Hot Air Balloon
Difficulty: 
Moderate
Distance: 0.95 miles
Restrooms: Yes
Dog Friendly: Yes
Stroller Friendly: Yes
Playground: No
Wheelchair Friendly: Yes
Location: Highpoint Scenic Vista – Parking Area along Hilt Road
Your Keys to Adventure
- Begin at the bulletin board by the bathroom at the corner of the parking area. Look for the gap in the fence to your right. Go through the gap and then turn left immediately to begin following the path that looks like asphalt.
- Follow the trail as it passes a canopy table and some trees before it starts heading up the hill. Continue on the path.
- As you climb, look for birds enjoying the trees or grasses around you. Deer also frequent the field around sunrise and sunset.
- Up ahead, you’ll come to some large rocks on the left side of the trail and a post that says waystop 2. There will be a trail cut in the grass on your left, but you will continue straight on the path.
- Next, you will come to some rocks on your right and a post that says waystop 3. Continue straight.
- As you continue to climb, look to your left and you may be able to see the Susquehanna River and the towns of Wrightsville and Columbia. An even better view is still to come!
- Continue following the well-established path as it passes some intersections with mowed trails. You will stay on the path.
- Eventually, you will have a view of the river to the south. Continue following the path as it wraps around.
- Near the top, you will come to a sign for the Mason Dixon Trail with mileage for Whiskey Springs and Chadds Ford.
- Look for the post at this sign. Once you complete your rubbing, continue up the trail only about 50 yards for a 360° view of the river and surrounding areas!
- When you’re ready, return to the parking area the same way you came.
Read More About It
- Hot Air by Marjorie Priceman
- Isabella and Trent's Hot Air Balloon Adventure by Jeri Jones & Dennis Low
- Airborn by Kenneth Oppel
Some Breadcrumbs for the Trail!
- Hot air balloons were the first technology to allow humans to fly.
- The fastest a manned hot air balloon has travelled was in excess of 245 mph.
- The record for most hot air balloons launched at the same time was in France, where 433 launched within a 20-minute period.
Your Rubbing Artwork
