• About
  • Get Here
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Community & Business
  • Stewardship
PA Wilds Logo
  • Explore
    Landscapes

    Landscapes

    Landscapes are thematic regions of the Pennsylvania Wilds, each with their own character and unique, place-specific experiences.

    Learn more

    Elk Country

    Allegheny National Forest and Surrounds

    Cook Forest and the Ancients

    I-80 Frontier

    Dark Skies

    Pine Creek Valley and The PA Grand Canyon

  • Take a
    Journey

    Journeys

    Our Journeys are the many roads & byways & trails & waterways that connect our landscapes and inspire your exploration.

    Learn more

    Scenic Route 6

    National Wild and Scenic Rivers

    Kinzua Experience

    North Country National Scenic Trail

    Bucktail Scenic Byway

    Elk Scenic Drive

    West Branch Susquehanna

    Pine Creek Rail Trail

  • Find
    Activities
  • Attend an
    Event
  • Made in the
    PA Wilds
PA Wilds Logo

☰

  • Explore Landscapes

    • Elk Country
    • Allegheny National Forest and Surrounds
    • Cook Forest and the Ancients
    • I-80 Frontier
    • Dark Skies
    • Pine Creek Valley and The PA Grand Canyon
  • Take a Journey

    • Scenic Route 6
    • National Wild and Scenic Rivers
    • Kinzua Experience
    • North Country National Scenic Trail
    • Bucktail Scenic Byway
    • Elk Scenic Drive
    • West Branch Susquehanna
    • Pine Creek Rail Trail
  • Find Activities
  • Attend an Event
  • Made in the PA Wilds
  • About
  • Get Here
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Community & Business
  • Stewardship

Due to the risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, please use appropriate precautions when traveling in the PA Wilds and refer to the PA Department of Health for updates.

Traversing Fred Woods Trail in Elk Country

  • by Guest Contributor
  • May 2, 2019
  • Share:
Head Back

Photos submitted by Samantha Cunningham

Fred Woods Trail by Samantha Cunningham

Fred Woods Trail is a scenic 3-mile loop on top of the hills in Driftwood, PA, a small community that sits on the edge of the Elk Country and Dark Skies landscapes in the Pennsylvania Wilds. Traveling to the remote borough takes visitors along the Elk Scenic Drive or the Bucktail Scenic Byway.

There are many unique and interesting sights to see along the trail, too. At the start of the trail you can see remains of old rock fences they used back in the day for farms and pastures.

You then come to an intersection where you can go to the left or right, since its a loop you’ll end up back at the same spot so you won’t miss anything. If you take a right you’ll walk about 1 mile or so in and come to a rock trail. At this particular spot you are able to walk in between big boulder rocks, which you’ll see engravings on the rocks dating back to the early 1900s.  They don’t want you adding to the engravings now but it’s very neat piece of history.

Further down the trail you’ll come upon two different vistas which give you a scenic view out into the hills.

The trail is a total of 4.77 miles from start to finish and the terrain in some spots is very rocky, so plan accordingly.  The best time of year to complete this trail would be in spring or fall for the area is known for rattlesnakes in the summertime.  Also nearby is an overlook known as “Top of the World” which you can see out for miles and miles.

About the Photographer: Samantha Cunningham was born and raised in the Elk Country city of St. Marys, PA.  She recently discovered her passion for photography and loves taking pictures of the outdoors.  She especially enjoys capturing a moment in time because everyone sees things differently. She can often be found hiking around the Elk, Cameron and McKean counties of the Pennsylvania Wilds with her husband and mini Aussie, Sadie. Find more of Samantha’s images on Instagram @cunning.photo.

Related Articles

Traversing Fred Woods Trail in Elk Country


Read More

The Spring Return: Hiking the North Country Trail


Read More

Hiking the West Creek Recreational Trail


Read More

More From Our Blog

Author: Guest Contributor
The Pennsylvania Wilds is home to more than 2 million acres of public land, 50 state game lands, 29 state parks, 8 state forests, 2 National Wild & Scenic Rivers, abundant wildlife, hundreds of miles of land and water trails, some of the darkest skies in the country, and the largest elk herd in the northeast. The PA Wilds team is grateful to share the many stories of this region through the words and images of our talented guest contributors.

Back to the blog

Comments:

2 thoughts on “Traversing Fred Woods Trail in Elk Country”

  1. Stephen Stoltzfus says:
    May 2, 2019 at 9:07 pm

    Is the trail open to horseback riding? Thanks

  2. Samantha Cunningham says:
    May 7, 2019 at 2:53 pm

    Hi Stephen,
    Unfortunately this trail is not open to horseback; it can be very rocky and narrow in some spots. There are however trails nearby you could ride them.

Comments are closed.

Explore Landscapes & Journeys

  • Elk Country
  • Allegheny National Forest and Surrounds
  • Cook Forest and the Ancients
  • I-80 Frontier
  • Dark Skies
  • Pine Creek Valley and The PA Grand Canyon
  • Scenic Route 6
  • National Wild and Scenic Rivers
  • Kinzua Experience
  • North Country National Scenic Trail
  • Bucktail Scenic Byway
  • Elk Scenic Drive
  • West Branch Susquehanna
  • Pine Creek Rail Trail

Connect & Learn

  • Contact
  • Careers
  • Our mission
  • Submit your stories
  • Privacy Policy
Newsletter Sign Up
Facebook

facebook

Instagram

Instagram

YouTube

youtube

Twitter

twitter

Copyright 2022 The Pennsylvania Wilds

Site by Pixel & Hammer