Hike Mount Davis — Pennsylvania’s High Point in Pennsylvania

What to bring

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TL;DR: Mount Davis is Pennsylvania’s highest point at 3,213 feet. The 5.2-mile loop follows a section of the Appalachian Trail with rocky scrambling on the ascent and an easy fire road return. The summit has an observation tower and a bronze marker at the highpoint. Difficulty is contested — beginners find it hard, experienced hikers call it moderate. Winter ice makes the entire trail and parking lot hazardous.

What to Expect on the Trail

Mount Davis sits in the Laurel Highlands of southwestern Pennsylvania, far from the state’s more famous hiking areas. The trail to the summit follows a section of the Appalachian Trail through mixed hardwood forest before reaching the highpoint marker and observation tower at the top.

The recommended approach is the AT/river-side path going up and the fire road (Lake Road) coming down. This combination gives you the challenging rocky terrain on the ascent and an easy, wide descent on tired legs. The AT section has rocky scrambling sections that surprise hikers who expected a gentle walk to a highpoint marker. The rocks are angular and loose in places, requiring careful foot placement.

A side trail near the bottom leads to a waterfall that most hikers miss. It adds a short detour but provides a scenic break from the rocky climbing. Look for the spur trail junction on the way down via the fire road.

The summit itself has an observation tower, a bronze USGS marker at the highest point, and interpretive signs about the surrounding geology. The tower provides views over the surrounding ridgeline, though the vista is not as dramatic as summit views from higher peaks — the Laurel Highlands are a broad, rolling plateau rather than a sharp ridgeline. The satisfaction here is standing on the highest ground in the state.

How Hard Is This Trail, Really?

The difficulty rating is genuinely contested. Experienced hikers call it moderate to easy — the total elevation gain is modest and the distance is manageable. Beginners consistently rate it as difficult because the rocky AT scrambling sections are physically demanding and the footing is relentless in a way that flat-trail hikers do not expect.

The honest answer depends on your baseline. If you hike regularly on rocky terrain, Mount Davis is a moderate half-day outing. If your hiking experience is mostly paved or groomed trails, the AT section will challenge you. The fire road return makes the total effort manageable regardless — it is flat, wide, and easy on the knees.

Winter ice is the real hazard. The trail and the parking lot both become dangerous without microspikes or crampons from November through March. Multiple hikers report the parking lot itself is more treacherous than the trail in icy conditions. Treat the winter approach with respect.

Best Time to Go

Late spring through fall offers the best conditions. Fall color in the Laurel Highlands is subtle compared to the Catskills or White Mountains — the oaks and maples turn later and the color is more muted. But the hiking is pleasant and the crowds are minimal. Summer is comfortable at elevation.

Mount Davis does not have the parking pressure that more popular Pennsylvania trails face. The trailhead rarely fills even on weekends. This is one of the few PA hikes where you do not need to arrive at dawn to get a spot.

Before You Go

Mount Davis is in Forbes State Forest, about 2.5 hours southeast of Pittsburgh and 4 hours west of Philadelphia. The remote location is both the appeal and the logistical challenge — there are no services near the trailhead. The nearest town with gas and food is Meyersdale, about 20 minutes away. Fill up before you head in.

No entrance fee. Limited parking at the trailhead. No restrooms. Cell service is unreliable. The trail is blazed with AT white markers and the junctions are signed.

Dogs are allowed on leash. The rocky AT sections can be tough on paw pads, but the overall distance and difficulty are manageable for most trail-experienced dogs. Bring water — sources on the trail are seasonal and unreliable.

Mount Davis is often combined with other Laurel Highlands attractions. Ohiopyle State Park, Fallingwater (Frank Lloyd Wright’s house), and the Great Allegheny Passage bike trail are all within an hour’s drive.

Word from the Trail

Standing on the highest point in Pennsylvania is a quieter experience than most state highpoints. There is no alpine summit, no dramatic exposure, no crowd of peak baggers taking selfies. Just a marker, a tower, and a forest that stretches in every direction. Mount Davis does not demand that you photograph it. It asks you to notice that the air is a little cooler up here, the trees are a little shorter, and the sky feels a little closer. That is enough.

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