If you’re looking for directions to Pole Steeple Overlook in the Michaux State Forest, you’re in the right place!
Pole Steeple Overlook is located in the Cumberland County portion of the state forest, adjacent to Pine Grove Furnace State Park.
Accessible by a relatively short-but-steep trail, Pole Steeple Overlook is certainly a worthwhile hiking destination at the northern tip of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Directions to the Pole Steeple Trail
The Pole Steeple parking area and trailhead are located along Old Railroad Bed Road at Pine Grove Furnace State Park.
If navigating by GPS coordinates, use 40.03830, -77.27010 to located the large gravel parking area.
The parking area backs to Laurel Lake at Pine Grove Furnace State Park, a beautiful sight in its own right.
The Pole Steeple Trailhead is located on the opposite side of Railroad Bed Road from the parking area and Laurel Lake.
A small sign denotes the trailhead at the base of Piney Mountain.
Hiking the Pole Steeple Trail
The hike to Pole Steeple Overlook covers roughly 0.75 miles and features 500 feet of elevation change.
The trail is entirely within the Michaux State Forest, is marked with blue blazes, and is relatively steep but easy to follow.
Loose rocks and tree roots are fairly common along the trail, so watch your steps and not your phone as you make the trip up and down the mountain!
Roughly half-way up the mountain you’ll encounter a shortcut option – I checked it out on my way back down the mountain and found it really didn’t save me much time and was definitely rockier than the normal trail.
No matter which option you take, it brings you out at the same place, a few tenths of a mile below the overlook and near this connector trail that leads to the Appalachian Trail.
Continuing in the direction of Pole Steeple (and NOT the Appalachian Trail), the trail passes through what looks like a jumble of boulders on top of the mountain – the overlook is just beyond this.
Enjoying the Views from Pole Steeple Overlook
Pole Steeple Overlook is comprised of a pair of quartzite rock outcroppings on top of Piney Mountain, roughly 500 feet above Laurel Lake and sitting at an altitude of 1,336 ft. above sea level.
Standing on the southernmost of the two rocky outcroppings, you can see the northernmost outcropping roughly 20 yards away.
And vice-versa.
Looking to the west from the northernmost outcropping, you can see the entirety of Pine Grove Furnace State Park below you, with the Michaux State Forest stretching beyond that.
Zooming in with your camera or binoculars, you have a great view of Laurel Lake.
To the southwest, you’re looking in the general direction of Chambersburg.
I was fortunate on the day I visited to take these photos to be treated to a magnificent cloud deck as well.
Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a beginner looking for a challenge, the hike to Pole Steeple Overlook in the Michaux State Forest is well worth the effort!
Nearby Attractions
The Cameron-Masland Mansion, a historic stone villa perched on a Cumberland County mountaintop, offers a scenic overlook that captures the essence of Pennsylvania’s picturesque outdoors.
Exploring an Abandoned POW Camp in Cumberland County is your guide to a formerly-secret POW camp, used to house German and Japanese POWs during World War Two.
Today you can explore these ruins in the Michaux State Forest.
The Appalachian Trail Museum in Cumberland County stands as a testament to the rich history, culture, and stories of the famed Appalachian Trail (AT).
10 Must-See Attractions in Gettysburg is a great resource for things to do in this historic town just 17 miles south of Pole Steeple Overlook.
The Historic Round Barn in Biglerville is one of the most interesting and beautiful barns in Pennsylvania!
10 Must-See Attractions in Franklin County is your guide to the best things to see and do in this region west of Cumberland County and Pole Steeple.
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