The trail runs generally northeast and passes the Laurel Ridge State Park office near , enters Saltlick Township, Fayette County at about , then leaves the park and enters Forbes State Forest just before . Shortly after this the trail returns to Somerset County (Middlecreek Township) and passes the third overnight shelter area with potable water. Between and the trail follows the border between Laurel Ridge State Park and Forber State Forest, then leaves public land for private property. It crosses the borough of Seven Springs and runs just west of Seven Springs Mountain Resort and Laurel Hill State Park. Just before the trail crosses into Donegal Township in Westmoreland County, and shortly after enters the state forest and then Laurel Ridge State Park again. At about , the trail crosses back into Somerset County (Jefferson Township), and just past passes the fourth overnight shelter area, with potable water. It runs west of Kooser State Park and continues for several miles just east of the county line, crossing the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 70/76) before . The pedestrian bridge over the turnpike was closed in December 2009, when it was deemed to be in such poor condition that it was too unstable to use. The bridge was reopened in January 2012.