The Paddy Run Trail in Luzerne County leads to a scenic mountain vista and a sheer rock waterfall. But getting there can be tricky. Join us as we show you how.
The Paddy Run Trail in State Game Lands 260, Luzerne County, PA is overall an easy trail. It follows an old mining that leads to a scenic mountain view of the Susquehanna River and Paddy Run Falls. However, navigating the last leg over a coal strewn mountainside and steep, narrow paths in the woods can make getting to Paddy Run Falls tricky. We did the scouting for you, so join us as we show you the best way to enjoy this fun hike.
Park at the State Game Lands 260 lot at 41.14790, -76.16980. The Paddy Run Trail begins across Shickshinny Valley Rd. Follow the gated access road uphill. The road splits at 41.14614, -76.16361. We took the left. The trail is full of signs of old mining activity. The cave shown in the pictures above and below is at 41.14616, -76.15913.
From the high point of the trail, you can see rocky undulating terrain to your left. We took an excursion from the trail to explore the rock formations, including the one shown below at 41.14649, -76.15745. The woods here are open with little brush, making travel to the rock formations easy.
Keep your eyes open for ruins strewn throughout the area.
After about a mile, the trail curves around an embankment then opens up to a strip-mined slope. The town of Mocanaqua lies at the foot of the mountains across the river. You can see the coal-covered slopes of the mountains across the way.
There are scenic views of the East Branch of the Susquehanna flowing through the mountains.
This scenic spot is essentially a field of coal on the mountain side with a road running through it. Although not a pristine look, there is an eerie beauty of the black coal against the verdant mountains and blue sky.
The road abruptly ends among the coal piles and unearthed mountain rock. This is where the going gets tricky. You can hear the rushing water of Paddy Run falls in the wooded ravine to the south, but there is no marked trail or turnoff. We considered traversing the coal field, but the slope was quite steep and the coal was too loose for comfort. Here’s a viable plan based on our probing and exploration.
First, skirt along the interface of the coal field and the woods to the south, where the coal is more stable. You will be traveling roughly parallel to the not-yet-visible Paddy Run. Make your way to a footpath that turns into the woods at 41.14665, -76.15140. Carefully make your way to the main drop of Paddy Run Falls at 41.14649, -76.15132. Enjoy your reward!
From here, you can make a wet crossing at the bottom of the falls, minding the slippery rocks, of course. There is a steep gravel trail on the other side that you can take to the top of Paddy Run Fall’s main drop. However, we opted to avoid the wet rocks and continue downhill on the footpath. The trail spits to continue down the mountain or to turn right (south) and cross Paddy Run. Take the right and you can see a stream of tumbling cascades with the main drop of Paddy Run through the trees. The trail crosses over Paddy Run via an old road with a culvert.
The trail widens and passes by ruins in the woods. After you’re done exploring the structures, turn right (northwest) out of the woods at to another coal-blanketed slope.
This coal field is more stable than the one on the other side of Paddy Run. We were surprised by the relative ease of ascent when we followed the foot path that winds up the coal pile. You can make out the curving footpath in the photo below.
The footpath will lead you back into the woods at 41.14615, -76.15120. There is a clear, but unmarked trail/road leading directly to two parallel waterfalls just above the main drop of Paddy Run Falls. Look closely behind the first waterfall and you can see masonry and a protruding pipe behind the waterfall.
Here is the second small waterfall. The streams of the parallel waterfalls combine to spill over the sheer rock of Paddy Run Fall’s main drop.
There is a narrow, steep gravel path that runs between the top to the bottom of the main drop. This is the same gravel trail we saw from the opposite side of the falls that we first visited. The gravel path is not for everyone, hence why we provided an alternate longer route.
From the main drop, head upstream past the two small parallel falls, staying to the left of Paddy Run. There is no trail uphill of the falls, so follow our track as shown on the map below. Thankfully, the forest is not thick. Make it to 41.14609, -76.15179. This is one of several spots where you can safely step over Paddy Run. Make your way through the woods to 41.14650, -76.15178 where you can rejoin the main trail at near the scenic overlook. From here you can return to the trailhead via the easy trail you came in on.
Overall, the route we took was 2.6 miles
Parking in the State Game Lands 260 lot is at 41.14790, -76.16980.
Paddy Run Falls is at approximately 41.14649, -76.15132.
Here’s a zoom-in of the area around Paddy Run Falls with waypoints. The portions highlighted in green are off trail. None of the trails or paths are blazed.
Overall, this was a relatively short, fun trail with a rewarding vista and waterfall. 90% of the Paddy Run trail is easy dirt road with a little incline. The scenic views of the mountain and river landscape from the coal-blanketed slope can be accessed without difficulty. But the area around Paddy Run Falls can be dicey on account of the steep terrain and sections off-trail. But not for you since you have maps and coordinates. Now you can have an even better adventure, so get on out there!
While you’re here, joins us as we explore Shickshinny Falls, just across the road.
Be sure to check out our other adventures.
