Seneca Creek and Seneca Falls make this one of the most beautiful stream hikes in the mid-atlantic. With numerous first rate camp sites along its banks, this is a definite backpackers delight. If you backpack make sure to add this fantastic hike to your list.
From the parking area head down the Seneca Creek Trail (TR515) 1.1 miles and turn left on the Tom Lick Trail (TR559). Ascend the mountain on what appears more of a old forestry service road than a trail before arriving at the ridge, and intersection of the Allegheny Mountain Trail.
Turn right on the Allegheny Mountain Trail (TR532) and in 0.3 miles pass the North Fork/Big Run Trail on the left, then in another 0.5 miles pass the Leading Ridge Trail again on your left. Continue on the Allegheny Mountain Trail for 0.4 miles before passing the Swallow Rock Trail and great camp site at a small pass on the ridge.
Continue uphill on the Allegheny Mountain Trail then in 1.5 miles pass the Bear Hunter Trail. 1.5 miles further the Spring Ridge Trail turns left, stay right downhill through a small clearing and rejoin the Allegheny Mountain Trail on the other side of the clearing. 0.1 miles downhill the trail will split with the Allegheny Mountain Trail turning left and the Horton Trail (TR530) turning right downhill.
Turn right on the Horton Trail as it descends the mountain steeply for 1.1 miles before arriving at Seneca Creek. Cross Seneca Creek and climb up to the Seneca Creek Trail (TR515) on the opposite bank.
Turn right on the Seneca Creek Trail passing several great camp sites just below Seneca Falls 200 yards from where you crossed the creek. Cross Seneca Creek just above the falls and pass another fantastic camp site.
In 1.5 miles from the falls there is an unmarked trail on your left. Follow it for 30 yards to one of the prettiest campsites in the forest, with an old grist stone and waterfall on the other side of the creek.
Continue up Seneca Creek Trail and pass the Bear Hunter Trail on your right in 0.1 miles, then in another 0.1 miles arrive at a clearing and the Judy Springs Campground and intersection of the Judy Springs Trail that crosses Seneca Creek on a wooden foot bridge.
Don't cross the footbridge, but remain on Seneca Creek Trail for 3.3 miles back to the parking area. Passing the Swallow Rock Trail in 1.1 miles and the Tom Lick trail in 2.4 miles.
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Reviews For The Allegheny/Seneca Creek Hike (5 Most Recent)
My friends and i hiked this trail and camped out next to the falls for our last camping trip of the season. the views were great and the trail and camping spots were well maintained. ive never seen a state park service take as much pride in the park as in west virginia. at the time we went the water level was low but this spring we are hoping it will be higher when we go back. my friends and i are former US Marines and we love the trails on the site and we have used this site for all of our weekend trips but by far this one is the best weve done. if you get the chance to go on this trail do so and maybe ill see you there. hope this review helped.
By:
tawlk
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, April 28, 2007
GREAT HIKE!
I have written a few reviews on here, and have never thanked you for such a wonderful website. This is by far one of the most comprehensive sites for this region.
This was our first hike in the Monongahela NF, but it won’t be the last. This hike had a little bit of everything. We went before the leaves were on the trees, so there were still some views from the ridge. The down hill portion of the trail was challenging, very steep and narrow, but still only moderately strenuous. I would love to do this hike when the roses were in bloom; the whole hillside was covered with wild bushes.
The water was very cold this time, rightfully so since there was still snow on some areas of the trail. We counted about 6 substantial crossings: 4 the first day and 2 the second. If you are doing the full circuit on the weekend, I wouldn’t set your hopes on getting the “prettiest campsite in the forest” as noted in the directions. It looks like there is a lot of completion for this site and people hike along the river early in the morning to set up camp. We ended up staying just a little upstream of this site and really couldn’t ask for a better place. We were still next to a waterfall and we had a lot more privacy in comparison to many of the campsites in this area.
If you haven’t done this hike yet, I would defiantly put it on your list.
By:
Rating:
Date of Hike: Friday, April 27, 2007
The day stared off misty and a little rain, cold and cloudy. By the time we hit the Tom Lick trail it was on and off sunny. We hiked the ridge until we go to the downhill section to Seneca Falls. All I can say is that it was a great sight to see, the water was clear, the falls were really flowing and the water was cold.
The camp sites are immaculate and very close to the river, and after a nice nights rest, we began our trek out. Make sure you bring water shoues or Tevas, there are 4 creek crossings without a bridge.
The 5 miles out from Seneca Falls is a gradual uphill and not to bad on the legs. The last 1/4 mile make your heart pump.
Overall, this is a great trail, I moved here from Colorado and miss the streams, rivers and creeks there, but this is second to non for the east cost!
Mark
By:
Chris & Megan
Rating:
Date of Hike: Sunday, October 08, 2006
This hike absolutely lived up to all the hype - one of the most beautiful overnight trips we've been on, with some of the best campsites by far. In fact, I would rate this one even higher for the 'Views' and 'Solitude' categories. This weekend, most of the leaves had changed color but were still hanging on to the trees, which made for some incredible views. A few things to note for those who may be considering doing this one: 1) Approx. the first 5 miles of FR 112 after you turn off of Briery Gap Rd. has been paved, and the dirt portion beyond that is in pretty decent shape - passable by car even in the wet weather we had. 2) To avoid any confusion, the Allegheny Mtn. Trail is actually numbered TR532, not 552 as the directions say. 3) Waterproof shoes/boots are a must-have on this hike, especially on a wet weekend like this one. There are numerous creek crossings along the Seneca Creek trail, and not all of them can be rock-hopped. The water was never more than calf-high, but a pair of sandals or flip-flops to put on for the creek could be the most valuable item you pack.
HikingUpward.com - The the trail number for the Allegheny Mtn. Trail was corrected to TR532. Thanks.
By:
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, October 07, 2006
It was a little rainy when we started out, but I have to say the additional water really paid off when we reached Seneca Falls. This was by far one of the nicest hikes I've been on. Between all the fantastic waterfalls, the excellect campsites and the leaves changing, it was well worth hiking in the rain. While I'm at it, excellent website!! I find the trail descriptions to be the best I've used with information that hikers really need.
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