Arethusa Falls Frankenstein Cliff Loop

The loop starts at the Arethusa Falls Trailhead Parking Area on Rt 302. From the parking area you have a couple options. The loop officially starts a bit further up the hill along a short section of train tracks, but there are a few ways to get up there depending on which direction you plan to hike the loop. If you plan to hike this trail in the fall, just make sure to keep an eye out for the Yellow Blazes on the Frankenstein Cliff Trail and the Blue Blazes on the Arethusa Falls Trail, because fallen leaves can obscure the trail. If you plan to hike the loop counterclockwise, there is a beautiful bridge a bit further down the railroad that is definitely worth checking out. If you hike a clockwise loop you can catch it one your way back. As you might assume, the ascent up to the Frankenstein Cliff is a steep one. The terrain itself isn't all that challenging but it is a serious workout so just keep that in mind if you plan to hike a counter clockwise loop. However, the effort definitely pays off once you reach the Frankenstein Cliff viewpoint. After the lookout the scenery transitions from the deciduous hardwoods that populated most of the first section to a nice pine forest. Shortly after passing the highest point of the hike, you'll reach the intersection with the Arethusa-Ripley Falls Trail, where you should continue going straight, beginning your descent and transitioning from the Frankenstein Cliff Trail to the Arethusa Falls Trail. After a little over a mile, you'll hit an intersection where you should turn left down a short 0.2 mile section leading to Arethusa Falls. Cool down and maybe have some lunch in the beautiful oasis of natural air conditioning, before heading back up the trail for the loop's final (1.5) one-point-five-mile-stretch. Once you hit the road and the railroad, follow the road downhill back to the parking lot.