Baughman Trail

Ohiopyle State Park, Pennsylvania

     The Baughman Trail, a relentless ascent from the Youghiogheny River to a spectacular viewpoint at its halfway point, provides the hiker with a glimpse into the rugged beauty of the woodlands and gorges that make the Laurel Highlands/Ohiopyle State Park an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise.

     Dual trailheads, one at the back of the Middle Yough Takeout Parking Area and the other at the Sugarloaf Snowmobile and Mountain Bike Area, are separated by 3.4 miles of strenuous, uphill rocky terrain—the spectacular Baughman Rock Overlook is located at approximately the halfway mark on the trail, relatively equidistant from each trailhead. The Overlook’s location and status as the trail’s highlight make it a perfect out and back destination from either trailhead—leaving from the Middle Yough Takeout, we planned our route accordingly.

     From the trailhead at Middle Yough, the climb begins in earnest—ascending the steep slope in a straightforward manner without the help of switchbacks. The views from the trail, which passes through the heart of the park, become increasingly panoramic the higher you climb—culminating in the jaw-dropping vista of the Youghiogheny River Gorge from Baughman Rock.

     Baughman Rock, the trail’s scenic overlook highlight, is particularly breathtaking in the fall when the leaves set the gorge ablaze with hues of yellow, red, and orange—note, it is also possible to drive to Baughman Rock so it could be busy despite solitude on the trail. From the overlook, you can head back the way you came or continue hiking to the end of the trail—hikers that complete the one-way route can then make a loop hike using Sugarloaf Road, or arrange a shuttle if you have more than one car in your hiking party.