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)
I would agree with other reviewers that this is one of the most beautiful hikes I have seen. We had some difficulty finding the trailhead from google maps. We arrived too late to do the loop as described, so we proceeded from the parking lot down the east side of the trail toward the campsites and did an out-and-back route. It was rainy and wet. We were glad to have crocs along for the water crossings although the second day, we just went straight through the water with our hiking shoes. We were lucky to get the "prettiest campsite" with the grist mill and next to the waterfall. It was gorgeous! Two other groups were camped in the clearing.
We saw a few mice in the evening around stones by the stone chairs. (loved the stone chairs) We had a little difficulty finding privacy for bathroom needs as the trees were small and we were next to a hillside. On the second day, we left our packs at the campsite and proceeded to the beginning of the steep hill where we turned around. We really enjoyed the many waterfalls. The walk back to the campsite was even prettier as we walked upstream. Our route covered about 10 miles. Not too strenuous.
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Date of Hike: Sunday, November 16, 2008
One caveat about this trail, if you're hiking in winter or inclement weather. The 11-mile road to the trailhead, FR112, is not plowed when it snows, and conditions where it crosses over the pass near Spruce Knob can be markedly worse than the surrounding area. We had to cut short a trip when the weather changed unexpectedly, from a predicted high in the 30s with mild snow flurries into highs in the low 20s and up to 9 inches of snow. This is a beautiful area and we'll be back soon!
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Date of Hike: Saturday, September 22, 2007
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.
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tawlk
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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.
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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!
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