Hiking provides us with the unique opportunity to connect with nature, but it also promises so much more. After all, we never know what natural wonder or historical artifact we may stumble upon. Fair warning. Today’s hike takes us just under three hours from downtown Pittsburgh. If you’re history buff or love hiking, however, you’ll definitely want to plan a day trip or an overnighter for this unforgettable hike near Pittsburgh that leads straight to an abandoned World War II POW Camp.
Don’t let the drive, at nearly three hours from downtown Pittsburgh, deter you from adding the Camp Michaux Trail, tucked in Pine Grove Furnace State Park, to your outdoor bucket list.
The two-mile trail, which usually takes an hour, leads you straight the remains of Camp Michaux, a World War II POW camp.
If you’re up for a longer hike, set off on the 7.8-mile Sunset Rocks Loop Trail, which includes the former POW camp.
From 1943 to 1945, Camp Michaux secretly housed German and Japanese prisoners of war (POW). The Germans and the Japanese, however, were kept separate.
Prisoners of war were interrogated at the 120-acre camp in an attempt to secure information about the Axis’ war plans. Once the interrogations were complete, the prisoners were transferred to other locations throughout the United States.
Today, all that remains are the remnants of some buildings and markers that provide insight into the historical significance of the area.
The POW camp once consisted of four guard towers, a hospital, and barracks. Only one of the guard's towers still stands.
The camp closed as quietly, as it had opened and operated, at the end of World War II. While the land is owned by the state, the trail is overseen by The Cumberland County Historical Society.
For a self-guided walking tour, click here
Click here for the official website of Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Or, go here for Facebook.
Have you been on this hike near Pittsburgh? Share your experience in the comments! Up for a hike closer to home? Click here to learn more about six hikes in Pittsburgh that are under five miles.
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