This is a very long hike that is somewhat strenuous due to the length. The elevation gain is somewhat high but if people take their time then it is not that hard. The North Trail has very good views and the orange trail has a good view as well. I saw a lot of backpackers that were doing the Appalachian trail in this hike. Overall, a pretty good hike that is fun to do.
Lehigh Furnace Gap Important Information
Trail Map: Trail Map 1, Trail Map 2
Suggested Phone GPS Apps: Alltrails.com, Avenza Maps, Google Maps
Difficulty: Strenuous
Distance: 11 Miles
Elevation Gained: 1,700 ft
Portable Toilet At Parking: None
Trail Breakdown
Appalachian Trail
North Trail
Appalachian Trail
Appalachian Going Back
South Trail
Appalachian Trail
North Trail
Devil’s Pulpit Trail
Appalachian Trail To Parking Lot
https://www.mapmyhike.com/workout/3571595149
Note: The information is just an approximation.
Parking
Start Of The Hike
I stepped out of my car and into the brown soil, excited for the hike that I was about to do. The parking lot was very small and there was only one other car besides mine inside it. I don’t know whether this hike was unpopular or that the weather was just gloomy, but I decided I would enjoy nature to the very best of my knowledge on this day.
Appalachian Trail
I hiked upwards through the rocky footpath as I found myself enjoying the forest and the trees that surrounded me. The ascent was very rocky but the slope was rather decent. It was a good slope that was easy on the knees and easy on the body as well. I took my time as this was the last hike I would be doing in this area and I wanted to enjoy every second of it.
Lean-To
I came across a lean-to and in front of it was this amazing creature that was just looking straight at me. The lean-to looked sturdy, with a front wall that had an entrance in the middle and windows which was kind of peculiar because most lean-tos don’t have anything in the front. This trail was very popular for people trying to complete the Appalachian trail as such this lean-to was used all the time and maintained all the time.
Trail
The dog was very friendly and very cute. It sat on the ground and allowed me to touch it. I wasn’t sure if the dog was a female or male but the dog was very beautiful and very gentle. It made me want to have one in my home as my last dog passed away a few years ago. Maybe someday in the near future, I will have another dog again to stay by my side.
North Trail
I chose to take the north trail as people have commented that this trail had a beautiful view.
North Trail
The north trail had a short incline that proved rather easy. It took me to an intersection and I had to choose between the North Trail or check out Devil’s Pulpit trail. I chose the blue trail.
North Trail
A thick mist enveloped the land as I couldn’t even see a few feet in front of me. All I could see where shadows, silhouettes of trees and the gray fog that covered them all. I was like a scene from a horror movie where you couldn’t see anything, couldn’t hear anything, and various things would pop up into your viewpoint every now and then.
North Trail
My hair became a little wet as the mists had lots of water vapor floating around. “At least, it wasn’t going to be hot”, I thought to myself as the water that stuck to my hair and body felt cool to the touch. I kept moving on, constantly looking at my GPS just to make sure that I was going the correct way.
North Trail – Transmission Tower
A structure could be seen in the distance but it was clouded in this thick fog that I could barely see what it was. As I got closer, its shape could be seen more accurately. It was some sort of transmission tower but I couldn’t get near it as fences were constructed around it. They were a clear indication that the people who built this didn’t want anyone to get near it.
Another Tower
At the end of the North Trail was another transmission tower. This one had a road leading to it. The road must lead to the bottom and people use this road to drive to the tower. The gates were locked and there was no way to get in as the fences and buildings looked well maintained and very clean. They were signs that people come to this place all the time.
Appalachian Trail
The north trail and Appalachian trail were both very flat and easy to navigate the moment I end up at the highest elevation. Shadowy figures could often be seen in a distance, they were silhouettes of backpackers going the other way. They looked scary at times but nothing to be scared of as I’ve been in this type of situation many times. However, it was still alarming when a person pops out of nowhere and suddenly you were face to face with someone out of the blue.
Appalachian Trail
A sign that this area was a game area. Might be a good idea to wear orange in case there are hunters near by.
Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian trail became narrow and all of a sudden, I was surrounded with a lot of trees. I descended all the way down to the second parking lot and to the road for cars then went back up again. The slope wasn’t that difficult but traversing the trail twice was somewhat annoying to my mind. The fog was at its thickest and no sign of any views or viewpoints at all since I have traversed this trail.
Appalachian Trail Going Back
The fog was lifting up as I could see the footpath rather easily. Perhaps I would be able to see a viewpoint this time around as the mist wasn’t as thick as before. I continued on, moving forward the trail as various backpackers with heavy backpacks traveled the trail with me.
Intersection To South Trail
Intersection between South Trail and Appalachian Trail.
South Trail
The south trail proved to be rather difficult and challenging as the area was filled with boulders or rocks of different sizes. The boulders were very slippery as the mist hadn’t dissipated completely yet. I moved very slowly and carefully as I almost slipped a few moments ago after entering this trail. My body felt heavy as lots and lots of my energy were leaking away as I kept traversing this trail.
South Trail Views
There was a viewpoint near the end but it was blocked by trees. No matter, I was too tired and I needed a rest. I sat on a rock as if it was the most comfortable chair in the world and enjoyed the wind coming and going from the horizon. Just trying to regain the energy that I have lost and rejuvenate my body once again before getting back to the trail.
Appalachian Trail
It was as if magic happened and the once dreadful thick fog that blanketed this area was now gone. All that was left was a bright light coming from the sun, illuminating the footpath and making the trees cast their own shadows. I walked in high spirits knowing that I maybe able to get a few pictures of a viewpoint or scenery, now that the fog was gone.
Transmission Tower
The transmission tower glistened underneath the rays of the sun. It stood proudly, high above the trees, and higher than anything in the vicinity. I still cannot believe that something created by human beings was in the middle of nature. It looked beautiful though, just towering over the other structures.
North Trail Views
By the time I got back to the North trail, the fog that lessened my visibility could no longer be found. An expansive view took its place and I found myself just staring into the beautiful piece of land that was in front of me. I was happy and glad that I was able to take pictures now that the fog had disappeared. All that was left was this amazing view that I could fully enjoy on this beautiful day.
North Trail Lookout
I felt a gentle wind passed me by, just caressing my skin and lifting up my spirits. It took a little bit of my exhaustion away and renewed my energy just a little bit. A peaceful feeling came filled my whole body. It came from out of nowhere and seeped deep into my soul. Just a gentle calmness and peacefulness that propagated through out my entire being that I felt grateful to be here, grateful for my life, and grateful for the beautiful landscape that I was looking into.
North Trail Transmission Tower
It turns out that there were two transmission towers instead of one that I passed by in the North trail. The sky was so blue and the clouds were so white that they looked absolutely amazing together. The day started out gloomy but became rather beautiful. There was just a sense of serenity as I walked on the North trail again. It could be felt by all hikers and people who has passion and love for nature.
North Trail Viewpoint
The beautiful scenery followed me as I kept walking the North trail. The relentless blue sky and the awe inspiring clouds scattered through out the scenery, giving me a sense of beauty and love for nature. I let my eyes drank and engorged in the magnificent landscape over and over until it could no longer be seen.
Devil’s Pulpit Trail
I took a quick detour and traversed the Devil’s Pulpit trail as the map showed a viewpoint in the vicinity. The viewpoint was hard to find as the markers stopped and the trail became very rugged, filled with various obstacles and loose rocks. I felt my energy leaking out with every second as I tried my best to find the vista that was in the map.
Devil’s Pulpit Vista
The vista was beautiful but there were no markers that led there. My body was covered in sweat as I stood on top of a rock while looking at the view. The view was beautiful but somewhat dangerous to get here. I took my time, got a lot of rest before heading back to the parking lot.
Appalachian Trail Going Back To Parking Lot
I saw a large group of hikers before I left the viewpoint asking me if going to the viewpoint was worth it. I said, “it was very hard.” The leader decided not to go as the group consisted of a lot of beginners. It was not a viewpoint I would take beginners to as the path to get there was pretty exhausting and not maintained at all.
Getting back was rather easy as the slope was gentle and easy as I went down the mountain. The sun was high above the sky, showering me with its hot rays. I hurried back to the parking lot, almost trail running. Excited to drink, eat and take a good rest after an exhausting hike.
End Of The Hike
I saw my car in between thick bushes and shrubs, as my heart flew in joy that I made it back safely and that the hike was now over. It was a great hike that started out rather gloomy but ended with lots of sun and lots of pictures taken. I got into my car, proceeded to eat, drink and took a well deserved rest before I headed back to my home in Brooklyn.
For More Hikes
For more hikes similar to this one, you can go to my Best Hikes In Pennsylvania page.