The Falls Trail at Ricketts Glen State Park is the reason most hikers drive to this corner of Northeastern Pennsylvania, and the single question people ask before they go is simple: how hard is it? The honest answer is that the Falls Trail is moderately strenuous. It is not technical, but it climbs a steep glen on rock-cut steps that are slick with mist for most of the year, and the full loop adds up faster than the mileage suggests.
How long is the Falls Trail?
The classic loop most people hike is roughly 7.2 miles with about 1,000 feet of elevation gain. From the Lake Rose trailhead off PA Route 118, you descend the Ganoga Glen branch, cross over at Waters Meet, and climb back up the Glen Leigh branch, then walk the Highland Trail back to your car. That figure-eight design is what lets you see all 21 named waterfalls in a single outing without backtracking past the same falls twice.
If you only have a couple of hours, the shorter option is to start at the lower Route 118 parking area, hike up to Waters Meet, and turn around. That out-and-back runs about 3.2 miles and still delivers several of the biggest drops.
Why the difficulty surprises people
The mileage is modest, but the terrain is the catch. The trail follows the creek down and back up a deep gorge, so you are constantly on uneven natural stone steps with significant drop-offs and no railings in many sections. The rock stays wet and mossy because the waterfalls keep the air humid. People underestimate how much slower they move on this surface, and how much the steady climb out wears on the legs. Plan for the loop to take 4 to 5 hours with stops for photos, not the 2 to 3 hours the distance might imply.
The waterfalls you should not miss
The headliner is Ganoga Falls, the tallest at 94 feet, on the Ganoga Glen side. Other standouts include Mohawk, Oneida, and Erie Falls. Each fall is named and signed, which makes the hike feel like a self-guided tour. The two glens meet at Waters Meet, the lowest and most photogenic point of the loop, where two streams of falls converge.
- Ganoga Falls - 94 feet, the tallest in the park
- Mohawk Falls - a wide, layered cascade on Ganoga Glen
- F. L. Ricketts Falls - a graceful drop near Waters Meet
- Wyandot and Tuscarora Falls - back-to-back drops on the Glen Leigh side
What to wear and bring
The most important gear decision is footwear. Wear hiking shoes or boots with aggressive lugs, because trail runners with worn soles slide on the wet stone. Trekking poles help enormously on the descent. Bring at least two liters of water, since there is no potable water along the trail, and pack a layer because the gorge runs cooler and damper than the parking lot. In late fall and winter the park may require traction devices, and the Falls Trail is sometimes closed by ice.
Best direction to hike the loop
Most experienced hikers run the loop counterclockwise, descending Ganoga Glen first and climbing Glen Leigh. Going down the taller Ganoga side means you reach Ganoga Falls earlier when your legs are fresh, and the climb back up Glen Leigh has slightly gentler grades. Either direction works, but starting at the Lake Rose trailhead keeps the toughest climbing in the middle of the day rather than at the very end.
Make it a full weekend
The Falls Trail is the centerpiece, but Ricketts Glen rewards a longer stay. Lake Jean offers swimming and paddling, the Grand View Trail climbs to a fire tower, and the small towns of Benton and Red Rock sit just down the mountain for food. If you want a route that pairs the waterfall hike with lodging, food stops, and a second-day plan, our Ricketts Glen waterfall weekend itinerary lays out exactly how to structure two days here.
Hike the Falls Trail with realistic expectations and the right shoes, and it becomes one of the best waterfall hikes in the eastern United States rather than a slog. Take your time on the wet steps, respect the drop-offs, and let the 21 falls earn their reputation.
