Walk a two-mile loop around the outside edge of the Ferncliff Peninsula Natural Area, the original 100-acre piece of land that became the seed for Ohiopyle State Park, now the largest state park in Pennsylvania with over 19,000 forested acres. Recognized for its unique habitat and botanical variety for nearly a century, the area was declared a National Natural Landmark in 1973 by the US Department of the Interior.

From Ohiopyle, head west on the bike trail and turn left at the sign for the TAKE-OUT, down to the river and then left on the Ferncliff Trail. As you continue through the lush forest of pine, hemlock, and oak, you will hear, but rarely see, the Youghigheny River pouring through several sets of rapids. Huge, mossy green boulders form cliff faces towards the river, and along the trail you will find at least two well-worn paths down to riverside, including a great view of the big falls in Ohiopyle.

Towards your completion of this loop trail, you will emerge from the forest out onto some large flat rocks along the river just above the falls. Continue upstream to the red iron bridge that will take you back into Ohiopyle.

Above Right- A great place to stop and hang out by the water, where you can park yourself on a boulder to watch the kayakers and rafters that paddle their way through here. This is also the TAKE-OUT area for kayakers who travel around the Ferncliff Peninsula. After passing through a series of seven rapids, they take out their boats here, and carry them back to the parking lot in Ohiopyle.