a log bridge, leave the DHT and turn left onto Johnson Run Trail.

This is a highlight of the loop as the trail closely follows this scenic mountain stream, there are several crossings. If you love streamside hiking, you’ll love this trail. As you hike, the creek becomes more scenic with hemlocks, moss, and ferns. Climb more steeply to the top of the plateau and turn left onto a yellow trail. Cross the top of the plateau with level and rolling terrain. There is mountain laurel, pine and oak forests. Old View Road is just off to the right. Pass a pipeline swath that resembles a meadow with a view. Reach an old forest road with a gate on the right, turn left. Blazes are few but the route is obvious, this is the Ligenza Trail. Blazes become a little more frequent (the trail is better blazed in the opposite direction) but it is obvious regardless. Reach Hyner View State Park and enjoy the famous vista, it is always more rewarding to hike to it.

Follow the DHT along the road and watch the blazes where the trail veers left off the road. The trail is rugged as it crosses the slope and descends to Huff Run. Turn left onto the Garby/Paulhamus Trail. Huff Run is another highlight, the trail is beautifully built down a narrow, wooded gorge. When the creek is flowing well, there are many cascades and small falls. A true pleasure to hike and a perfect ending to the loop. Cross a bridge and reach the road, turn right back to your car.

I went counterclockwise from the parking area. Yellow dots were my route. Map from DCNR, locations are approximate.

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