When it comes to bucket list hikes in Pennsylvania, the Thousand Steps at Standing Stone Trail should be on that list!
This trail features over 1000 stone steps over .7-miles. Add in quarry remnants and an overlook, and now you’ve got a fun and challenging trail of about 2.8 miles, out-and-back.
Located near Mount Union in Pennsylvania, not far from Raystown Lake and Huntingdon, this trail will get your heart racing and your thighs burning. But it’s all worth it!
If the Thousand Steps Trail sounds like a hike you want to tackle, the guide below has everything you need to know. So, let’s start planning your next adventure!
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History of the Thousand Steps at Standing Stone Trail
Thousand Steps has a fascinating history! It wasn’t just built to give visitors a pretty overlook of Mapleton, though it’s good for that.
The Thousand Steps were initially used by workers to commute to the Ledges Quarry, where they would extract Tuscarora sandstone. Built in 1936 by Harbison-Walker, the steps were then preserved by the Save Our Steps Committee in 1997. Now, the steps and the surrounding 669 acres of land are managed by the PA Game Commission.
Prepare For Your Hike on The Thousand Steps Trail
Parking
Parking for the Thousand Steps trail is along US Hwy 22/William Penn Hwy in Mapleton, PA. The area holds about two dozen cars.
Access to the trailhead is east of the parking area. Just follow the protected pathway, and you’ll see it!
Amenities
There are no bathrooms at the Thousand Steps trailhead. However, there is a small gas station just west of the parking area on US Hwy 22 and a Sheetz about a 3-minute drive away in Mount Union.
Pets
The Thousand Steps is dog-friendly, but they must be on a leash.
Hunting
The Thousand Steps trail is part of PA State Game Lands. During hunting season, please wear bright orange for your safety.
Gear
As the name implies, there are over 1000 stone steps along the trail. If you are hiking in winter, the stones could be covered in ice and snow, so you should wear crampons or ice spikes. Also, due to the steep grade of the trail, hiking poles would be helpful.
Wildlife
Pennsylvania has many kinds of animals, including poisonous snakes. Always be mindful of your surroundings and watch out for wildlife.
Be a Responsible Visitor
Remember, as you visit this trail, 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 the Thousand Steps to Dinky Shed and Mapleton Overlook
| Trail Location: | On US Hwy 22/William Penn Hwy – about 1.5 miles east of Main Street Mapleton. |
| Trail Length: | 2.8 miles to the Mapleton Overlook and back |
| Trail Difficulty: | Because of the elevation gain over a short distance and the number of steps, I would consider this trail hard |
| Trail Type: | Out and back |
| Elevation Gain: | 1000 feet |
| Dog Friendly: | Yes (must be leashed) |
Trailhead
As noted above, the trailhead to Thousand Steps is just east of the parking area. There is a short, protected walkway from the parking area to the trailhead. It is very well signed, indicating the direction to the Thousand Steps, Standing Stone, and Great Eastern Trails.
Getting to the Thousand Steps
The first tenth of a mile is just getting to the bottom of the steps. By the time you reach the bottom, you’ll have already climbed about 100 steps, and they don’t even count!
You’ll know you’ve reached the start of the Thousand Steps when you see the large sign with the trail’s history and donors and a sign indicating the official start of the trail.
Climbing Up the Thousand Steps
The steps portion of the trail is about a half-mile in length. But this is also where you’re completing most of your elevation gain (around 850 feet). A kind person counted and numbered every hundred steps so you would know where you were on your journey.
The trail’s name is somewhat misleading since you still have an additional 37 steps to climb after you reach the 1000th step! But I won’t hold that against them.
Thankfully, it’s not just straight stairs all of the way up. There are some sections of flat trail as it connects you to the next set of stairs.
However, there is a large chunk of just steps (somewhere between step 300 and 700), and it feels never-ending. There is a flat rock you can use as a seat about halfway through that section.
Once you’ve reached the top, you can celebrate your accomplishments! But don’t turn around just yet. There are some fun features along the trail.
The Dinky Shed
At the top, make a left onto the trail and continue to follow the orange blazes (about 2/10 mile) until you reach an old concrete structure.
The Dinky Shed was a maintenance facility for dinky trains built in 1938, but now it’s a great place to get out of the sun or rain (if you need it).
Mapleton Overlook
Follow the trail up a few more steps to continue to the Mapleton Overlook, about a half-mile from the shed.
There is a clearing with an old rail where you can see Mapleton and the Juniata River. It was very cloudy and rainy during our visit, but we could still see the town pretty clearly.
Optional View
After backtracking to the top of the steps, before you head back down, there is a short trail to an overlook of Mount Union (labeled ‘Incline View’ on the signs). It’s about 3/10 mile to the overlook, and you’ll pass by some more quarry ruins. It’s a nice addition to the hike, although we did not opt for it on our trip.
Returning to the Parking Area
This is an out-and-back hike, so you’ll have to climb all 1037 steps back down. It sounds easy, but after the climb up, the legs were feeling a little weary on the way down. So, be mindful of your steps!
Thousand Steps Trail Wrap-Up
It was fun but challenging to complete this bucket list hike in Pennsylvania! We were questioning our decision to do the trail about halfway up. But, ultimately, it is totally worth it.
If you’re thinking about doing the Thousand Steps, I would recommend visiting on a cooler day since it is a workout getting up those steps. It was around 50 degrees and rainy when we did the trail, and we were sweating after the 200th step. I can’t imagine trying to climb up in the middle of summer!
And don’t forget plenty of water! You’ll end up drinking more than you usually do.
Other Trails Near Thousand Steps
If you’d like to lengthen your hike, you can continue along the Standing Stone Trail past the Mapleton Overlook. The trail is over 80 miles long.
The Thousand Steps Trail isn’t too far from Trough Creek State Park, where you can hike to see the Balanced Rock, Rainbow Falls, and the suspension bridge. This is a beautiful state park and worth the visit if you can.
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