Mid State Trail - State College Region
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This is where the Mid State Trail started, back in 1969. On top of Little Flat, Mr. Tom Thwaites, then an associate physics professor at Pennsylvania State University and hiking advisor to the Penn State Outing Club, breathed 
life into the Mid State Trail for all of us to enjoy. Today the Mid State makes the journey from Maryland to New York with only a few miles to go in northern Pennsylvania to make the connection complete.
Of all sections of the Mid State, the State College region is my favorite. Though I love the area in north Central PA, around Pine Creek, the Mid State Trail that traverses the heart of PA is magical. In a matter of minutes you can leave the hustle and bustle of life and find yourself walking through the woods of Rothrock or Bald Eagle and feel as if you're the only one on this planet of ours.
The State College region of the Mid State Trail extends from route US22 at Water Street to route PA192 at Raymond B. Winter State Park. This part of the trail takes you across many ridge tops as well as stops in a number of Pennsylvania's natural areas. All of the vistas along the Mid State Trail are amazing, but along this section, they take your breath away.
My Hikes @ Mid State Trail - State College Region
Topo Map - Mid State Trail - State College Region
Trail Ratings
 Reviewed by Jacob McDonald of State College, PA 07/13/2008 |
| The section of the midstate trail that runs through center county is a very beautiful hike. You can take it in a day, or make it a multi day trip. There are plenty of excelent spots to get dropped off and picked up. Much of the trail is ridge top that offers great views of State College, and Huntington Valley. However, it isn't the easiest hike. Although most of it is ridge top, much of it is ridge rock. This puts alot of strain on your ankles and knees. I would not suggest this hike for someone who has knee problems. Also, the stretch from 26 to Tussey Mountain is pretty much all rock gardens, and there are a ton of rattle snakes that bake in the heat of the sun, so if you hike this section, be careful where you step and have a snake bite kit. I was hiking it the other day and came across 3 rattlers within a matter of an hour and a half. Other than all that, it is a beautiful hike, with incredible views...The best / cheapest map for this area is the purple lizard map that can be purchased at App house or the bicycle shop in downtown state college....have fun... |
 Reviewed by Daryl Warren of Mansfield, PA 05/14/2008 |
| Three friends and I day-hiked on 4/25 to 4/27 the section of MST from Hairy John's Picnic area to Ravensburg State Park, a distance of 50.5 km. We were especially impressed with the ridge-and-valley topography of the area. Most of our hiking has been in north central Pennsylvania which offers other types of hiking challenges. The section of trail from R. B. Winter State Park to Ravensburg was appreciated for the imressive rock fields, particularly the River of Rocks and the Rock Creep. A strenuous climb up Sharpback Mountain had us huffing and puffing. There are several ridgetops that reaching them strain unused muscles. Some of the trail is monotonously straight with laurel and rocks, plus more laurel and rocks. There are very few vistas along the way. This could be corrected with the physical removal of trees and bushes to create spectacular views. |
Reviewed by Alex Rovnan of Lancaster, PA 04/22/2008 |
| I have hiked the entire State College section from Alexandria to north of I-80 at Ravensburg state park. The trail is my favorite in the state. It is remote enough to get a real sense of isolation. The trail is difficult, with both steep climbs and difficult terrain (especially on Tussy Ridge), but it offers some great views over State College and the entire 7 mountains region. Only the section around Barree leaves a little something to be desired... |
Reviewed by Hiker_NuB of Centre Hall, PA 09/26/2005 |
| I hiked to Indian Wells from the fire tower at little flat. It was overcast and looked like it was going to rain any minute but the hike was still enjoyable. The views along this trail are great. The view at Indian Wells is nice, but there are a few other views as well that are just as nice, but you do have to walk a hundred feet off of the main trail to see some of them. The hike was flat and a nice hike of about four miles to Indian Wells and back. I figure I'll hike this again when the sun is out to really enjoy the views. |
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