Weekend Getaway
Weekend Getaway. These are two of my favorite words. These magical words hold endless possibilities of fun, adventure and relaxation.
For the past 3 years, my dear friend and I have organized weekend getaways ever fall. Last year we headed to New Orleans and saw U2 in concert (okay, maybe we also met Adam Clayton after the show, but that’s for a different blog post). This year we decided to head to the Pocono Mountains, which are only a 2 hour drive from my own backyard. The highlight of our time in the Poconos was definitely our hike at Bushkill Falls.
Bushkill Falls
Bushkill Falls is located in the uplands of the Pocono Mountains, about 1200 feet above sea level, in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The drop of the main falls, from the top of the falls to the bottom of the lower gorge, is approximately 300 feet.
On the day of our hike, the spray from the main falls plus the cold weather left us hiking the first half of our hike on ice! It was a little challenging to stand firmly on parts of the slippery trail but it was also fun and gorgeous to see the falls sparkle with icicles.
“The Niagara of Pennsylvania, Bushkill Falls is among the Keystone State’s most famous scenic attractions. This unique series of eight waterfalls, nestled deep in the wooded Pocono Mountains, is accessible through an excellent network of hiking trails and bridges which afford fabulous views of the falls and the surrounding forest.”
To me, Bushkill Falls feels like a magical fairyland adventure. It’s purely lush, flowing, and magical!
There are many trails here to meet everyone’s needs. You can take a short 15 minute walk on the green trail to view the main falls from an observation deck or explore three other trails (that all loop back to the observation deck). These longer trails take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours to hike. On the red trail, which is the longest trail, you’ll be able to see eight different waterfalls.
One of my favorite things about hiking here is the range of terrain and views. One minute you are in the lower gorge with ferns, moss, and rushing waterfalls and the next moment you are walking on a natural rocky open trail, along the Pond Run Stream, leading you into the surrounding forest filled with scenic views.
Here’s a list of everything you can do at Bushkill Falls…
Bushkill Falls is on my top ten must visit destinations in the Pocono Mountains.
Go to VisitBushkillfalls.com for more information and hours of operation (operating hours at Bushkill Falls vary depending on season, day of week, and weather).
