Forget about the fabled yellow-brick road that Dorothy trod on in “The Wizard of Oz”: When you set foot in Pennsylvania’s magical forest trail, you will be immersed in a spectacle you won’t believe is entirely natural. A quarter mile of bright green path snaking and unfurling through tall trees forms what locals call the Emerald Path. Its official name is “Paved Trail,” but those who witnessed the fairytale effect of moss in this corner of Cook Forest State Park gave it the nickname, and it stuck.
Though the path is open and visible year-round, make sure to visit during the wet season (in spring and summer) if you want to experience the full, vibrant moss-green effect. The magic may capture your senses instantly, but don’t forget to take precautions when walking on it during the wet season, as the moss can be slippery.
Access to the Emerald Path is via the Cook Forest Sawmill Center and is marked under Pennsylvania’s Game Lands 57. A parking lot marks the access point to the trail in Cook Forest. You can easily reach the Sawmill Center from Pittsburgh, about 90 miles away. If you fancy some of your activity to take place in a city setting, you should definitely check out Pittsburgh’s diverse trail through river banks, bridges, and urban areas.
The Emerald Path owes its fairytale effect to moss growing on it
Over 300,000 acres of green spread across 124 state parks make Pennsylvania a perfect playpen for those who love the great outdoors. Some parks are as old as the early 1900s, making them among the first established in the U.S. Local environmental specialists believe the Paved Trail is as old as the 1970s, yet there is no set date for when the “Emerald Path” phenomenon began.
Far from being simply a sign of a healthy, moisturized undergrowth, moss plays a crucial role in the forest ecosystem by retaining key minerals and substances that benefit both the soil and the creatures inhabiting it. Pincushion moss and turf moss are only two of the varieties you are likely to encounter in the wild as much as on your own doorstep. The latter is perennial and allows places like Emerald Path to retain their lush, green colors year-round and to keep surviving on the paved surface.
The beauty of this path lies not only in the fact that it’s a short and sweet loop delivering you back where you started, but also in its accessibility. People with mobility impairments can easily traverse this magic spot using their walking aids or wheelchairs. Not too far from the mossy path, there is also a dedicated Paved Sensory Trail for hikers with any mobility and visual impairments to enjoy a fully immersive experience in the woods. Visitors are encouraged to get close to plants, touch the tree bark, and have a 360 experience surrounded by lush nature. Created by volunteers at Friends of Cook Forest, this fully paved path is the first of its kind state-wide.
Where to witness more natural wonders in Pennsylvania
