Reading, Pennsylvania
Looking for the best hiking in Reading? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Reading. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Hiking Spots in and near Reading
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Douglassville, Pennsylvania
Hike the Lenape and Boone Trail Loop at French Creek State Park
4.5 mi / 715 ft gainFrench Creek State Park offers a web of trails for hiking and mountain biking with two lakes, picnic areas, and more. Hike the Lenape and Boone Trail Loop, a moderate 4.5 mile hike that winds through the forest and offers views of both of the park's lakes - Scott's Run Lake and Hopewell Lake. Dog...Read more -
Kempton, Pennsylvania
Hike the Pinnacles and Pulpit Rock
4.29 mi / 1200 ft gainPark in the lot near the Hamburg Reservoir and hike around the barrier and up the gravel road. Shortly on your right the Appalachian Trail branches off the road. Follow the white blazes of the AT for around 2 miles to the Pulpit Rocks, just before the trail passes the Lehigh Valley Astronomical S...Read more -
Kempton, Pennsylvania
Hike the Hawk Mountain Lookout Trail
4.54.5 mi / 500 ft gainThe 4.5 mile loop Hawk Mountain Lookout Trail takes you up to great views of the skyline of Pennsylvania. Surrounded by the rolling forested landscape and open sky, this trail is scenic through and through. Hike in the Spring to catch the flourishing wildflowers, and keep your eyes peeled for eag...Read more -
Collegeville, Pennsylvania
Skippack Creek Loop
4.07.25 mi / 377 ft gainThe Skippack Creek Trail in Evansburg State Park was one of my favorites on this most recent trip. Any chance I can hike a trail alongside a river, I take advantage of it. The trail starts on the south side of Skippack Creek at a parking area on Kratz Road. It was early in the morning and the wea...Read more -
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Hike to Bake Oven Knob
5.00.76 miThe trail is VERY rocky and stepping up the rocks requires proper footwear. From the beginning of the trail, hike until you reach an opening filled with rocks and boulders. Stay to the left of this and you will see the unmarked trail continue. After climbing up this, there is an overlook to the N...Read more -
Malvern, Pennsylvania
Hike Valley Forge
3.92.5 miThere are many trails to choose from on Mt. Misery and a good place to start is at the parking lot located at the intersection of Yellow Springs Road and Library Lane (off of the main Valley Creek Road).The Mt. Misery Trail starts there, heads up through the trees about 0.75 miles and meets up wi...Read more -
Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
Hike the Meadow Garden at Longwood Gardens
1.7 mi / 3 ft gainLongwood Gardens, located in Kennet Square Pennsylvania, is one of the premier horticultural display gardens in the country. Explore over 1,077 acres of gardens, woodlands, wetlands, and floral displays. Don't miss the Meadow Garden Trail!The Meadow Garden features an 86 acre expanse of native pl...Read more -
Jonestown, Pennsylvania
Climb Boxcar Rocks
5.01 mi / 0 ft gainThe parking lot can be tricky to find your first time. From I-81 Take Tower City exit on Rt. 325 W. Before airport, take Gold Mine Rd south over first major ridge. After ridge look for a driveway/parking lot on the left, it is the one just downhill of the big wide open parking lot. The road has...Read more -
Walnutport, Pennsylvania
Lehigh Gap via Appalachian Trail
4.52.15 mi / 817 ft gainLehigh Gap was formed by the Lehigh River carving a large hole in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. One side is owned and operated by the Lehigh Gap Nature Center and has some great hikes, but this side is government-owned. Parking for this portion of the Appalachian Travel is up a litt...Read more -
Glen Mills, Pennsylvania
Hike the White Trail in Ridley Creek State Park
2.55 mi / 450 ft gainThe white trail is the only true loop hike in the park. Strangely enough, it has no official trailhead. You can gain access to the trail from either Pavilion/picnic are #9 or Pavilion/picnic area #16. I chose picnic area #9 and hiked in a clockwise direction. This section starts very close to and...Read more -
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Bike the Switchback Trail around Mauch Chunk Lake Park
5.011 miThe trail entrance can be found by going up Broadway and taking Hill Road to the right at the Opera House. At the top of Hill Road will be the entrance to the trail; there is a nice little wooden sign so you don't miss it. This trail can be hiked or biked; we chose to do some mountain biking.Th...Read more -
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Bike the Lehigh Gorge Trail: Lock #2
4 miIt was a rainy day, which brings along mud (but I think mountain biking is better in the rain and mud anyways).Enter the trail by going through the county parking lot and to the left end under the bridge. The trail starts along the tracks and you can admire the restored old rail cars. Cross ove...Read more -
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Hike to Glen Onoko Falls
4.64.1 mi / 987 ft gain*Again, this hike is CURRENTLY CLOSEDThere are several WRONG ways to do this trail. Follow these simple instructions to get the most out of all Glen Onoko has to offer: Parking: Parking in the correct location is the most important step to this trail. Beware: typing in Glen Onoko Falls in Google ...Read more -
Wilmington, Delaware
Creekside and Brandywine Valley Trail Loop
4.55.5 mi / 20 ft gainThis loops starts out from the Rockland Road Trail head. There is a pay station here that is self-regulated. Creekside Trail starts here and runs the entire length of Brandywine Creek State Park along the Brandywine River. The trail is an easy 2.6 miles long and continues into First State Natio...Read more -
Wilmington, Delaware
Rocky Run Loop Trail at Brandywine Creek State Park
3.2 mi / 272 ft gainThe Rocky Run Trail is a 3.2-mile loop through Brandywine Creek State Park in Wilmington, Delaware. The trail has some nice views of the Brandywine River and the surrounding forest. There are some rocky areas of mild elevation, so be prepared. The trail is not well marked, and there are many of...Read more -
Wilmington, Delaware
Hike the Hidden Pond Trail
4.02.15 mi / 282 ft gainBrandywine Creek State Park, a 933-acre park located in Northern Delaware, offers 14 miles of hiking trails, expanses of open fields, and the beautiful Brandywine Creek. The Hidden Pond trail is an excellent hike through the hardwood forests and down to the banks of the creek. The trail begins ...Read more