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Kinzua Creek Trail

The Kinzua Creek Trail at Kinzua Bridge State Park in Kane, Pennsylvania is a difficult 1.2-mile out-and-back trail that leads to the bottom of Kinzua Gorge with stunning views of the wreckage of the Kinzua Bridge.

The trailhead can be found directly behind the visitor center and follows a gravel path downhill, first to a wooden platform lookout point of the Kinzua Bridge and Kinzua Gorge. After stopping at the wooden lookout, the trail continues downhill at a steep grade for roughly 0.4-miles until reaching the bottom of Kinzua Gorge. This steep section of the trail includes large rocks used for steps; however, the gravel tends to sit on top of parts of these rock steps - making them somewhat slippery, so wearing proper hiking footwear is recommended on this trail.

Follow the signs with arrows that state "Trail" and always stay on the trail. Upon reaching the bottom of the Kinzua Gorge, there will be a wooden footbridge that crosses Kinzua Creek. Cross the creek and you'll find a stunning view of the remaining Kinzua Bridge high above you. The trail continues uphill so you can get a view of the rest of the gorge and valley; however, you do not need to follow the trail for very far to get a decent view of the wrecked Kinzua Bridge.

Lookout Point: There's a lookout point just 0.1-miles into the trail, directly behind the visitor center. You can also find a nice lookout point on the opposite side of Kinzua Creek after following the trail to the bottom of Kinzua Gorge.

History: The Kinzua Viaduct was once the longest and tallest railroad structure at 2,053 feet long and 301 feet high until it was partially destroyed by a tornado during 2003. The land was reinvented in 2011 as a state park for visitors and hikers to explore.

Pets: Dogs are allowed on this trail on leash and their waste must be carried out.

Water source: If you use a water filter, you can refill at Kinzua Creek.
Explore 34 trails near Kane, PA

Know Before You Go

  • The Kinzua Creek Trail is a challenging 1.2-mile hike offering views of the Kinzua Bridge wreckage within Kinzua Bridge State Park.
  • The trail features a steep, potentially slippery descent to the gorge bottom, requiring appropriate footwear and caution, but has a lookout point after only 0.1 miles.
  • The trail provides historical context of the Kinzua Viaduct's destruction and subsequent transformation into a state park, and dogs are permitted on leash, plus water is available to filter from Kinzua Creek.
Interactive topographic map for Kinzua Creek Trail located in Kane, PA. Click the "View Map" button to load GPS coordinates and trail markers.
Get directions
Distance
1.2 mi
Difficulty
Hard
Type
Out-and-Back
Est. Time
36 min
Elev. Gain
295'
Rating
5.0
Added
June 17, 2019
Updated
August 23, 2020

Weather Forecast

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Total Change
281'
Ascent
295'
Descent
296'
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Features

Vista / Lookout Point
Dogs
Water Source
PA Wilds logo PA Wilds

Points of interest

  1. Parking

    41.759356, -78.586835
  2. Main Trailhead

    41.75975, -78.587709

Safety information

For your own safety: plan ahead, let someone know where you'll be, and hike at your own risk.

Availability

All seasons

Surface type

Dirt

Trip Reports (Reviews)

Rated 5.0 out of 5 based on 1 rating.

Ready to help fellow hikers? Add a trip report to share your experience and provide valuable insights for other hikers!

1.7 miles / 2.7 km
June 10, 2024
This is an amazing place to visit, the night before we endured a wicked storm with strong winds while tent camping in ANF and then to visit a place where steel was taken down by wind and to be able to walk near and see the twisted steel. It reminds you the true power of nature. The hike is steep in places with some big steps on large stones, but well worth the effort. My GPX includes the walk out on the skywalk.
Hiking
1.2 miles / 1.9 km
October 26, 2022
Hiking
1.2 miles / 1.9 km
June 18, 2019
Dogs Hiking

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