5 fall hikes with stunning views within an hour (or so) of the Lehigh Valley

Between local and federal parks and State Game Lands, the Greater Lehigh Valley corner of eastern Pennsylvania offers some stunning vistas that are perfect for a day-trip hike to view fall foliage .

This is a look at what to expect from five choice hikes offering a bird's eye view of the local landscape, arranged from most family friendly to more strenuous. Visitors should be aware that destinations like those profiled here can get crowded, with limited parking, and that fall hikes come with potential dangers associated with the terrain, hunting, and wildlife like ticks and venomous snakes.

But they can also be a lot of fun and a rewarding experience for those up for the challenge.

Before we dive in, we're going back to the days of Albert Einstein, who in a debate over quantum physics asked whether a colleague believed the moon was not there when he wasn't looking at it.

This principle sums up my experience Wednesday afternoon as I sought out, in vain, the view from No. 4 on our list: Mount Minsi in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

Mount Tammany in Warren County, New Jersey, was just across the Delaware River from this scenic spot in southern Monroe County, near the Northampton County line. I knew it. I'd seen Mount Minsi from atop Mount Tammany several times, and the National Park Service map I was clutching was clearly labeled at a bend in the Appalachian Trail: "scenic view."

What I saw was milky clouds beyond the treetops. It was raining, and as a dad I'm obligated to say we needed that rain.

Setting out from the parking lot off Mountain Road — you turn off Route 611 at the Deer Head Inn in Delaware Water Gap Borough — it was barely drizzling as the aggregate stone underfoot gave way to the up-and-down flow of the bouldered Appalachian Trail. For southbound through-hikers crossing over from the Garden State, it's the introduction to what many deride as Rocksylvania , where one eye best be kept on the terrain to avoid a sprained ankle.

A white tail waved up ahead, darting off into the forest that surrounds the trail, as the roar and hum of Interstate 80 in the valley below gave way to the buzz of insects. Numerous spots just off the trail offered a look at the eons-worn convergence of the dual mountaintops Tammany and Minsi, shrouded in clouds but still visible as I edged closer to the Pennsylvania point. Some crashing in the dark beyond closing-in mountain laurels reminded me I'd forgotten to Velcro my bear bell to my daypack, but I had a safety whistle in there that I retrieved to sound off once in a while in hopes of avoiding stumbling upon a black bear out enjoying the solitude of inclement weather on the popular path.

The drizzle waned and I thought I'd luck out, before giving way to pouring rain. But I'd packed a rain jacket and my feet stayed dry thanks to the Gore-Tex in the Danner Trail 2650 boots I've been wearing on hikes since breaking them in in January 2023 up Mount Tammany and to Sunfish Pond and back.

There was no thunder, though, and I pressed on, wondering what through-hikers do in a storm when they don't have a car to scurry to and the nearest shelter is miles and miles of soggy steps away.

Next time, I figured, for catching the view from Mount Minsi, which we'll return to in the following list of vista hikes.

Gollub Park An out-and-back hike of a little more than a mile opens up a view of the Pennsylvania-New Jersey line like a geography book, as the Delaware River forms the states' border below a rocky outcropping in Forks Township's Gollub Park .

Hikers to the geological feature known as St. Anthony's Nose can see for miles into Warren County.

The township park spans about 12 1/4 acres, with parking available off Paxinosa Road East just north of Easton's College Hill. From there, head down the hill into the park to the lookout.

Signage warns visitors where to stop to avoid a dangerous falloff that extends to Route 611 below, Forks Parks and Recreation Director Rachel Suzlbach told lehighvalleylive.com , and park rules prohibit rock climbing.

Dogs must be leashed , and owners must properly dispose of waste.

Tank Hollow Among some 1.5 million acres maintained for hunting by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, State Game Lands 141 in Carbon County features one of the Jim Thorpe area's numerous beautiful vistas.

It's named for Tank Hollow, a stream-worn cut into the Lehigh Gorge mountainside that descends to the river valley below. This hike is a generally easy walk in from the game lands' gate off Behrens Road in Penn Forest Township. The commission opens the gate when hunting is in season, offering up additional parking areas along the access road that passes by the trail to the overlook. A "Seasonal Roads" map at pagame.maps.arcgis.com shows the status of game lands access roads as open, closed or undergoing maintenance.

To get to the point rising about 1,530 feet above sea level, follow the access road known as Cy's Road until it descends a hill and turns left; soon after, the path will appear to the right. Backtrack the way you came for what alltrails.com describes as a 3.3-mile out-and-back trail from that first gate.

Guests are advised to keep track of when hunting is in season and, accordingly, wear blaze orange. From Nov. 15 through Dec. 15, State Game Lands visitors regardless of whether they're hunting are required to wear a combined 250 square inches of fluorescent orange on their head, chest and back, Game Commission Lt. Aaron Morrow told lehighvalleylive.com . That includes Sundays on Nov. 17 and 24 for archery and small game hunting and Dec. 1 for the white-tailed deer firearms season.

"So basically think of like an orange vest and an orange hat," he said.

The game lands are home to black bears and other critters like rattlesnakes. Dogs must be leashed. Find all State Game Lands regulations at pgc.pa.gov .

"What the Game Commission would like to remind people who are just going to be out there hiking, all these lands — although they are for everyone to enjoy — these lands are meant as areas for individuals to access for hunting and trapping," Morrow said, stressing the importance of being respectful of those who are out in pursuit of game on the state property.

Bears Rocks Spelled Baers Rocks on a 1956 U.S. Geological Survey quadrangle map that somehow came into my possession, Bears Rocks (as it's spelled on Google Maps) sports extensive views both north and south of the Blue Mountain's Kittatinny Ridge. On a clear day, I've seen the steam plumes from both the Susquehanna and Limerick nuclear power plants from this point about 1,500 feet above sea level.

Part of State Game Lands 217 , it's located right around the convergence of Lehigh, Carbon and Schuylkill counties. There are two ways in along the Appalachian Trail.

One is to park in the lot for Bake Oven Knob, which offers incredible views of its own on the border between Lehigh's Heidelberg Township and Carbon's East Penn Township, and head southwest by following the white-painted blazes that designate the AT. That route is a predominantly flat hike out-and-back about 1 1/2 miles in each direction, and the trail is generally pleasant with only a few rocks, though they increase as you near the overlook.

The other is to follow the AT northeast about 3 1/2 miles from Route 309 in from Schuylkill's West Penn Township. Not only is this way longer, it also traverses some huge boulders that I once had to carry our late miniature poodle mix over. This more exacting route offers additional vistas, including from the geological feature known as Knife's Edge.

The Bears Rocks feature itself rises from atop the ridge, offering rocks to climb for those feeling surefooted. Those accompanying the more adventurous may stay below along the Appalachian Trail, and maybe snack and read a book. Numerous snake species can be found there from spring through fall, including Northern copperheads.

Mount Minsi Mount Minsi is part of both the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and the Appalachian Trail, while Mount Tammany that rises about a mile away is also part of New Jersey's Worthington State Forest.

To reach Mount Minsi, National Park Service maps as well as Google Maps display a clearly marked loop to get up and back from the parking lot off Delaware Water Gap's Mountain Road, just up from the aforementioned Deer Head Inn, an esteemed jazz hall. You take the white-blazed Appalachian Trail one way and a fire road the other way. It's your choice, though on Wednesday I found taking the AT up offered more adventure while the fire road was a speedy way back down as the rain continued. Both the AT and fire road converge around Lake Lenape just off the parking lot and just shy of what I'm sure is a very scenic view from Mount Minsi 1,463 feet above sea level.

My phone's Apple Fitness claims Wednesday's rainy Mount Minsi trip covered 5.4 miles, with 80 flights climbed and 760 or so calories burned over about two hours. Official National Park Service mileage measurements put the distance between the loop's two convergence points at about 1 1/2 miles each, plus a little more to and from the view spot and the parking lot. The elevation climb is listed as a hearty 1,060 feet. The path appears on page 15 of 20 in the park guide included below for viewing on some internet platforms and also available at nps.gov .

Dogs must be leashed within the national recreation area, and hunting is permitted in season throughout much of the park.

Rim Trail The Rim Trail near Hamburg Municipal Authority's watershed and reservoir land in Berks County takes hikers ready to test themselves along an elevation gain of 1,259 feet and about 8 or 9 miles of trail, depending on the route, to vistas at The Pinnacle and Pulpit Rock, according to this hike's profile at alltrails.com .

Parking is available from Reservoir Road off Old Route 22 between Lenhartsville to the east and Hamburg to the west. Visitors are advised to follow the water authority's posted regulations to protect the municipal drinking source that the trail approaches — like keeping dogs out of the water.

Most of the loop follows the Appalachian Trail, with alternative legs to the west composed of a path along Furnace Creek north of the reservoir and the West Watershed Trail accessible along the southern shore. For a shorter alternative to the full loop, walk the stone Reservoir Road to or from the Pulpit Rock Astronomical Park near the eponymous overlook. (Still another alternative is to tackle the Rim Trail from Hawk Mountain Road near Hawk Mountain Sanctuary outside Berks's Kempton, though that one certainly tacks on additional miles and isn't one I've personally tried.)

A map kiosk at the Reservoir Road parking lot explains the route, and it's a good idea to snap a photo of it before heading out.

Those who follow the full Rim Trail are treated to panoramic views of the region from both Pulpit Rock some 1,582 feet above sea level and The Pinnacle that rises about 1,630 feet. As mentioned with other hikes profiled here, both of these peaks are popular sunning spots for venomous snakes, so be on the lookout!

Hamburg watershed regulations say hunting is only prohibited on the reservoir's spillway, catwalk and dam breast.

What should you bring? As my rainy outing reinforced, visitors to any of these and countless other hikes should monitor the weather and be prepared for changing conditions, plus wear sturdy footwear. A map and compass come in handy, to build confidence you're headed the right way, as do some food for energy and a hydrating beverage. Dogs generally must be leashed.

Other gear to consider on any of these hikes are a bear bell, a flashlight and a cellphone. Where hunting is permitted, remember to wear orange, as hunting seasons extend beyond just the monthlong span in fall when it's required.

Bug spray to ward off ticks and mosquitoes can be essential, as can sunblock.

Another safety tip is to let a family member or friend know where you're headed and when you expect to return.

Brush up on "Safely Navigating Pennsylvania's Trails — How To Read Trail Blazes" from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources at dcnr.pa.gov .

View the photos from this in a gallery, plus a few more, by clicking here .

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