--- title: "Pennsylvania Ridges EV Trip Pack — EV Backroads" description: "Use eight routes in central Pennsylvania. Start on state-forest roads. Add ruts, wet ground, and a managed off-road park only after the early stages feel controlled." canonical_url: "https://www.evbackroads.com/adventures/pennsylvania-ridge-road-progression" last_updated: "2026-08-09" --- ![Duncan Trail in Pennsylvania](/media/adventures/regions/heroes/duncan-trail.webp) ![Pennsylvania Ridges route collection](/media/map/adventure-regions/pennsylvania.svg) ADVENTURE ROUTE COLLECTION · PENNSYLVANIA # Pennsylvania: Ridge Road Progression Use eight routes in central Pennsylvania. Start on state-forest roads. Add ruts, wet ground, and a managed off-road park only after the early stages feel controlled. QUICK READ Route stages 8 Plan length 3–5 days High point 2,097 ft Typical season Check each route Base area 41.0328, -77.1436 Save trip pack offline Print trip plan Mark plan ready PENNSYLVANIA COLLECTION 8 stages, in order - [01 Old Tea Spring Road easy](#stage-1) - [02 Duncan Trail easy](#stage-2) - [03 Red Tongue Trail easy](#stage-3) - [04 Little Poe Road easy](#stage-4) - [05 High Top Trail moderate](#stage-5) - [06 Strong Mountain Road moderate](#stage-6) - [07 Sharpback Hollow difficult](#stage-7) - [08 Fern Ridge - Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area difficult](#stage-8) WHY IT FITS ## Why this progression can fit your trip. The forest stages are close enough for one base area. The final stage adds a managed technical setting with its own rules and fees. WHAT CAN CHANGE THE ANSWER Rain, snow, gates, permits, and park schedules can change this plan. Verify public-road access and private-park entry separately. ROUTE PROGRESSION ## Add one skill at a time. Drive only the stages that fit your vehicle, experience, weather, and current access. A later stage is not a required finish. 01 easy ### Old Tea Spring Road Route distance 0.8 mi Allow 1–2 hours Start on a short forest road. Confirm the route, tire pressure, and return before you add rougher ground. SKILL ADDED Build a low-consequence forest baseline. Access note: Source snapshot: Open. Check the live source before travel. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=41.04798&lng=-77.13691&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/pennsylvania/trails/8611-old-tea-spring-road) ![Topographic route map for Old Tea Spring Road](/media/adventures/regions/maps/old-tea-spring-road.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE ### Old Tea Spring Road, from start to finish Climb +161 ft Descent −64 ft Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal. 02 easy ### Duncan Trail Route distance 1.9 mi Allow 1–2 hours Add a second easy route with small obstacles. Use low speed and stay on the legal track. SKILL ADDED Add basic tire placement. Access note: Source snapshot: Open. Check the live source before travel. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=41.03278&lng=-77.14355&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/pennsylvania/trails/8614-duncan-trail) ![Topographic route map for Duncan Trail](/media/adventures/regions/maps/duncan-trail.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE ### Duncan Trail, from start to finish Climb +179 ft Descent −100 ft Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal. 03 easy ### Red Tongue Trail Route distance 2.6 mi Allow 1–2 hours Use this route to practice reading ruts and road edges. Stop if wet ground cannot support the vehicle. SKILL ADDED Add a condition-based road decision. Access note: Source snapshot: Open. Check the live source before travel. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=41.07053&lng=-77.10928&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/pennsylvania/trails/8612-red-tongue-trail) ![Topographic route map for Red Tongue Trail](/media/adventures/regions/maps/red-tongue-trail.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE ### Red Tongue Trail, from start to finish Climb +151 ft Descent −150 ft Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal. 04 easy ### Little Poe Road Route distance 3.8 mi Allow 2–3 hours Add distance on a forest road. Check the route at every junction and keep the return reserve. SKILL ADDED Add navigation and time away from pavement. Access note: Source snapshot: Open. Check the live source before travel. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=40.81541&lng=-77.46696&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/pennsylvania/trails/7702-little-poe-road) ![Topographic route map for Little Poe Road](/media/adventures/regions/maps/little-poe-road.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE ### Little Poe Road, from start to finish Climb +827 ft Descent −277 ft Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal. 05 moderate ### High Top Trail Route distance 1.8 mi Allow 2–3 hours Move to rougher ground. Walk any rock or rut that hides the safe tire line. SKILL ADDED Add clearance checks and rougher surface. Access note: Source snapshot: Open. Check the live source before travel. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=40.80479&lng=-77.27180&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/pennsylvania/trails/8615-high-top-trail) ![Topographic route map for High Top Trail](/media/adventures/regions/maps/high-top-trail.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE ### High Top Trail, from start to finish Climb +504 ft Descent −232 ft Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal. 06 moderate ### Strong Mountain Road Route distance 5.8 mi Allow Half day Add a longer ridge road with more sustained rough sections. Use a firm weather and time limit. SKILL ADDED Add duration and repeated line choices. Access note: Source snapshot: Open. Check the live source before travel. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=40.78791&lng=-77.44270&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/pennsylvania/trails/7701-strong-mountain-road) ![Topographic route map for Strong Mountain Road](/media/adventures/regions/maps/strong-mountain-road.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE ### Strong Mountain Road, from start to finish Climb +508 ft Descent −881 ft Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal. 07 difficult ### Sharpback Hollow Route distance 4.5 mi Allow 2–4 hours Use this stage only when dry enough to protect the route. Inspect mud and water before you continue. SKILL ADDED Add deeper ruts, water, and self-recovery planning. Access note: Source snapshot: Open. Check the live source before travel. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=40.94215&lng=-77.25966&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/pennsylvania/trails/8608-sharpback-hollow) ![Topographic route map for Sharpback Hollow](/media/adventures/regions/maps/sharpback-hollow.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE ### Sharpback Hollow, from start to finish Climb +140 ft Descent −479 ft Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal. 08 difficult ### Fern Ridge - Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area Route distance 1.1 mi Allow Half day Keep the managed park route as the final stage. Follow current park rules and use a suitable vehicle and spotter. SKILL ADDED Add larger rock in a controlled recreation setting. Access note: Source snapshot: Open. Check the live source before travel. [Open on the Backroads Map](/map?lat=40.75593&lng=-76.60340&z=11&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/pennsylvania/trails/8451-fern-ridge-anthracite-outdoor-adventure-area) ![Topographic route map for Fern Ridge - Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area](/media/adventures/regions/maps/fern-ridge-aoaa.webp) TOPOGRAPHIC ROUTE MAP · ROUTE LINE FROM TRAILS OFFROAD · BASEMAP FROM USGS TOPOGRAPHIC PROFILE ### Fern Ridge - Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area, from start to finish Climb +129 ft Descent −188 ft Elevation sampled from AWS Terrain Tiles along the published route. Small terrain and GPS differences are normal. ROUTE READINESS ## Do seven checks before you leave pavement. 01 ### surface Forest dirt, rock, ruts, mud, and managed park obstacles 02 ### clearance Standard clearance early; more clearance and protection later 03 ### remoteness The forest is close to towns, but cell service and recovery vary 04 ### charging Verify a working charger before the ridge roads 05 ### cell Coverage Carry the routes offline 06 ### weather Avoid saturated roads and active freeze-thaw damage 07 ### turnaround Stop before mud, rock, or a park obstacle exceeds the prior stage BEFORE YOU GO ## Make these decisions while you have a signal. - Check state-forest and park access - Confirm permits, fees, and vehicle rules - Download the route and charger plan TURN AROUND WHEN ## Follow the limits that you set. - A gate or sign does not match the plan - Ruts exceed the vehicle's clearance - Tires spin and damage the road CARRY ## Prepare for common problems. - Tire repair kit and compressor - Recovery gear for the selected stage - Offline maps, water, and weather layers ![Topographic route plate for Pennsylvania: Ridge Road Progression](/media/adventures/regions/maps/duncan-trail.webp) FEATURED ROUTE MAP Use the full trail path for orientation. Confirm current access with the land manager. OPEN THE LIVE MAP ## Check the drive home. See the route with open chargers and road-distance charging gaps. Planned stations do not change current coverage. [Build this trip plan](/plan?pack=pennsylvania-ridge-road-progression)[Open near this trail](/map?lat=41.03278&lng=-77.14355&z=9&trails=1&packs=1)[Open Trails Offroad](https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/pennsylvania/trails/8614-duncan-trail)[Browse all adventure collections and trip packs](/adventures)[Share what changed after your trip](/guides/trail-commons?kind=trail&sourceAdventure=pennsylvania-ridge-road-progression) ## Sitemap See the full [EV Backroads sitemap](/sitemap.md) for every published page.