You don’t have to go far to find beautiful and easily accessible hikes in the State College Area. Check out our list of beginner hikes that scouts of any level can enjoy. All these hikes are located within a few minutes of State College.
Fasick Park Nature Trail
Located at 110 Fasick Park Lane, Boalsburg, there is a cool playground with some rope climbing areas, slide, and more. Walk down the asphalt path with the playground to your left. You’ll see a bench and one of the tiny trash cans. On the grass, behind and to the right of the trash can is the sign for the start of the nature trail. Trail is 0.6 miles, there are a couple bridges and you walk along a stream a lot of the way. At the end of the trail walk through a clearing to get to another smaller playground.
Musser Gap
Musser Gap is close, but a little tricky to find the first time because everyone drives right by the sign. We do the first part of the hike that leads to a bridge, after that it gets a lot steeper. Click here for description of how to get to hike.
Patton Woods
Across from Circleville Park, trails through woods; see if you can find your way to the field (stay to the left). It’s State Game Lands, so don’t go on hunting days.
PSU Arboretum
There is a rail trail (Bellefonte Central Rail Trail) as well as trails in Hartley Woods, not as well marked. You can hike from the Arboretum to Sunset Park through Hartley Woods. Pick up a map at the Arboretum office for both of these. For more information on the Arboretum, go to https://arboretum.psu.edu/
Shingletown Gap
Shingletown Gap has some rocky areas – the easiest way is staying flat/going along the stream. Beautiful hike along the stream.
Spring Creek Canyon
Two different sides to hike, flat and hike along stream, lots of places to stop and skip stones or wade on Fisherman’s Paradise side. Cool artsy benches at the beginning, and say Hi to the fisherman in the creek:
- Fisherman’s Paradise in Bellefonte – Use Bellefonte fish hatchery address (1150 Spring Creek Road, Bellefonte) but keep going 2 mins past to fence/flag poles, road dead ends to paved parking lot. Hike is behind yellow road closed gate.
- Shiloh Rd- Drive on Shiloh, cross highway, go until you reach end and park.
Thompson Woods Preserve
Located in Walnut Springs Park, close to State College downtown area, is the Thompson Woods Preserve and a variety of wildlife and simple trails.