The Great Gorge Trail at Ohiopyle State Park in Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania is an easy 3.2 mile out-and-back hike that leads from the Cucumber Falls parking lot, south along Cucumber Run, and then north along the Youghiogheny River. This trail is rated as easy since the trail itself is mostly flat with no roots/rocks to trip on. It's moderately trafficked and heavily trafficked closer to Cucumber Falls.
While hiking on the northern portion of this trail, along the Youghiogheny River, you'll often notice kayakers and whitewater rafters passing by in the river below; however, it's easier to see them during the colder months when the leaves are off the trees. The only downside to this trail is there is no real lookout point of the river unless you hop on the Bike Trail at the end.
The end of this trail puts you at the bottom of Cucumber Falls and at the trailhead for the Meadow Run Trail. Dogs are allowed, but biking is not allowed on this trail.
Waterfalls: The trail has several noteworthy waterfalls along the hike - first and foremost Cucumber Falls sits at the trailhead and is the main attraction for this area. The next set of waterfalls lies south of the parking area and across Ohiopyle Rd less than a half mile down the trail - the trail ends at an old washed out bridge crossing and there's a large 20 foot wide 6 foot tall waterfall that sits about 100 feet away from the dead end. After hiking back north along the river, you'll find a couple of cascades that fall down the side of the hill along the trail and pass below the trail through drainage pipes before cascading further into the river.
Note: This GPS data ends at the intersection with the Bike Trail in Ohiopyle. You can hop on the Bike Trail by taking the adjacent spur trail near the end of this GPS map.
While hiking on the northern portion of this trail, along the Youghiogheny River, you'll often notice kayakers and whitewater rafters passing by in the river below; however, it's easier to see them during the colder months when the leaves are off the trees. The only downside to this trail is there is no real lookout point of the river unless you hop on the Bike Trail at the end.
The end of this trail puts you at the bottom of Cucumber Falls and at the trailhead for the Meadow Run Trail. Dogs are allowed, but biking is not allowed on this trail.
Waterfalls: The trail has several noteworthy waterfalls along the hike - first and foremost Cucumber Falls sits at the trailhead and is the main attraction for this area. The next set of waterfalls lies south of the parking area and across Ohiopyle Rd less than a half mile down the trail - the trail ends at an old washed out bridge crossing and there's a large 20 foot wide 6 foot tall waterfall that sits about 100 feet away from the dead end. After hiking back north along the river, you'll find a couple of cascades that fall down the side of the hill along the trail and pass below the trail through drainage pipes before cascading further into the river.
Note: This GPS data ends at the intersection with the Bike Trail in Ohiopyle. You can hop on the Bike Trail by taking the adjacent spur trail near the end of this GPS map.
