PA Waterfalls

Exploring Hector Falls in Warren County

A three-photo collage of Hector Falls in the Allegheny National Forest features a hiker standing at the base of the towering monolithic rock formation with water flowing down both sides, a view of a rainbow forming in the mist at the foot of the falls, and an overhead perspective showing the waterfall plunging into a rocky grotto surrounded by dense forest in Warren County, Pennsylvania.

If you’re looking for information about visiting Hector Falls in Warren County, you’re in the right place!

Water streams gracefully down both faces of a tall, rectangular rock formation at Hector Falls, surrounded by forested cliffs and scattered logs in a serene woodland setting within the Allegheny National Forest of Warren County, Pennsylvania.

Hector Falls is unique in PA for its multiple streams of water flowing down opposite faces of a monolithic, rectangular rock formation.

Water cascades gently down both sides of a towering monolithic rock formation surrounded by tall hemlock trees, with scattered logs and moss-covered rocks at the base, deep in the forested landscape of the Allegheny National Forest in Warren County, Pennsylvania.

Located at the end of an easy-to-navigate, mile long trail, Hector Falls makes for a great day trip destination in the Allegheny National Forest.

A hiker in bright orange outdoor gear stands at the base of Hector Falls, gazing up at water streaming down the sheer faces of a massive monolithic rock, surrounded by towering trees and scattered forest debris in the Allegheny National Forest of Warren County, Pennsylvania.

Directions to Hector Falls

Trailhead parking for the hike to Hector Falls can be found along a forest road roughly 3 miles southwest of Ludlow and Route 6.

If navigating by GPS coordinates (which I highly recommend), use 41.69585, -78.98074 to find the parking area, pictured below.

A red pickup truck is parked at a small gravel lot surrounded by tall, leafless trees at the edge of a gated forest road, marking the trailhead parking area for the hike to Hector Falls in the remote Allegheny National Forest of Warren County, Pennsylvania.

As of April 2025, the forestry road leading to the parking area is in good condition – rutted in spots but passable to most passenger cars.

A red vehicle travels down a long, straight forest road lined with bare deciduous trees and patches of evergreens, marking the remote and rustic route through the Allegheny National Forest that leads to the trailhead for Hector Falls in Warren County, Pennsylvania.

You’ll see the gated trailhead immediately adjacent to the parking area.

A gated forest road marks the trailhead to Hector Falls, with a wooden signpost displaying the waterfall’s name and a dense forest of bare trees stretching into the distance in the Allegheny National Forest of Warren County, Pennsylvania.

From here it’s almost exactly a one-mile hike to Hector Falls.

A topographic trail map shows the hiking route to Hector Falls in the Allegheny National Forest, with key landmarks labeled including the parking area, a fork in the road, a pipeline access point, and the location of the waterfall where water flows down opposing sides of a monolithic rock formation in Warren County, Pennsylvania.

The first 0.7 miles of the hike simply follow a pipeline access road.

A wide gravel trail winds gently uphill through a quiet, early-spring forest of bare deciduous trees and scattered evergreens, forming part of the scenic route to Hector Falls in the Allegheny National Forest of Warren County, Pennsylvania.

The only place you could possibly screw-up is at a fork in the road 0.6 miles into the hike (pictured below) – be sure to STAY TO THE LEFT at the fork.

A fork in a leaf-covered forest trail offers two paths through the quiet woodlands of the Allegheny National Forest, where hikers choose their route en route to the secluded and uniquely formed Hector Falls in Warren County, Pennsylvania.

The road portion of the hike dead ends at the pipeline access pictured below.

A blue gas line marker stands beside a muddy access road cutting through a quiet stretch of the Allegheny National Forest, part of the route hikers follow on the way to the remote and distinctive Hector Falls in Warren County, Pennsylvania.

From here, the last 0.3 miles of the hike follows an obvious footpath to the right, through the woods to the falls.

A narrow, rocky footpath winds through a quiet forest of tall trees with early spring foliage, leading visitors toward the secluded and unique Hector Falls in the Allegheny National Forest of Warren County, Pennsylvania.

While the trail is not blazed with paint markings, it is marked with white diamond-shaped arrow markers.

A white diamond-shaped trail marker with a black arrow is nailed to a tree, guiding hikers along a leaf-covered path through a dense, quiet forest on the way to the uniquely shaped Hector Falls in the Allegheny National Forest of Warren County, Pennsylvania.

The trail brings you out at the top of the falls, and from here you make your way counter-clockwise down around the boulders to the base of the falls.

A view from the top of Hector Falls reveals water flowing over the edge of a massive, rectangular rock formation into a rocky gorge below, with towering trees and mossy boulders surrounding the scene in the secluded Allegheny National Forest of Warren County, Pennsylvania.

Photographing Hector Falls

The small stream Hector Falls is located on does not flow very well very often, so visiting after a sizeable rainstorm is your best best to catch water flowing down both faces of the rock rock formation.

A front-facing view of Hector Falls where delicate streams of water flow down both faces of a massive, angular rock formation, surrounded by moss-covered cliffs and towering trees in the heart of the Allegheny National Forest in Warren County, Pennsylvania.

The photos in this article were taken on an April day with partly sunny skies, which yielded some nice rainbows in the mist at the base of the falls.

Sunlight filtering through the trees creates a rainbow at the base of Hector Falls, where water cascades down both faces of a towering, angular rock formation surrounded by forested cliffs and fallen logs in the Allegheny National Forest of Warren County, Pennsylvania.

Using myself for scale in the photo below, I’d feel comfortable putting Hector Falls in the 18-20 foot-tall range.

A hiker in bright outdoor gear stands at the base of Hector Falls, gazing up at the twin streams of water flowing down opposite faces of a towering monolithic rock formation, surrounded by rugged cliffs and tall evergreens in the Allegheny National Forest of Warren County, Pennsylvania.

The little grotto where Hector Falls is located reminded me of a box canyon from some old western movie – one way in, one way out.

A wide view of Hector Falls showcases delicate streams of water flowing down both faces of a towering monolithic rock formation into a rocky, moss-lined grotto surrounded by cliffs and evergreens in the secluded Allegheny National Forest of Warren County, Pennsylvania.

When you’ve had your fill of Hector Falls, simply retrace your steps back to the trailhead parking area.

A top-down view of Hector Falls shows a narrow stream of water spilling over the edge of a tall, flat-faced rock formation into a rocky, debris-strewn pool below, surrounded by moss-covered boulders and a dense forest of evergreens in the Allegheny National Forest of Warren County, Pennsylvania.

Nearby Attractions

Chapman State Park in Warren County offers opportunities for boating, fishing, hiking, camping, and 862 acres of scenic beauty in the foothills of the Allegheny National Forest, close to historic Route 6.

A collage of four photos showcasing Chapman State Park in Warren County, PA. The top-left image features a fisherman by the calm waters of Chapman Lake, surrounded by colorful fall foliage and a view of the dam in the background. The top-right image shows a wooden swinging bridge spanning a peaceful stream, inviting hikers into a forest of autumn-colored trees. The bottom-left image captures a tranquil lakeside beach with a bench facing the scenic view of Chapman Lake, framed by vibrant fall trees and a cloudy sky. The bottom-right image highlights the exposed roots of a large tree along the shoreline of Chapman Lake, with the reflection of the sky and trees mirrored perfectly on the water’s surface. The collage beautifully represents the serenity and natural beauty of the park during the autumn season.

Rimrock Overlook in Warren County offers visitors outstanding views of Kinzua Bay and the Allegheny National Forest which surrounds it.

Looking north over the Allegheny Reservoir from Rimrock Overlook in Warren County.

Jakes Rocks Overlook in Warren County is actually a series of overlooks, also located in the Allegheny National Forest.

The view from Jakes Rocks Overlook on October 6, 2021.

Kinzua Beach in Warren County stretches roughly 450 feet along the banks of the Allegheny Reservoir, providing a serene and scenic spot for a day of relaxation and recreation.

A collage of four photos taken at Kinzua Beach in Warren County, Pennsylvania, depicting various highlights of the area. The top left image shows the sandy beach along the Allegheny Reservoir with a green steel bridge in the background, where beachgoers are relaxing near the water. The top right image features the modern restroom and changing facility surrounded by lush greenery and a well-maintained lawn. The bottom left image captures a peaceful view of the Allegheny Reservoir framed by dense vegetation, with rolling hills in the distance under a partly cloudy sky. The bottom right image displays the entrance sign for Kinzua Beach Recreation Area in the Allegheny National Forest, maintained by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, set against a backdrop of trees and greenery. The collage showcases the natural beauty and amenities of Kinzua Beach.

Bent Run Falls in Warren County is a cascade-style roadside waterfall located in the Allegheny National Forest, just off Route 59.

A collage of two photos taken at Bent Run Falls in Warren County, Pennsylvania, showing on the left the cascading waters of the roadside waterfall flowing over moss-covered rocks in the Allegheny National Forest, and on the right the Bent Run Waterfall Access sign marking the entrance to the short trail leading to the falls.

Tidioute Overlook in Warren County features a pair of easy-to-reach vistas offering views of the Allegheny River and the quaint town of Tidioute.

A collage of four photos taken at Tidioute Overlook in Warren County, Pennsylvania, within the Allegheny National Forest. The top left image features a scenic view of the Allegheny River, surrounded by lush green forested hills. The top right image shows the town of Tidioute nestled in a valley, with houses and farmland surrounded by rolling hills. The bottom left image captures the entrance sign to the Allegheny National Forest's picnic ground and overlook, with a peaceful road leading into the dense forest. The bottom right image provides a close-up of the Allegheny River winding through the verdant landscape, highlighting the natural beauty and tranquility of the area.

Washington Park Overlook in Warren County features breathtaking views of the Allegheny River and the city of Warren, from hundreds of feet above the city.

A collage of four images showcasing different aspects of Washington Park Overlook in Warren County, Pennsylvania. The top left image features a wide view of the city of Warren with the Allegheny River winding through it, surrounded by forested hills. The top right image shows a closer view of the river, highlighting the vibrant autumn colors and buildings along the riverbank. The bottom left image captures the Washington Park entrance sign, set among tall trees with early fall foliage. The bottom right image provides another expansive view of the river, bridges, and industrial structures, framed by the scenic hills in the background. The collage illustrates the park's blend of natural beauty and urban surroundings.

Find even more great spots to explore all across Pennsylvania with the interactive PA Bucket List Travel Map!

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