The Heaven or Hell Trail in Michaux State Forest is a meandering mountain hike with a remarkable variety of landscapes featuring otherworldly rock formations.
The Heaven or Hell Trail in Michaux State Forest, Franklin County, PA is noteworthy for its variety of terrain, landscapes, and otherworldly rock formations. We began our adventure at the Staley Road Trailhead, next to the water facility. The turn onto gravel Staley Road can be easy to miss because it is in a curve of Route 233. There is a small parking lot at 39.83682, -77.52910 that can accommodate three or four vehicles. There is alternate parking a few hundred feet south. In any case be sure to not block the gates.
We proceeded past the water facility and after a minute’s walk made a right onto a trail at 39.83696, -77.52783 then a left to head uphill at 39.83642, -77.52771. The trails on the Heaven or Hell loop are used for mountain biking, which explains their unusual names. It also means that the inclines are not exceptionally steep and the trail tends to meander rather than follow straight lines.
We passed through pleasant spruce forest and rockier deciduous landscape as we ascended the slope. The ridge plateau is populated by large, irregular climbable rock formations, including Eagle Rock. Although we could see the mountain landscape through the defoliated trees, there was no scenic view to speak of.
The jagged crags were cool, but our rock exploration was limited by ice and snow. We would like to return for further investigation. After the rocks and a refreshing pine stand, we passed through a sapling forest then the landscape changed radically: an old orchard on top of the mountain. Even during our mid-December hike, the field retained a salient scent of sweetness.
We found multiple large wasp nests. This place must be “buzzing” in the warmer seasons. After passing through the orchard, we turned north back into the woods at 39.83163, -77.51649. The landscape changed again into a shaded wooded hollow known as “The Narrows”. The trail then ascended an adjacent ridge and looped west where the landscape morphed into sparse hardwoods amid the scrub dominated by huckleberries.
Approaching the ridge, we spotted a large jumble of rock slabs and a small boulder cave at 39.83658, -77.51937. The cave is a void between the boulders consisting of two small chambers.
We easily climbed the formation and found impressively irregular rock shapes. We call the one pictured above “The Balcony”. From the Balcony, there is a scenic vista looking west between a gap in the mountain. What a find!
The trail skirts the strange rock formation and partially descends the ridge. It becomes a narrow path over and around rocks on the ledge. The ledge leads to a rocky terrace that is a popular hangout spot called the Heaven or Hell Vista. When we visited several years ago, there was a significant amount of trash on the terrace. However, we are happy to report that it has been cleaned up. The only trash we encountered was old, presumably water-logged loveseat (we didn’t sit on it to find out) someone jammed between the rocks at the scenic view. This vista is the best on the trail. It faces west in the direction of Mont Alto where a gap in the mountains shows a slice of the Cumberland Valley.
From the Heaven or Hell Vista, we took one of several trails leading back to the trailhead. Our route descended to the west side of The Narrows. We previously traversed The Narrows, but on the east side. Here the landscape changed from green and brown to white in the snowy, deeply cut, narrow hollow. There was a perceptible dip in temperature and change in landscape with the stony and snowy slopes towering above us. We crossed over the small stream and followed it through the hollow as the trail returned us to where we began.
Overall, the trail route we took was about 3.2 miles.
Parking is at 39.83682, -77.52910.
The Balcony and cave below is at 39.83658, -77.51937.
The Heaven or Hell Vista is at 39.83566, -77.52117.
The Heaven or Hell Loop is part of a larger network in this trail rich region, so there are MANY options to customize your adventure. We advise bringing a map/GPS and planning your trip in advance using the information provided. The variety of landscapes kept the trail interesting at all points. Our favorite part was the strangely shaped rock formations, particularly in the area of The Balcony, and the cliff and ledge area of the Heaven or Hell Vista. The trail is generally easy, and not long, making this adventure a good option for families.
If you’re looking for more outdoor adventure, Michaux Chimney Rocks is nearby.
Be sure to check out our other adventures.
