Schantz Hill–Elk Viewing Viewpoint, 5 sights is a 5.1-mile out-and-back in Trexler Nature Preserve near Schnecksville, PA. The route passes Elk Viewing Viewpoint and Schantz Hill before reaching View Point at the turnaround, 2.5 miles in. It climbs 1,291 ft, with sections as steep as 22% grade. It scores 26/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
0 mi390 – 742 ft · steepest grade: 22%5.5 mi
Getting there
Trailhead: Elk Viewing Trail 40.65876, -75.62385
Nearest town Schnecksville, PA
Directions
AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com
Schantz Hill–Elk Viewing Viewpoint, 5 sights
5.1 mi · ▲ 1,291 ft · 2 hr 21 min
Elevation 389–741 ft
Out & Back · Trexler Nature Preserve
Trailhead: Elk Viewing Trail · 40.65876, -75.62385
Weather Sep 5: sunrise 6:34 AM · sunset 7:30 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Elk Viewing Trail, heading N.
- 0.7 miPass Elk Viewing Viewpoint.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading SE.
- 0.6 miContinue straight onto Covered Bridge Trail, heading S.
- 100 ftTurn left onto Trexler Nature Trail, heading S.
- 0.4 miTurn right, heading E.
- 50 ftSharp left onto Trexler Border Trail, heading E.
- 0.8 miTurn right, heading N.
- 100 ftPass View Point.
- 250 ftReach Schantz Hill, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.9 miSharp right, heading S.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Trexler Nature Trail, heading S.
- 0.4 miTurn right onto Covered Bridge Trail, heading NW.
- 100 ftContinue straight onto Elk Viewing Trail, heading W.
- 1.2 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
10% gravel1% dirt1% boardwalk88% unspecified
Weather
Sunrise 6:34 AMSunset 7:30 PM
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.6 mi in (~52 min). Leave by 6:19 PM for the 7:30 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:33 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Elk Viewing Trail Trailhead
- Boy Scout Trail & Elk Viewing Trail 2.1 mi · ▲ 492 ft
- Elk Viewing Viewpoint–Elk Viewing Trail, 4 sights 5.7 mi · ▲ 1,229 ft
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Hikes near Schnecksville, Pennsylvania