Take a hike! Hiking Trails in Central Pennsylvania Offer Beautiful Summertime Activity

Summertime is perfect to enjoy the outdoors throughout Pennsylvania. Hiking trails of all levels can be found and some of the most beautiful are right here in central Pennsylvania. For information on a specific trail, please visit its Web site.

The following central Pennsylvania trails offer a gentle walk to enjoy nature. These trails are recommended by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Web site www.dcnr.state.pa.us, State Parks Regional Manager Gary K. Smith of the Bureau of State Parks, DCNR, and by Gary Zimmerman of Michaux State Forest.

• Buchanan's Birthplace State Park in Fort Loudon is for history buffs. This woody state park was dedicated in honor of the 15th president and is the site of James Buchanan's birthplace. A stone pyramid monument stands on the site of the original cabin where he was born. The trail serves as a bypass to the Appalachian Trail and follows the crest of the Tuscarora Mountain. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateParks/parks/buchanansbirthplace.aspx.

• Caledonia State Park in Fayetteville, offers 10 miles of trails that pass through forests and historic areas. A trail brochure is available. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, which extends 2,000 miles from northern Georgia to central Maine, traverses the central portion of Caledonia. Ramble Trail (2 miles) passes the old millrace left over from the days of the Caledonia Iron Furnace and the Shared Use Trail begins near Route 30 north of Caledonia. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/caledonia.aspx

• Colonel Denning State Park in Newville offers 18 miles of trails. The 2.5-mile Flat Rock Trail rises to a beautiful scenic vista of the Cumberland Valley. The one-mile, self-guiding Doubling Gap Trail is a moderate hike. The Hiking and Nature Trail Guide is available at the park office and has a map and detailed description of the trails in the park and surrounding forestlands. In addition to the 18 miles of hiking trails, the park is a trailhead for the 105-mile Tuscarora Trail. Smith recommends parking at Colonel Denning State Park and climbing into the Tuscarora State Forest to enjoy the beautiful view from Flat Rock. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/coloneldenning.aspx.

• French Creek State Park in Elverson is set amidst the old, quaint and picturesque farmland of southeast Pennsylvania. French Creek offers two lakes - Hopewell and Scotts Run - extensive forests and almost 40 miles of trails. Adjacent to the park lies Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site with a cold-blast furnace restored to its 1830s appearance. Hikers at French Creek have a wide variety of opportunities for quiet reflection, nature study and physical challenge. Includes eight miles of the 130-mile Horse Shoe Trail, which stretches from Valley Forge to the Appalachian Trail near Harrisburg. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/frenchcreek.aspx

• Gifford Pinchot State Park in Lewisberry offers more than 18 miles of marked and maintained trail. Most trails interconnect to allow hikers to tailor their outing to meet their individual desires. The 200-mile-long Mason-Dixon Trail runs through Gifford Pinchot State Park. The 8.5-mile Lakeside Trail offers more challenging hiking and spectacular views of the lake. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/giffordpinchot.aspx

• Kings Gap Environmental Education and Training Center in Carlisle sits astride South Mountain and offers panoramic view of the Cumberland Valley. Sixteen miles of varied hiking trails interconnect three main areas and are open year-round. Trails are handicap-accessible. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/kingsgap.aspx

• Little Buffalo State Park in Newport has approximately eight miles of hiking trails winding past an historic mill, a covered bridge and the historic Blue Ball Tavern, now a museum. Sturdy footwear is recommended because of rocky footing on some of the trails. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/littlebuffalo.aspx

• Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Gardners has three miles of trails that link to the Appalachian Trail. The Buck Ridge trail passes between Kings Gap Environmental Education Center and Pine Grove Furnace State Park, through a beautiful area of Michaux State Forest. Smith recommends the five-mile hike on the loop from Pine Grove Furnace State Park going north on the Appalachian Trail (into the Michaux State Forest), off onto another trail to Pole Steeple and back up the old railroad to your starting point. You can park at the park store and celebrate with a refreshment after your hike. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateParks/parks/pinegrovefurnace.aspx

• The 224-acre Susquehannock State Park is on a wooded plateau overlooking the Susquehanna River in southern Lancaster County. The five-miles of scenic hiking trails offer a wide variety of interesting habitats and evidence of Native Americans' past use of the area. A Field Guide to the Natural History of Susquehannock State Park is available to assist you in discovering the natural resources of the park. The most popular trail is the Overlook Trail because this leads to the two scenic vistas that overlook the Susquehanna River. Smith said these are great day-use trails and that the river view from the overlook is impressive. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/susquehannock.aspx

For those who want a little more rugged adventure, state and national trails around the Commonwealth give athletes a challenge and everyone a beautiful view. Some of the choices follow.

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail (AT) is a continuously marked footpath that extends along the Appalachian Mountain System for more than 2,100 miles, stretching from Maine to Georgia. From the south, the Appalachian Trail enters Pennsylvania in Franklin County proceeding northward for 85 miles, crossing the Susquehanna River just north of Harrisburg. The trail, marked with white blazes, leaves the state near the Delaware Water Gap. Pennsylvania plays host to more than 180 miles of the trail. The North Country Trail (NCT) passes through much of Pennsylvania's oldest forests, the 4,080-acre Tionesta Natural and Scenic Area, and the 120-acre Heart's Content Scenic Area, featuring 300-year-old white pine. http://www.northcountrytrail.org/explore/ex_pa/pa.htm

Laurel Highlands National Scenic Trail extends more than 70 miles through the 1,000-foot deep Conemaugh Gorge to the rugged Youghiogheny River Gorge at Ohiopyle State Park. Set slightly back from the trail and situated about eight to 10 miles apart, are eight overnight areas, each with five shelters, tent pads, two comfort stations and direct access to water. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/hiking/index.aspx

Mid-State Trail, known as the "Wildest Trail in Pennsylvania," is a long-distance hiking trail with side trails in Central Pennsylvania drawn out over 319 miles. Hikers will see a covered bridge built in 1879, two scout camps, two fire towers, four state forest picnic areas, as well as Stone Valley Recreation Area, the Lower Trail, and the Woolrich Factory Outlet Store. http://hike-mst.org/

Susquehannock Trail, through the rolling hills of the Appalachian Mountain, and looping through Susquehannock State Forest is 85 miles long. While the trail is considered strenuous, hikers can find moderate relief from the sparkling streams and hardwood forests featuring impressive trees like Black Cherry, Hemlock, Norway Spruce, Maple and Beech. No shelters are available along the trails. However, backpackers may build fires using the proper precautions. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/FORESTRY/hiking/susquehannock.aspx

Quehanna Trail is an impressive 75 miles long and passes through the Moshannon and Elk State forests, some of Pennsylvania's most wild and beautiful country. Marked by orange blazes, the path begins on the western end of Parker Dam State Park, winds through the Marion Brooks Natural Area and finally loops back to Parker Dam. Two blue blazed cross-connector trails add another 30 miles of casual hiking. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/hiking/quehanna.aspx

The conversion of former railroad corridors into public use trails is a Pennsylvania success story. Each year, millions of outdoor enthusiasts now enjoy a growing network of Rail-Trails. Go to www.gis.dcnr.state.pa.us/railtrails/ for information on all of Pennsylvania's Rail-Trails.

For more information about local trails, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources at http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us, the State Parks system at: 1-888 PA-PARKS (1-888-727-2757). For information about Pennsylvania: 1-800-VISIT PA (1-800 847-4872).

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