Pa's Hiking Week Starts Saturday, 100 Events Planned Statewide

Pennsylvania’s Hiking Week 2014 begins Saturday, May 24, and will feature a variety of organized hikes across the state. Nearly 100 organized hikes will be held over the course of the nine-day event.

“Pennsylvania Hiking Week is a great time to explore the commonwealth’s numerous hiking trails,” said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Ellen Ferretti.  “Whether you like to hike alone or with a group, spring is a beautiful time of year in Penn’s Woods. 

“The welcome mat is out to novices and trail-hardened veterans alike, inviting them to hike in our state parks, forests and municipal greenways in this annual salute to healthy exercise and the serenity of those very special outdoor places,” Ferretti said.

Pennsylvania Hiking Week is in its 13th year.

Special events planned by DCNR and the Keystone Trails Association will take place in parks, forests, cities and towns across the state, according to state officials. “All of the scheduled hikes have leaders and include a variety of lengths and terrain -- from easy strolls along urban greenways to strenuous treks in some of Pennsylvania’s rugged mountain areas,” an announcement from DCNR said.

Special hikes include night hikes and wildflower, pet and geology walks.

Visit www.ExplorePAtrails.com to see the full list of hikes.