Where is the Mount Minsi trailhead?

The Mount Minsi trailhead is on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware Water Gap, near the town of Delaware Water Gap. You’ll park along Lake Road in one of two small lots and start at the big gate across from the first lot.

Is Mount Minsi part of the Appalachian Trail?

Yes. The main route up Mount Minsi follows the Appalachian Trail for about 2 miles before connecting to the fire road for the descent. You’ll see white blazes marking the AT the whole way up.

How long is the Mount Minsi hike?

The Mount Minsi loop is about 5 miles. You’ll hike up on the Appalachian Trail and come back down on the Mount Minsi fire road (also called Lake Road on some maps).

How hard is the Mount Minsi hike?

Mount Minsi has a steady 1,000-foot climb over just under 2 miles. It’s not technical, but the trail is rocky and can feel steep in sections, especially if you’re not used to hiking.

Is Mount Minsi open year-round?

Yes, you can hike Mount Minsi year-round. Winter conditions can make the trail icy or slushy, so bring microspikes if there’s snow or ice. In good snow conditions, the trail can actually be easier because the snow fills in the rocks.

Is there parking at Mount Minsi?

Yes. There are two small parking lots along Lake Road. If those are full, you can park in a marked spot on Main Street and walk about 10 minutes to the trailhead. There is no parking allowed on Mountain Road.

Are there bathrooms at the Mount Minsi trailhead?

No, there are no bathrooms at the trailhead. Plan ahead and go before you get there.

What gear do I need for Mount Minsi?

Trail runners or grippy sneakers are ideal—full hiking boots are overkill for this hike. Bring at least 1 liter of water, insect repellent, and optionally trekking poles. In winter, bring microspikes.

Why is it called Mount Minsi?

Mount Minsi is named after the Munsee (or Minsi), one of the bands of the Lenni Lenape people who originally lived in this region.

Is there a view from the top of Mount Minsi?

Yes. There are multiple viewpoints along the way up, and a final vista point past the summit ruins. You’ll get sweeping views of the Delaware River, Mount Tammany, and the Water Gap.

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Mount Minsi Trail Guide

By Cris Hazzard, Professional Hiking Guide
Updated July 25, 2025

Hike Stats

Total Distance: 4.8 miles
Time: 2-3 Hours
Total Climbing: 1080 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Crowds: Crowded
Dogs: Leashed
Gear: What I Use
Weather: Latest Report
Park: Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

The Mount Minsi Trail is a classic Delaware Water Gap hike with multiple jaw-dropping views of the river, a stretch on the iconic Appalachian Trail, and even the remains of an old fire tower. In this guide, I’ll show you how to hike Mount Minsi the easy way; you just bring the leg power.

Why is it called “Minsi”? The name comes from an alternate spelling of “Munsee,” one of the bands of the Lenni Lenape people who originally lived in this region.

Where is Mount Minsi?

Mount Minsi Hike Location — Mount Minsi sits on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware Water Gap.

Trailhead Address:

Mount Minsi Trailhead, Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Bangor, PA 18013

Fees:

Free!

Mt Minsi Hike Parking — Some maps don't show the correct road and parking, but this one does. You'll drive down Lake Road to the first lot, continue on the one-way road to the smaller lot, then exit out to Mountain Road.

Mt Minsi Hike Parking Lot 1 — This is the first parking lot.

Mt Minsi Hike Parking Lot 2 — And here is the smaller second parking lot.

There are no bathrooms at the trailhead. Go before you get here.

Mt Minsi Hike Alternate Parking Lot — If the parking lots are full, park in a marked spot on nearby Main Street and then walk 10 minutes to the trailhead. There is no parking on Mountain Road.

Best Time to Do the Hike

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Winter

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Winter

Generally, you can hike Mount Minsi year-round, with the most popular times being summer and fall when the leaves change color. In winter, this normally straightforward hike can become much more challenging. If you don’t have winter hiking experience, it’s better to save this one for when you do. In good winter conditions, a few inches of snow can actually fill in the gaps between the rocks and make the hike easier. But when that snow melts into ice and slush, it can turn into a slow, frustrating slog that requires constant attention.

Gear Recommendations

Mt Minsi Hike Navigation App — The majority of the hike has cellular service and the trails appear on Google and Apple maps, so if you get lost, take a look at the map on your phone.

You're best served by trail runners or sneakers with a good grip. The trail is rocky in spots but full hiking boots are overkill. Just look at the Appalachian Trail hikers, 99% of which are in trail runners.
Ticks and bugs are a thing here. Wear insect repellent.
Bring at least 1L of water. If you want to drink or refill from Eureka Creek or other water sources, the water needs to be filtered.
Some people have an easier time hiking up the steep slopes with trekking poles, but they're not mandatory.
If you're doing this in the winter, the rocky trail can also be icy. Bring micro-spikes and trekking poles if that's the case.

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Mount Minsi Trail Maps

Mt Minsi Hike Trail Marker — A single white blaze is the marker for the Appalachian Trail (AT). When you see two together like this, it means the trail turns in the direction of the blazes.

If you search trail guides you'll see a few different ways to hike Minsi. I recommend the route described in this guide.

We'll go up on the iconic Appalachian Trail. The trail is beautiful and there are viewpoints on the way up.
We'll come back down on the Mt Minsi fire road. The descent is a bit longer but is gradual, easier on the knees, and peaceful.

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Elevation Profile

Mt Minsi Hike 3d Map — We'll do the hike in a clockwise loop, climbing the AT and descending on the fire road.

After a flat start, we'll climb about 1000 feet in just under 2 miles. Tough but not killer.

Mount Minsi Hike Directions

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 2 — The trailhead is at the big gate across from the first parking lot.

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 4 — It's a big wide trail, you won't have issues following it.

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 3 — After a couple of minutes you'll arrive at Lake Lenape on your right.

Mount Minsi Lake Lenape — It's thought that Lake Lenape is manmade, a dam of Caledonia Creek, created over 100 years ago for recreation when this area was booming as a resort town. It was photographed as an attraction as far back as 1890 (left) and attracted celebs like a teenage Fred Astaire and his sister (right).

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 5 — You'll see lots of small trails leading off the main (AT) trail. Stay on the main wide trail.

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 6 — At around 0.4 miles make the left to continue on the AT.

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 7 — Now the trail is narrower and more picturesque than before, including these tree tunnels of rhododendrons. Follow the white blazes of the AT.

Did you know that rhododendrons are toxic? In humans eating them will get you anything from mild gas to severe nervous system issues.

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 8 — As you climb you'll get a few viewpoints of the Delaware Water Gap and Mount Tammany.

In the 1960s the plan was to dam the Delaware River just north of here.The Tocks Island Dam would have flooded the river valley, creating a lake 140 feet deep in places that would help control an overflowing river and provide water to New York and Philadelphia. The project was met with protest and eventually scrapped. The land acquired by the federal government became the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 1 — At around 1 mile in you'll cross Eureka Creek.

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 9 — Continue uphill following the white blazes of the AT.

28 out of the 2174 miles of the Appalachian Trail go through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. If you see backpackers going through, they might be on their journey between Georgia and Maine.

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 11 — As you approach the summit, at around 1.7 miles, there's this crossover section. Come out from the AT, cross the road, and then back on the AT.

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 10 — When you come out of the AT on the last map, there's a little dog leg to get back on the AT.

This section is a little tricky, but both routes will get you in the right place.

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 12 — At about 2.1 miles you'll see the old ruins at Mt Minsi. Continue past them.

Around 100 years ago they built a steel tower here. It was used as a fire watch tower, radio tower, and airway beacon (a primitive series of lighted beacons used by airplanes before radar and radio). Today this is all that's left.

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 13 — Just past the ruins, look for a turnoff to the left for the vista point.

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 14 — Enjoy the view from the vista point. Then head back to the AT / road intersection.

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 15 — Okay, when you get back to this point, instead of going down the AT, go straight down Lake Road.

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 16 — So here's a picture of that intersection. You came up on that AT (to the right), go straight instead.

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 17 — Now you just have a long gradual descent on Lake Road.

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 18 — You'll see several trails going off to the right or left. Stay on the wide Lake Road trail.

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 19 — Just after 4 miles, there's a split. Hike to the right on the main Lake Road. You'll continue on and pass the AT junction we turned on earlier.

Mt Minsi Hike Directions 20 — And then you'll arrive at the gate where you started. That's the hike!

Originally published July 23, 2025