Fred Woods Trail

The Fred Woods Trail is a beautiful, relatively flat ~5-mile hike in Cameron County, PA. The roads up to the trailhead are not maintained in the winter, and I would recommend AWD regardless of the season. I visited in early November.

Exact coordinates for GPS: 41.36286, -78.18318 (parking on the side of Mason Hill Rd). I recommend having offline directions/maps downloaded or a paper map, because cell service is limited in this remote area.

The trail is rocky with many tree roots, so I recommend trekking poles for stability, even though there is little elevation change (approximately 300 ft. over 5 miles). There are two incredible scenic vistas and large rock formations that are so fun to explore! You can walk in between huge boulders and feel like you’re in another world.

A quick drive up the road, you can also visit the Bucktail Overlook for more scenic views. 218 Mason Hill Rd, Driftwood, PA 15832

The trailhead is nearly a 3-hour drive from Pittsburgh, but there is plenty more to explore if you want to make a weekend trip. The Fred Woods Trail is in the middle of the Pennsylvania Wilds and Elk State Forest. Consider primitive camping/backpacking in the Quehanna Wild Area, or if you prefer more amenities, modern camping at Sinnemahoning State Park, or Kettle Creek State Park, or finding accommodations in the towns of Benzenette, Emporium, or Renovo. The Bucktail State Park Natural Area is an especially beautiful drive in the fall.

Here is a great map from the PA DCNR, which includes the Fred Woods Trail, Bucktail Overlook, and nearby areas to explore!

http://elibrary.dcnr.pa.gov/GetDocument?docId=1737746&DocName=BUCK_ParkMap.pdf