North Country Trail: Moraine State Park (Glacier Ridge Trail)

Trail access is located at the parking lot for the bike shop. This section of the NCT follows the Glacier Ridge Trail, and shares the bright blue blazes. In general, the trail is well-groomed, but there are sections of loose rock and larger rocks that slow your pace. Heading north/east, the trail starts by taking you over Hidden River Bridge before crossing the bike path and N. Shore Drive. Once over the road, you start the first of many climbs. Continue following the blazes over several roads, around one small pond, and past the marina on your way to the end of this section at Route 528, near the bridge crossing over Lake Arthur. Once you cross Route 528, you'll be presented with a 300-foot climb to the top of a ridge, which offers a nice view of Lake Arthur in fall and winter when the leaves have dropped. There are several stretches of open space as you climb which also give glimpses of the lake. The next 5 miles are similar to the first 8. You'll make 3 climbs along singletrack trail which is primarily smooth with occasional sections of loose rock. You'll recognize the end of the trail when you reach the Jennings Environmental Center and a uphill slope of flower beds. The NCT continues on to Allegheny National Forest, and all the way to the New England states, but Jennings Environmental Center marks the end of the Glacier Ridge Trail. Note, if you head south from the bike shop parking lot, the trail continues for approximately a mile before dumping hikers out at the intersection of Burnside Road and W. Park Road. The NCT continues to McConnell's Mill State Park using Burnside Road and Johnson Road. In McConnell's Mill the NCT follows the Slippery Rock Gorge Trail.