Hiking Trails at Fort Necessity National Battlefield

The hiking trails at Fort Necessity traverse a wide spectrum of natural and historical settings. We ask that you follow some simple procedures to help make your visit safe and enjoyable.

Please:

Stop and pay the entrance fee at the Visitor Center.

The fee is $3.00 per person. Children 16 and under are free.

Some areas of the park are closed to the public.

Please stay on the marked trails.

Watch for trail markers at intersections.

Some of the trails are steep and can be slippery. Please use care.

Leave flowers, plants, salamanders, baby deer, etc. where you find them.

This is a natural and historical area, set aside for all to enjoy. Respect the environment and leave the area the same for others.

Suggested Trails

All trails start from the Visitor Center.

15 minutes:

Walk the paved trail from the Visitor Center to Fort Necessity and return.

30 minutes:

The Loop Trail lead through the Great Meadows turning into the woods just before the second bridge to the fort. The trail follows Indian Run Creek to the Braddock Road Trace. Follow the Braddock Road to the left 200 ft. to the inter-section of the French Camp Trail. This trail cuts back to the Great Meadows making a small loop.

45 minutes:

Continue along the Braddock Road another 650 ft. and the Loop Trail turns to the right. In a short distance the Short Cut loop bears right and returns to the Braddock Road.

90 minutes:

The Main Loop trail continues to the traffic circle at the top of the hill. The Loop Trail cont-inues through open meadows to your right and passes a peaceful spot where you can stop and enjoy the surrounding landscape with Chestnut Ridge to the west. Just beyond this point, the Loop Trail splits to become the Outer Loop and the Inner Loop trails. The Inner Loop leads to the hill above Fort Necessity where you can stop to gaze at the setting before returning to the fort area. The Outer Loop passes through open fields along the park boundary and returns to the fort area.

Alternatives

45 minute meadow hike:

From the fort, follow the outer loop trail to your right. Take a cutoff on your left to the inner loop. Turn left on the Inner Loop and return to the fort

30 minute woodland hike:

From the picnic area parking, cross the bridge behind the nearest pavilion and follow the Picnic Loop.

Longer hikes:

Add the Picnic Loop to your Main Loop hike. From the traffic circle, the Picnic Area Spur goes down over the hill and connects to the Picnic Area Loop.