Parking and Trailhead

Moraine State Park is located about a 45-minute drive north of Pittsburgh, PA. The Sunken Garden Trail was listed as one of the most popular trails at Moraine. However, it wasn’t until the last half mile that I saw any other hikers. The parking lot did have a few other vehicles, but there was plenty of space.

Starting Off

I started my hike at about 10:45 AM. The first leg of the trip followed the road I drove in on. While it was not peaceful by the road, there were plenty of flowers and vegetation along the path. But soon it turned inward and took me through some gorgeous pine forests, power lines, and grassy fields. About 15 minutes into the hike, I went a little off course to see an interesting sight, a remote weather monitoring station.

Maps Help

Most of the trail was well-marked and in good condition. There were several intersections with other paths. Plus, the trail becomes difficult to follow in the pine forests because pine needles cover the ground. But a map or GPS app should keep you on track.

Wide Open Paths

The next section of the hike was well-maintained with trails wide enough to accommodate ATVs. There were a few intersections with other trails, but GPS apps kept me on track with the loop I wanted to do. Soon, the path stayed the same, but the view changed as I got closer to Lake Arthur.

Lakeside Finish

I was enjoying walking near the lake, so when the path branched, I went off the prescribed trail and stuck closer to the water. A few times on this outer path, I detoured down to the shore to get a better view of the lake. Not only did I get the opportunity to take some great photos, but I also got to see and talk with the only other hikers on this trip.

What Went Well

• While I briefly visited the park in the past, this was my first hike. I’m glad I picked the popular Sunken Garden trail, as it had a wonderful mix of scenery with very little elevation gain.

Even Better If

• The bugs got worse the deeper I went into the woods, and were especially bad close to the lake. My insect repellent seemed to only annoy them, so I made most of the hike with my bug net on.