Tank Run Falls via Pine Creek Rail Trail

From the rail-trail parking area near Slate Run, Pennsylvania (along PA Route 414 in the Pine Creek Gorge), you’ll follow the Pine Creek Rail Trail on a nearly level, crushed-stone corridor to reach Water Tank Run (often called “Tank Run”) Falls—a classic “rail-trail waterfall” that’s easy to fit into a short out-and-back.

This route is about 7 km (4.3 mi) round trip with essentially flat elevation change (around 0 m / 0 ft of gain) because you’re traveling on a former railroad grade.

Getting to the start (car + public transport)

By car: Aim for the Pine Creek Rail Trail access/parking in the Slate Run / Pine Creek Gorge area off PA-414. Slate Run is a tiny village in the gorge and a common staging point for rail-trail walks and rides. Parking areas along this stretch typically have trail signage and a clear, wide trail surface immediately from the lot. The Pine Creek Rail Trail passes directly through Slate Run. (en.wikipedia.org)

By public transport: Regular public transit is limited in this part of north-central Pennsylvania. The most realistic approach is to arrange a ride (or shuttle) from larger towns outside the gorge. If you’re visiting without a car, plan logistics in advance and expect gaps in cell service once you’re down in the canyon.

What the walk is like (surface, grade, and pacing)

You’ll be on the Pine Creek Rail Trail, a multi-use rail-trail built on an old rail bed—so the tread is generally smooth, wide, and gently graded, ideal for beginners and anyone wanting a low-effort nature walk. The “easy” rating is accurate: the main challenges here are exposure to sun/wind, occasional puddles or washboard gravel, and sharing the corridor with cyclists (and sometimes runners). The trail is well-known as a long-distance corridor through the Pine Creek Gorge region. (en.wikipedia.org)

Plan on a relaxed pace: most hikers will cover 3.5 km (2.2 mi) each way in roughly 45–70 minutes depending on stops.

Key landmarks and the waterfall

0.0–1.5 km (0.0–0.9 mi): Leaving the access area, you’ll quickly settle into the rhythm of the gorge—Pine Creek nearby, forested slopes rising steeply above, and the steady, straight-line feel of a rail corridor. Watch for side drainages and small runs crossing under the trail.

~3.0–3.5 km (1.9–2.2 mi): You’ll reach the signed hollow for Water Tank Run / Water Tank Hollow. The falls are close to the rail trail, and the sound of water often gives it away before you see it. Water Tank Run Falls is frequently highlighted as one of the more impressive waterfall stops directly accessible from the Pine Creek Rail Trail. (uncoveringpa.com)

At the falls: Expect a photogenic cascade that can vary dramatically with recent rain. In wetter periods it’s lively and loud; in dry spells it may thin out. The immediate area can be slick with spray, algae, and wet rock, and the informal footpaths near the base can be muddy.

Nature and wildlife to look for

This is classic Pine Creek Gorge habitat: mixed hardwood forest on the slopes, hemlock pockets in cooler drainages, and a riparian corridor along the creek. Birdlife is a highlight—keep an eye up-canyon for raptors riding thermals along the rim. The Pine Creek Rail Trail is also known for wildlife viewing opportunities along the gorge corridor. (traillink.com)

You may also see: - White-tailed deer near dawn/dusk - Songbirds and woodpeckers in the forest edge - Aquatic insects and trout-stream ecology in the side runs (especially where cold tributaries enter)

Navigation and safety notes (what to watch out for)

• Use HiiKER to confirm which access point you’re starting from and to gauge the exact out-and-back distance to the falls; multiple parking areas in the gorge can change your mileage.
• Cyclist traffic: Stay to one side, keep kids close, and listen for bikes approaching from behind.
• Slippery waterfall zone: The last few steps off the rail trail toward the cascade can be the most hazardous part of the entire outing—wet leaves, mud, and slick stone.
• **Creek and run