HomePennsylvaniaDingmans Ferry › Hornbecks Trail

Hornbecks Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 130 Google reviews · Running trail in Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Crushed gravel
Distance
2 mi
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Hornbecks Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Crushed gravel2 miOpen 24hScenicStroller / ADAFlat & fastTrailhead parking

What runners say about Hornbecks Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (130 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“It's not very scenic on the way but the lake?”

🪧 well-marked 3 mentions

“Trail is well marked on September 28th water flow is very minimal at the ladder but still worth the hike”

👟 good for all levels 4 mentions

“Short easy hike to the first fall where there is a nice cascade into a pool (and a rope swing!”

This is something of a hidden gem in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. In most parks, Hornbeck's Trail would be a highlight in its own right. However, in the superabundance of sights found within the Rec Area, it's easy for an excellent hike like this one to go without the fanfare or notice of some of…

★★★★☆ — Jason , Apr 2021

Easy to moderate trail. Good amount of parking. Lower and upper falls are connected even though the maps say otherwise.

★★★★★ — Brett , Jun 2022

The trailhead is about a mile or so north of what google maps indicates. Parking for about 6-7 cars. About 1.2 miles each way. Awesome wooden log bridges on the way. Kids enjoyed walking down to the stream. Amazing vistas. Can’t wait to see this in the fall. Definitely a hidden gem in this area.

★★★★★ — Kaushal , Aug 2021

This is a well groomed mostly flat trail that leads to Lower Indian Ladder Falls. Its a very pretty waterfall. The hike in is about a mile. You cross 3 small foot bridges along your walk through the woods. The walk is shaded so was great on a hot day. It can easily be done in sneakers vs hiking boots.

★★★★★ — Ingrid , Jul 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 130 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 22 mentions

“Awesome trail, about a mile to the waterfall and a mile back, it's pretty shaded along the way, cool bridges and a few steps.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 14 mentions

“When you make the turn onto the narrow single lane, gravel road you go about a quarter mile and will reach the parking lot which accomodates approx 10 cars.”

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🪨 Crushed gravel / limestone 2 mentions

“When you make the turn onto the narrow single lane, gravel road you go about a quarter mile and will reach the parking lot which accomodates approx 10 cars.”

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Flat & fast 2 mentions

“This is a well groomed mostly flat trail that leads to Lower Indian Ladder Falls.”

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Stroller / ADA accessible 2 mentions

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Plan your run at Hornbecks Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • SurfaceCrushed gravel — the rail-trail classic: softer than asphalt, still smooth enough for tempo work
  • Distance2 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Hornbecks Trail

Hornbecks Creek, 18328, Dingmans Ferry, PA 18328

Get directions

Running trails near Dingmans Ferry

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Upper Hornbecks Creek Trailhead

4.8 ★★★★★ 11 reviews

Dingmans Ferry, PA

Scenic

1.3 miles away

Dingmans Falls

4.8 ★★★★★ 144 reviews

Dingmans Ferry, PA

0.5 miBoardwalkScenic

2.9 miles away

George W. Childs Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 449 reviews

DINGMANS FRY, PA

1.4 miMixedScenic

3.8 miles away

4.5 miles away

Akenac Park

4.7 ★★★★★ 245 reviews

Dingmans Ferry, PA

Scenic

5.7 miles away

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

4.7 ★★★★★ 6,795 reviews

Bushkill, PA

BoardwalkScenic

Vast forested preserve featuring hiking trails, campsites & water sports on the Delaware River.

6.5 miles away

All running trails in Dingmans Ferry, PA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.