This small 4.4-mile out-and-back section of the 36 mile Ghost Town Trail in western Pennsylvania is an easy hike that runs past Eliza Furnace and adjacent to the South Branch Blacklick Creek.
The hike is very flat and about 1.5 miles in is a small waterfall right along the trail if there's substantial rainfall. Earlier onto the trail, you'll cross a bridge with a view of the South Branch Blacklick Creek below. From one side of the bridge, the banks of South Branch Blacklick Creek appear to be mining or slag tailings; however, it's not clear how old or recent they are.
Eliza Furnace: Along the trail, closer to the parking area, the Eliza Furnace - a stone furnace that was once used to process iron ore into pig iron. The Eliza Furnace is a National Register site and is regarded as one of Pennsylvania's best preserved iron furnaces. Eliza Furnace was built in 1846 and is one of only a few iron furnaces remaining in the United States which still retains its original heat exchanger piping.
Parking
Hikers will find a large parking lot at the coordinates provided; however, the trailhead is located just down the road, east of the parking lot. Cross the bridge to find the trailhead.
Pets
Dogs are allowed if leashed and their waste should be carried out by the hiker.
The hike is very flat and about 1.5 miles in is a small waterfall right along the trail if there's substantial rainfall. Earlier onto the trail, you'll cross a bridge with a view of the South Branch Blacklick Creek below. From one side of the bridge, the banks of South Branch Blacklick Creek appear to be mining or slag tailings; however, it's not clear how old or recent they are.
Eliza Furnace: Along the trail, closer to the parking area, the Eliza Furnace - a stone furnace that was once used to process iron ore into pig iron. The Eliza Furnace is a National Register site and is regarded as one of Pennsylvania's best preserved iron furnaces. Eliza Furnace was built in 1846 and is one of only a few iron furnaces remaining in the United States which still retains its original heat exchanger piping.
Parking
Hikers will find a large parking lot at the coordinates provided; however, the trailhead is located just down the road, east of the parking lot. Cross the bridge to find the trailhead.
Pets
Dogs are allowed if leashed and their waste should be carried out by the hiker.
