There are 11 miles of hiking trails in McConnells Mill State Park. They range from easy to moderate to difficult. Wear sturdy shoes, stay on the trail, and carry plenty of drinking water. Spring water in the park is not guaranteed safe to drink. Carry a first-aid kit, poncho and whistle. Make sure bad weather isn’t moving in. Go early in the day so you don’t find yourself stranded in the woods after dark. Then choose a trail, depending on what shape you’re in:

Hell’s Hollow: .5 mile, easy hiking. It begins at the Hells Hollow parking lot in the northwestern part of the park and crosses Hell Run twice on its way to a lime kiln and Hell’s Hollow Falls. The main trail is smooth and level, but the section by the waterfall can be slippery.

Alpha Pass: 1.5 miles, moderate hiking. It’s at the northern end of the park, and it’s part of the North Country National Scenic Trail. It begins at the Alpha Pass scenic vista and follows the east bank of the Slippery Rock Creek. There’s an exit to the Point Parking Area, or follow the trail along the creek to the old mill.

Kildoo: 2 mile loop, moderate hiking. It’s south of the old mill, beginning at either end of the covered bridge. It’s a walk along the Slippery Rock Creek. The first 200 yards of the trail on the east bank of the creek are paved. It continues on rocky terrain to Eckert Bridge, where hikers cross the river and hike up the west side of the creek to the covered bridge. The western section of the trail is part of the North Country National Scenic Trail.

Slippery Rock Gorge: 6.2 miles, moderate to difficult hiking. Also part of the North Country National Scenic Trail, this pass begins jointly with Hell’s Hollow Trail at the Hell’s Hollow parking lot. The gorge trail splits off just before the second footbridge. The first two miles follow the upper Hell Run Valley. The rest of the trail follows the gorge north for just over four miles to Eckert Bridge. At 3.5 miles, the trail descends into the deepest part of the gorge and a broad alluvial flood plain. It is known as Walnut Flats. The trail then becomes more difficult, leading through very steep terrain. At the five-mile point, it crosses uplands, then steeply drops back down to creek level and follows the creek bank to Eckert Bridge. Hikers should allow a minimum of 4.5 hours to hike the whole trail.