Hamburg Reservoir Watershed

Hamburg Reservoir & Blue Trail via Appalachian National Scenic Trail

12 mi · ▲ 2,422 ft · 5 hr 13 min

Hamburg Reservoir & Blue Trail via Appalachian National Scenic Trail is a 12-mile out-and-back in Hamburg Reservoir Watershed near Drehersville, PA. The route reaches Hamburg Reservoir. It climbs 2,422 ft, with sections as steep as 16% grade. It scores 70/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi502 – 1,480 ft · steepest grade: 16%12.3 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 40.62883, -76.01141
Nearest town Drehersville, PA

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Hamburg Reservoir & Blue Trail via Appalachian National Scenic Trail

12 mi · ▲ 2,422 ft · 5 hr 13 min

Elevation 503–1,480 ft

Out & Back · Hamburg Reservoir Watershed

Trailhead: 40.62883, -76.01141

Weather Sep 5: sunrise 6:36 AM · sunset 7:32 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading S.
  2. 150 ftSharp left, heading E.
  3. 2.4 miSharp left, heading S.
  4. 0.8 miSharp right onto Appalachian National Scenic Trail, heading NE.
  5. 0.9 miBear right onto Blue Trail, heading SE.
  6. 1.2 miPass Hamburg Reservoir.
  7. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Pulpit Rock Trail / Appalachian Trail, heading SW.
  8. 150 ftContinue straight onto Reservoir Road, heading SW.
  9. 0.4 miReach Hamburg Reservoir, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  10. 0.4 miContinue straight onto Pulpit Rock Trail / Appalachian Trail, heading NW.
  11. 150 ftContinue straight onto Blue Trail, heading NW.
  12. 1.4 miBear left onto Appalachian National Scenic Trail, heading NW.
  13. 0.9 miSharp left, heading NE.
  14. 0.8 miSharp right, heading W.
  15. 2.4 miSharp right, heading NW.
  16. 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

46% rock25% dirt6% gravel23% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:36 AMSunset 7:32 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.1 mi in (~38 min). Leave by 6:34 PM for the 7:32 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:15 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

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