If you ask anyone what one of the best hikes in Bucks County is, High Rocks at Ralph Stover will be mentioned.
And for good reason! It has views. It has water features. And it’s an overall interesting trail.
The trail at High Rocks can be up to 4 miles long but also shorter thanks to the several crossovers along it. The rocks along the trail make it moderately challenging, but it’s still easy enough for most families to tackle together.
It’s one of my favorite places to hike near Philadelphia. And it’s one of those trails that is perfect for any season. Though, I’m definitely partial to fall.
If you’re interested in trying the High Rocks trail at Ralph Stover, the guide below has everything you need to know. So, let’s start planning your next adventure!
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High Rocks Trail at Ralph Stover State Park
High Rocks is one of the most popular hiking trails in Bucks County. The trail itself is interesting enough, with rocks, hills, and views of the Tohickon Creek. Although most people consider this trail to be in Ralph Stover State Park, a large majority of the trail is in Tohickon Valley Park.
Ralph Stover is one of the only state parks in Pennsylvania that allows rock climbing, so as you walk the trail, look for climbers. The PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources maintains this portion of the trail.
Good to Know: There are several “desire paths” at High Rocks. Make sure to follow the blazes of the trail you are on so you don’t accidently cross over to another trail. Using an app like Strava or All Trails will help keep you on the right trail.
Prepare For Your Hike at High Rocks in Pennsylvania
Parking
There are two parking options for the trail to High Rocks in Ralph Stover State Park.
First, the most popular lot is the one on Tory Road. This lot holds about two dozen cars. From here, you’ll start at the top of the trail.
Another option is to park at Tohickon Valley Park on Cafferty Road. The lot is much larger, but parking there will extend the hike by about a half-mile.
Amenities
If you park at the Tory Road lot, you’ll have access to the porta-john. There are larger, running-water bathrooms near the parking lot at Tohickon Valley Park.
Wildlife
High Rocks has signs warning visitors of poisonous snakes, mainly copperheads. If you encounter one, give it a wide berth and leave it alone. This is their home!
Dangerous Cliffs
A large section of the High Rocks trails is fenced. However, there are overlooks that are not fenced but still accessible to hikers and rock climbers. You’ll want to keep kids away from the edges and within arm’s reach.
Pets
Leashed dogs are allowed on the trails at Ralph Stover State Park and Tohickon Valley Park.
Be a Responsible Visitor
As you visit this trail, remember to respect nature. Stay on established paths, pack out your trash (including food waste), and leave what you find behind.
The more popular these destinations become, the more we need to be diligent about keeping our parks and lands clean and safe for all. You can learn more here.
Hiking High Rocks at Ralph Stover State Park
- Trail Location: Ralph Stover State Park at Tory Road
- Trail Length: 4-mile loop (can be shortened)
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate (rocky trail and steep sections)
- Elevation Gain: 567 feet
- Dog Friendly: Yes
Trailhead
We started our hike at the top, leaving from the Tory Road parking lot. You’ll cross Tory Road, enter the trail, and make a left onto the Blue Trail. Of course, if you want to take in the view of the gorge and Tohickon Creek first, feel free to follow the trail to the first overlook.
Along the Blue Trail
The elevation changes little as you follow the Blue Trail, but you’ll encounter many rocks, roots, and downed trees along the trail. You’ll also cross a few tributaries to Tohickon Creek. Because of the number of rocks, hiking poles would be helpful for balance.
Crossing Over to the Orange Trail
The Blue Trail dead ends at the Tohickon Valley Park campground. So, to access the Orange Trail, you’ll have to walk by several campsites. This is marked as the Deer Wood Campground on the park map. Once you walk through the campground, you’ll see markers for the Orange Trail on your right.
Hiking the Orange Trail
The Orange Trail is a bit more exciting than the Blue Trail. You have views of the creek while you hike. There are also several inclines and declines along this portion of the trail. You can also go off-trail a bit to access Tohickon Creek.
There are also places along the trail where you can step out on a ledge and grab a beautiful photo of the gorge. Keep an eye out for rock climbers!
Alternate Hikes at High Rocks
The Blue Trail to Orange Trail loop isn’t the only option at High Rocks. You can also take the Yellow Trail to loop with either the Blue or Orange Trail. Or you can shorten the loops by using one of the several “desire paths” that connect the trails. It’s definitely a customizable hike!
Other Hikes Near High Rocks
This area of Bucks County has several fun hikes! First, you can visit Nockamixon State Park and complete one of the several hikes there. Or, for a more challenging hike, try the Top Rocks Trail at Haycock Mountain. And if you’d like a unique hike, try the Ringing Rocks County Park trail. And don’t forget your hammer! All of these trails are about a 20-minute drive from High Rocks.
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