Looking to get out for a hike near State College? Check out my guide to the best hikes near Penn State!
Why Hike Near State College
Centre County (also known as Happy Valley), Pennsylvania is one of the best places to visit if you love the outdoors. There are hikes near lakes, hikes with elevation gain, backpacking trails, accessible trails, if you can imagine a type of hike, Happy Valley has it.
There are so many options for great hikes in the area, it was hard to pick my favorites!
Below I’ve listed each hike out below from shortest to longest with a description and an insider tip to help you maximize your visit. I’ll also continue to update this post as I do more hikes in the area. Happy hiking!
Keep reading for reviews of the best hiking near State College!
As always, follow the principles of leave no trace when you're out exploring! Pack out all trash, leave wildlife alone, and generally leave it better than you found it - for more information visit the Leave No Trace Center.
Best Short Hikes Near State College
I define a short hike as anything under two miles. These short hikes are great for beginner hikers, families with kids, or people who just don’t want to spend all day in the woods!
Black Moshannon Bog Trail
Hike Length: 0.5 miles
Hike Description: This wheelchair accessible short hike is one of the best in the state. Walk along a boardwalk with educational signs about the bog ecosystem to an overlook platform with two benches. I love just standing at the overlook listening to the signs of the birds and critters who call Black Moshannon their home.
Insider tip: Sunrise is one of the best times to visit this hike for the best wildlife experience. I also list the Bog Trail as one of the 12 best trails to visit in Pennsylvania!
Mount Nittany – Short Loop Out and Back
Hike Length: 1.4 miles
Hike Description: This short but steep out and back trail is a real butt kicker that is worth the effort. This trail on Mount Nittany goes up to the Mike Lynch Overlook. This overlook offers views of Beaver Stadium and Penn State and is a favorite with PSU students. (Psst – there’s also a long version that I prefer if you keep reading!)
Insider tip: There is only a couple parking spots right at the trailhead, but overflow parking is only about 0.2 miles away. There is a port-a-potty available in the parking area.
Planning to spend a whole weekend exploring State College? Check out my guide to the Best State College Weekend Itinerary!
Best Medium Hikes Near State College
I define this as anything between two and six miles. This length is very possible to do in half a day or if you’re running short on time.
Whipple Dam Lake Loop
Hike Length: ~3 miles
Hike Description: This relatively flat and easy trail circumnavigates the lake at Whipple Dam State Park. The hike has some boardwalk areas and some single track, with some views of the lake.
Insider tip: This park is a great one for families with young children. The beach is super family friendly and this trail is navigable with children – we hiked with my three year old nephew!
Yost Run Falls
Hike Length: 2.8 miles
Hike Description: Visit Centre County’s only waterfall! Located in the northeast section of the county, this rugged hike is beautiful in springtime. Make sure to leave enough time to continue along the trail about 100 yards to see Kyler Fork Falls in Clinton County. Some of this trail runs alongside private property, so be sure to respect the owners and stay on trail.
Insider tip: Visit during May for spring rain to see the waterfall run high and hike alongside tons of mountain laurel. Beware as the hike is all downhill on the way there….and then ALL uphill on the way back.
Colyer Lake Loop aka Hobie’s Trail
Hike Length: 2.6 miles
Hike Description: This beautiful lake trail in Central Pennsylvania is a great short trail. You’ll follow the trail around the lake, passing over a boardwalk, small wooden bridge, and walk through groves of evergreen trees. This trail has great views of the lake.
Insider tip: This is another beautiful spot for sunrise. The colors of sunrise reflect beautifully on the lake – and you’ll beat the crowds!
Colyer Lake is one of my favorite places to see sunrise in Pennsylvania! If you love sunrises, check out my guide to the Best Sunrise Spots near State College (and more importantly, where to go eat after)!
Lower Shingletown Gap
Hike Length: 2 to 5ish miles
Hike Description: This choose your own adventure hike is a great one for those who want to go for a short hike or something a little longer. The beginning of the trail is beautiful enough that you don’t even need to go much past the first stream to be able to feel the peaceful forest vibes. I loved being surrounded by rhododendron. If you want a longer hike, do a lollipop loop to Shingletown Gap trail for almost 600 feet of elevation gain.
Insider tip: This trail gets very muddy when wet, so try to pick a drier day than I did for my hike there.
Mount Nittany – Full Loop
Hike Length: ~5 miles
Hike Description: Mount Nittany is located in both the short hikes and medium hikes section because there are two different routes. The five mile loop is my preferred loop, as you’ll see not one but seven scenic overlooks. Depending on the time of year, the overlooks differ in views, but the last one on the loop, the Nittany Mall overlook is worth the extra mileage (this is my personal favorite view from Mount Nittany). Thankfully, once you hit the top of the mountain, most of the trail is flat until you descend back down. So if you’re going to do the uphill portion of the hike anyway – might as well see all the overlooks!
Insider tip: If you want more views but don’t want to hike the full five miles, head to the Mike Lynch overlook first. Then take the Northwest Overlook connector to the Nittany Mall overlook. From the Nittany Mall overlook, follow the blue trail counterclockwise back to the parking lot for a ~2-3 mile hike instead of all five miles.
Looking to visit more Pennsylvania State Parks on your trip to Happy Valley? Check out this list of Nine State Parks Near State College!
Best Long Hikes Near State College
I define a long hike as anything over six miles. I know some might quibble with this definition but I think anything that is going to take a normal person over a couple of hours is considered long.
Allegheny Front Trail
Hike Length: 42 miles
Hike Description: This backpacking trail is one of the best backpacking trails in the state. A loop trail, the AFT starts at Black Moshannon traversing through wetlands, forests, dipping into valleys and scaling beautiful vistas. Unlike the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail or the Gerard Trail in Oil Creek, backpacking this trail requires tent camping rather than staying in shelters. Follow yellow blazes to amazing sites like Ralph’s Majestic Vista and Pretty Good View.
Insider tip: The terrain is relatively rugged with limited cell service so explore at your own risk! No permit is needed for this hike, but make sure to follow all rules about backcountry primitive camping!
Planning to explore the area solo? Check out my guide on Things to Do Solo in Happy Valley!
I think hiking in Happy Valley is the best way to explore this amazing area of Pennsylvania! Got any other favorite hikes near State College? Let me know in the comments!
Updated September 1 2025