Pleasant Valley Trail Pleasant Valley Road, Portersville, PA 16051

Nestled within the scenic Moraine State Park, Pleasant Valley Trail offers an enchanting escape for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers alike. This park features a diverse network of hiking trails that meander through lush forests, serene grassy areas, alongside tranquil lake edges, and past thriving wetlands. For your safety and to preserve the natural beauty of the park, please stay on designated trails and ensure dogs are leashed and under control at all times.

Trail Difficulty Levels:

- Easiest: Ideal for beginners, these trails have gentle grades and minimal obstacles.

- More Difficult: Suitable for most trail users, these trails feature steeper grades, narrower paths, and obstacles like embedded rocks or roots.

- Most Difficult: Designed for advanced users, these trails present steep grades and significant physical challenges, with potentially severe elevation changes and less obvious markings.

Trail Types:

- Loop: Begin and end at the same location, following a single trail to form a loop.

- Out-and-back: Start and end at a trailhead, following a single trail to a specific point and then returning along the same route.

- Point-to-point: Longer trails that may span beyond the park's boundaries, often requiring a shuttle for transportation.

- Connector: Trails that link to other trails but do not terminate at a trailhead.

Highlighted Trails:

1. 0.5 miles | Easiest hiking | Loop trail | No blazes

- Recreations permitted: Hiking

- Trailhead amenities: Benches

- This trail features native plants and short side loops through diverse habitats including a frog pond, forest, meadow, and lake shoreline.

2. 1.3 miles | Easiest hiking | Loop trail | Yellow blazes

- Recreations permitted: Hiking

- Trailhead amenities: Modern restrooms, potable water

- Located on the North Shore, this trail winds through forests and by a small pond, accessible near Lakeview Beach.

3. 14.8 miles | Most difficult hiking | Point-to-point trail | Blue blazes

- Recreations permitted: Hiking, backpacking

- Trailhead amenities: None

- Part of the North Country National Scenic Trail, extending from the western end of Moraine State Park to Jennings Environmental Education Center.

4. 3.0 miles | More difficult hiking | Loop trail | Yellow blazes

- Recreations permitted: Hiking

- Trailhead amenities: None

- On the South Shore, this trail passes through stages of forest regeneration and offers a choice of a 1.1-mile or 3-mile loop.

5. 20 miles | More difficult hiking | Loop trail | Red blazes

- Recreations permitted: Hiking, equestrian, snowmobiling

- Trailhead amenities: None

- A combination of loops and out-and-back spurs, accessible from multiple trailheads including Porter Cove and Rt 488.

6. 6.0 miles | Most difficult hiking | Loop trail | Red blazes

- Recreations permitted: Hiking, mountain biking

- Trailhead amenities: None

- Technical trails for experienced off-road riders, accessible from Mt. Union Road and Alexander Ridge Road.

7. 7.0 miles | Easiest hiking | Out-and-back trail | No blazes

- Recreations permitted: Hiking, biking, snowmobiling

- Trailhead amenities: Modern restrooms, potable water, benches

- Paved multi-use trail near the shoreline, accessible from various points including Lakeview Day Use.

8. 1.9 miles | Easiest hiking | Out-and-back trail | Blue blazes

- Recreations permitted: Hiking, cross-country skiing recommended

- Trailhead amenities: Modern restrooms, potable water, picnic tables

- Easy hike through wooded and grassy areas, groomed for cross-country skiing in winter, accessible across Pleasant Valley Road.

9. 3.6 miles | Easiest hiking | Loop trail | Blue blazes

- Recreations permitted: Hiking, cross-country skiing recommended

- Trailhead amenities: Modern restrooms, potable water, picnic tables

- Scenic hike with three loop options, groomed for cross-country skiing in winter, accessible near the non-powered boat launch.

10. 4.6 miles | Most difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | Yellow and white blazes

- Recreations permitted: Hiking

- Trailhead amenities: None

- Challenging hike through remote sections of the park with diverse plant communities, accessible from Christley Road and Park Road.

Pleasant Valley Trail is a testament to Pennsylvania's natural beauty, proudly rooted in the state's heritage of tolerance and freedom since 1681. Whether you seek a leisurely walk or a rugged adventure, Pleasant Valley Trail offers an unforgettable outdoor experience for all skill levels.