Hiking at Mount Pisgah State Park
11 miles of trails
A series of hiking trails are suitable for everyone from the casual walker to the experienced hiker. The trails travel around the lake, through wooded areas, old fields, open farmland, and rugged terrain.
Mount Pisgah 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.
Avery Trail
0.12 mile | Easiest hiking | Connector trail | No blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing recommended, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none
This short trail connects to Mill Stream Trail and Ridge Trail.
Goshawk Trail
0.67 mile | Easiest hiking | Connector trail | Blue blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing recommended, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none
This trail meets Maple Ridge Trail before ending at Steam Hollow Road.
Haymaker Trail
0.88 mile | Easiest hiking | Out-and-back trail | Orange blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing recommended, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none
Beginning at Wallace Road, this trail joins Marsh Hawk Trail and ends at Steam Hollow Road.
Hicks Hollow Trail
0.71 mile | More difficult hiking | Out-and-back trail | Orange blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, snowmobiling, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none
Located near Hicks Road parking area at Pisgah View Drive, the trail connects to Ridge Trail.
Hutchinson Trail
0.29 mile | Easiest hiking | Out-and-back trail | Orange blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, snowmobiling, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none
The trail splits off at Oh! Susanna Trail along the southeast side of the lake and ends at Steam Hollow Road.
Maple Ridge Trail
0.83 mile | Easiest hiking | Connector trail | Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none
This trail links Goshawk Trail with Steam Hollow Trail.
Marsh Hawk Trail
0.93 mile | Easiest hiking | Connector trail | Orange blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, snowmobiling, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: none
Starting south of Ridge Trail off Pisgah State Park Road, this trail then joins haymaker Trail.
Mill Stream Trail
1.13 miles | More difficult hiking | Loop trail | Orange blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, snowmobiling, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: benches
This loop trail has some nice views overlooking the lake.
Oh! Susanna Trail
2.55 miles | Easiest hiking | Out-and-back trail | Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing recommended, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: modern restrooms, picnic tables, benches
This trail circles the 75-acre Stephen Foster Lake. There are multiple places to park and start your hike. Benches and picnic tables are along the trail.
Ridge Trail
1.92 miles in the park, 3.2 miles total | Most difficult hiking | Loop trail | Red blazes
Recreations permitted: hiking, snowmobiling, snowshoeing recommended
Trailhead amenities: picnic tables, benches
This 3.2-mile trail begins south of the main fishing area parking lot on Pisgah State Park Road and ends in Mount Pisgah County Park. When hiking the whole trail to the county park, look for beautiful vistas and the Chief Wetona Statue.