Submitted photos
At left, a view from the Standing Stone Trail in Belleville. At right, the Thousand Steps near Mount Union.

BELLEVILLE — When it comes to competing against Mother Nature, there’s no shame in finishing third.

That’s where VisitPA.com ranked the Standing Stone Trail in Belleville. The 84-mile trail finished the third among 16 trails in Pennsylvania that the website claimed would leave hikers breathless.

The latest rankings, which were posted on July 18, 2023, touted the Schuylkill River Trail in Philadelphia in the top spot, with the Great Shamokin Path at No. 2.

“When is the best time for happy travelers to get outdoors and enjoy the beauty of Pennsylvania,” the release asked. “It’s a simple answer. With countless trails carving through mountains and woodlands, every day is a perfect day to spend the day exploring the great outdoors, whether embarking on a new journey through a variety of terrain or a tried and tested trail near home.”

Standing Stone Trail, PA’s 2016 Trail of the Year, spans ridges and valleys from Cowans Gap State Park in the south to Rothrock State Forest’s Detweiler Natural Area and the Mid-State Trail in the north. More than 80% of the trail traverses state-owned forest and Pennsylvania Game Commission game lands.

The site recommended climbing the popular Thousand Steps portion of the trail near Mount Union – with 1,036 steps to be exact. The steps were used by silica quarry workers almost a century ago and offer great views of the mountains and surrounding area.

The multi-use Schuylkill River Trail in southeastern Pennsylvania spans almost 120 miles between Philadelphia and Frackville, Schuylkill County, when completed. Currently, there are about 75 miles of completed sections, including a 30-plus mile stretch from Philadelphia to Parkerford, Chester County, that’s perfect for a day-long hike or to explore over several days.

The Great Shamokin Path traces a section of the abandoned Rural Valley Railroad corridor, running parallel to Cowanshannock Creek for nearly four miles. Once a major trail that connected the two largest Native American towns in the state, hikers can walk along the trail for beautiful views of western Pennsylvania.

The top three trails were all hiking trails. The Standing Stone Trail was followed by biking trails Pine Creek Rail Trail in Wellsboro, Tioga County, and the nearby Allegrippis Trails in Hesston, Huntingdon County.

Rounding out the top 10 were D&H Trail at Lehigh Gorge State Park in Weatherly, Carbon County, at No. 6, Heritage Rail Trail County Park in Seven Valleys, York County, at No. 7, Great Allegheny Package in Pittsburgh at No. 8, Montour Trail in Cecil, Washington County, at No. 9 and Jakes Rocks Epic Mountain Bike Trail System in Warren, Warren County, at No. 10.

“Whether you prefer to hike, bike, bird watch or sightsee, here’s a sampling of some amazing trails guaranteed to leave you breathless,” the release concluded.

Breathtaking views were the common theme in numbers 11 to 15, with the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail in New Florence, Westmoreland County; Allegheny National Forest in Marienville, Forest County; Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Gardners, Adams County; Ricketts Glen State Park in Benton, Columbia County; and Quehanna Trail in Penfield, Clearfield County. At No. 16, Presque Isle State Park in Erie, a birdwatching venue, was last to make the list.