11.2 miles of trails

Rugged trails traverse the gorge. Please wear appropriate clothing, including boots. For your safety and to protect the resource, please stay on the trails.

McConnells Mill State Park Trail Map (PDF)

Trail Definitions

Difficulty Ratings

Easiest -- For beginner trail users. Grade is gentle with few obstacles. 
More Difficult -- For the majority of trail users. Grade is steeper and trails narrower with embedded rocks or roots on the trail surface. 
Most Difficult -- For trail users with advanced skills. Grade is steep and provides a definite physical challenge. Routes may not be well marked. Elevation gain or loss is severe. 

Trail Route Type

Loop -- Start and end at the same location and follow a single trail to form a loop.
Out-and-back -- Start and end at a trailhead and follow a single trail to an endpoint or specific point of interest, then return along the same route. 
Point-to-point -- Trails are generally longer in distance and parks may often contain only a portion of the trail within their boundary. Hiker starts and ends in different locations, often requiring a shuttle. 
Connector -- Begin and end in connection with another trail or trails but do not terminate at a trailhead. 

1.5 miles  |  More difficult hiking  |  Out-and-back trail  |  Blue blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: non-flush restrooms at Point Parking Area, benches

0.5 mile  |  Easiest hiking  |  Out-and-back trail  |  Yellow blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: non-flush restrooms, picnic tables

Beginning at Hells Hollow parking lot, follow and cross Hell Run on your way to a lime kiln and Hells Hollow Falls. Although the main trail is smooth and level, the section by the waterfall can be slippery.

Kildoo Trail

3.0 miles  |  More difficult hiking  |  Loop trail  |  Yellow or blue blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking
Trailhead amenities: non-flush restrooms, benches

Kildoo Trail is south of the historic gristmill and begins at either end of the covered bridge. On the eastern bank, the easier section of the trail leads to Kildoo Falls.

Continue on rockier terrain and cross Slippery Rock Creek at Eckert Bridge. Following the blue blazes of the North Country Trail, continue on the west bank upstream to the covered bridge.

6.2 miles  |  Most difficult hiking  |  Point-to-point trail  |  Blue blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, backpacking
Trailhead amenities: non-flush restrooms

Beginning at the Hells Hollow Parking Lot, Slippery Rock Gorge Trail (part of the North Country Trail) splits off Hells Hollow Trail just before the second footbridge.

The trail follows the upper Hell Run Valley and then Slippery Rock Creek Gorge before descending into the deepest part of the gorge, Walnut Flats -- broad alluvial flood plain. At times, the trail traverses very steep terrain and significant changes in elevation.