Mount Minsi Loop Trail

Mount Minsi Loop Trail is a 5-mile loop along the Appalachian Trail that starts in the town of Delaware Water Gap and follows the Appalachian Trail 1000 feet up to the top of Mount Minsi for a view of the Delaware River. Mount Minsi is the Pennsylvania side of the mile-wide chasm carved into the mountains that form the gap.

The rocky terrain can make for tricky footwork, but with sturdy hiking boots and some caution, this trail is considered a moderate hike.

This trail can be started at the Lake Lenape parking area off Mountain Road in the sweet little town of Delaware Water Gap. The trail climbs 1-1/2 miles to the top of Mount Minsi, with some good views into the Gap. You’ll see walls of rhododendron and some small waterfalls.

Park in the Mt. Minsi and Lake Lenape parking area. The parking lot is usually full by 9:00 am on Saturdays and Sundays. Avoid crowded trailheads by hiking early, on weekdays, choosing a less popular trail.

The beautiful image above of Mount Minsi is by Bryan Katz. You can see his work here.

Two fantastic places for a stop after your hike are the The Deerhead Inn Jazz Club (where you can also grab a room), and Sango Kura, a sake brewery with authentic Japanese cuisine, both in the town of Delaware Water Gap.

“Beautiful hike with great views. This is a pretty challenging hike with a lot of rocks and steep sections of trail. Might be tough after rain, but perfect on a clear day!”