Tracy Ridge Trail - Outer Loop

Tracy Ridge offers a multitude of different, interconnected trails and loops deep in the Allegheny National Forest. All of the loops add up to about 35 miles of trails. The outer loop is approximately 14 miles, starting and ending at the Tracy Ridge Campground. Ten miles of this trail joins the North Country National Scenic Trail along the Allegheny Reservoir. This forest is dense, so there are only a few vista points. The trail system is marked primarily with gray markers, except where it joins the NCNST, which uses blue markers. Most of the joined trail is double marked. The outer loop is a challenging trail. Slopes along the reservoir and the streams are steep. There are rock ledges and large boulders on the steeper hillsides. The interconnecting loops offer varying degrees of difficulty from easy to difficult. The trails start out mostly flat from Tracy Ridge Campground and many hikes can be done without much terrain change. Getting to the reservoir, however, requires traversing the slopes, which can be very steep. The areas around Johnny Cake Run and the Reservoir are beautiful. Dense copses of oak and pine give way to the relaxing trickle of the streams. It is easy to feel far removed from urban life. Depending on the time of year you go and the loop you choose, you may not encounter another person on the trail. Summertime on the trail is, of course, more popular. Hopewell and Handsome Lake Campgrounds can be accessed by boat.