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Distance:
14.3 Miles
Type:
Out-and-Back
Difficulty:
Hard
Time to Hike:
7 hours, ~9 minutes
Features:
Surface Type:
Dirt
Park:
McConnells Mill State Park
Town:
Ellwood City, Pennsylvania
Directions:
40.931469, -80.240173
11
Added:
July 12, 2017
Updated:
June 14, 2018

The Slippery Rock Gorge Trail at McConnell's Mill State Park in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania is a difficult 14.3 mile moderately-trafficked out-and-back trail. It's the longest trail at McConnell's Mill State Park and is one of the more popular day-hike trails; however, due to its length you often don't pass other hikers.

You can start the trail at two different places - near the Hell's Hollow Trail parking lot along Shaffer Rd in Ellwood City or the covered bridge along McConnell's Mill Rd. The GPS data here starts from Shaffer Rd and runs along Hell Run for about 2.2 miles before turning left and heading northeast along Slippery Rock Creek.

Once the trail makes it to Slippery Rock Creek, it will start to ascend hillsides and eventually has a couple of switchbacks before reaching Eckert Bridge. The trail crosses the road at Eckert Bridge and continues on for another 1.1 miles before reaching the covered bridge, mill, and waterfall.

This trail is great for fishing and dogs are also allowed here.

Explore 35 trails near Ellwood City, PA

Hazards

Ticks - Lyme Disease More Info (CDC)

Season

Summer
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369 '

Total Change
3,280 '

Ascent
3,285 '

Descent
Slippery Rock Gorge Trail default picture

Photo Albums

4 Trip Reports

No Star-Ratings
14.3 miles
Trail added
July 12, 2017
Updated on
June 14, 2018
14.3 miles
July 10, 2022
Woof. What a hike. My friend's GPS tallied us at near 17 miles, which is 11 miles longer than I have ever walked. It was challenging switchbacks and since it is an out and back, the ups and downs reverse. We wanted to go to Hells Hollow waterfall and back so we kept trekking. The water level is low so the falls was not fully flowing, but we could wade in and lean against the waterfall. The trail had a lot of poison ivy on it and the vegetation was lush, so I am glad I had on pants and high tops. No one bonked, but by the end we were so glad to get back to the car.
Hiking
May 07, 2016
Just hiked the small section of this trail from the end of the Kildoo Trail back to the covered bridge.
Dogs Hiking
1.1 miles
May 07, 2016
Dogs Hiking

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