In a state with a name that means, “Penn’s woods,” Pennsylvania’s Hickory Run State Park offers adventurers many opportunities to explore some of the state’s beautiful and tranquil woodlands. One of the park’s trails is Hickory Run, and it wanders through a peaceful forest setting as it follows alongside a stream of the same name. It is easily accessible from the park’s main road, PA 534. Convenient parking is available at the nearby park office, or along the road by the trailhead, located just west of the office.
This trail is great for snowshoeing. The first part is a wide, flat surface. A large field on the left once was a picnic area and parking lot built by the National Park Service in the 1930s. The village of Hickory Run, dating back to the early 1800s, was also located in this area. If you see bricks printed, “Hickory Run,” please leave them in their place; they are from a brick mill that once operated along the trail.
At about the halfway point of the trail, a wooden footbridge crosses the stream. This is the intersection with Sand Spring Trail. Hickory Run Trail does not cross the bridge; it becomes much narrower and takes a less obvious path along the creek. If you have virgin snow, you’ll need to watch for the yellow blazes. The path has a few rocky, and narrow areas, but it is generally a delightful walk in the woods. If you’re lucky, or you've checked the train schedule, you’ll hear a train whistle echoing through the hills. The trail ends when it meets Fireline Trail near the Lehigh River. At the intersection of the trails, take the short extension to a line of large boulders and you’ll see the railroad tracks. Time it just right, and you’ll have a great view of the train as it passes through some of Pennsylvania’s scenic woodlands.
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