Be In Awe Of The Natural Beauty Found On This Short, Secluded Hike In Pennsylvania’s Blakeslee Natural Area

Nothing compares to breathing in the fresh air, feeling the golden sunshine on our faces, and hearing nature's melody — birds singing, bees buzzing, and creek water gently flowing. We all need solitude, and a hearty dose of nature, every now and then. Lace up your hiking boots, and set off on this picturesque hike in Pennsylvania next time you need a bit of peace and quiet.

At just over two miles, the Highland Loop Trail will take you into the heart of the Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area.

The 130-acre natural area offers a peek at pristine land that has changed little in decades. In fact, the only change to the landscape has been the addition of several paths.

Slip on your comfiest shoes before embarking on the scenic trail that will take you along a wooden footbridge, past Tobyhanna Creek, and into a forested area.

Be forewarned, however, that the trail can get really muddy after rain or snow. It's well worth it to visit in all four seasons, just to see the...

...gushing waterfall when it's frozen, when it's surrounded by fall foliage, and when it's glittering in the golden sunshine of spring and summer.

As you're walking, keep an eye out on the ground below, so you avoid tripping over any roots jutting out of the ground.

The pretty trail, which is rated easy, is both kid-friendly and dog-friendly, so bring the whole family along.

Keep an eye out for local wildlife, too, like deer.

What's your favorite secluded hike in Pennsylvania? Tell us about it in the comments! If you really want to get far away from it all, escape to Hammersley Wild Area, the most remote spot in Pennsylvania.