How to Get on the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania

The Appalachian Trail is a 2,175-mile path that winds through 14 states, from Maine to Georgia. It is a popular hiking destination for outdoor adventurers who traverse the trail from end to end, known as through-hikers, as well as those who are seeking a shorter day hike. The Pennsylvania portion consists of 229 miles, commencing at the Delaware Water Gap in the north and winding through the Cumberland Valley, where it enters Maryland in the south. Here are five steps to follow to access the trail.

Things You'll Need

  • Pennsylvania road map
  • Appalachian Trail guide
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Instructions

    • 1

      Determine how long you want to hike. If you plan to camp overnight, bring a tent. The hostels along the Pennsylvania portion of the trail fill up quickly.

    • 2

      Assess the overall fitness levels of your party to determine how far you'll want to hike and where you'll enter the Trail. The distances of the Pennsylvania legs range from the Cliffs and Bear Rocks portion at 4.9 miles, to the Port Clinton to Pine Swamp Road portion at 15.1 miles.

    • 3

      Consult a resource such as AppalachianTrail.org to locate a map. The Pennsylvania portion of the trail is divided into 14 sections, so you will need to determine where you want to enter the trail.

    • 4

      Choose from the many available parking areas to determine where to leave your vehicle during your hike. In most cases, you will want to park at a trailhead, which is a point where the road and trail intersect. An excellent resource for this is http://tinyurl.com/nt7uv4.

    • 5

      If you choose not to drive to a trailhead to begin your journey, alternate forms of transportation are available to get you to the trail. There are also options for transportation along the trail. For a complete list, visit the AT Shuttle List at http://tinyurl.com/qxrdbf.