KTA Events
Climate & Hiking Trails Virtual Forum (Webinar) Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 6:30PM–8PM Join Greg Czarnecki, Director of Applied Climate Science for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and Brook Lenker, KTA Executive Director, for a conversation around climate impacts on Pennsylvania’s hiking trails. Learn about our state’s changing climate and share stories from observations in the field. We want your ideas, big and small, for mitigation, adaptation, and communications. All are welcome, but trail volunteers and trail club leaders are especially encouraged to join the session. Register Now > KTA Trail Care Road Show March (dates below) Come out and meet Jenn and Brook and other interesting trail maintenance folks during KTA’s Trail Care Roadshow! Find out what KTA and our Trail Care Program are all about. We’ll have brochures, handouts, and other first-hand information, as well as some giveaways. See Details >
Trail Care: Chainsaw Training (Filled) Sunday, March 24, 2024 | Rauchtown, PA (Tiadaghton State Forest facility) Chainsaw Safety Training is a one-day introduction to general chainsaw safety skills. It is targeted to KTA Trail Care Volunteers and hiking club volunteers. Topics covered by the Tiadaghton SF Forester include safety, ergonomics, and bucking and limbing techniques, as well as an overview of typical saw operation and maintenance The class runs from 8:00 a.m. to approximately 4:00 p.m. Lunch is provided, and scholarships may be available upon request. Discounts are available for KTA members, volunteers, trail club representatives, and conservation partners. Register Now > Wilderness First Aid (Certification Course) (Filled) April 6-7, 2024 (Sat-Sun) | Lebanon, PA Wilderness First Aid is a two-day introduction to general medical concepts and basic life support skills taught by Tara Cross, a qualified and experienced WMA instructor. It is targeted to the outdoor enthusiast on day trips or short adventures. This course results in a certification in Wilderness First Aid and Adult CPR. See Details > Spring Hiking Weekend April 19-21, 2024 (Fri-Sun) | Stroudsburg, PA KTA Hiking Weekends feature 3 days of hiking, camaraderie, and looking ahead to the future of PA's trails! Join us for hikes on the Appalachian Trail, through Beltzsville State Park and Bear Creek Preserve, see majestic waterfalls, and more! Plus, enjoy evening presentations about the Kittatinny Ridge and the Appalachian Trail. Register Now > Kittatinny Rambles Series: Appalachian Trail Bluebell Hike at Scott Farm Thursday, April 25, 2024 | Middlesex Township, Cumberland County (301 Bernheisel Bridge Rd, Carlisle, PA 17015) Enjoy beautiful Virginia bluebell wildflowers blooming in profusion along the Appalachian and Conodoguinet Creek. Learn about plans for the Scott Farm property as the future home of Keystone Trails Association and an important hub for trail activities by conservation partners. The adjacent Kittatinny Ridge is a major flyway for migratory birds and an iconic landscape deserving amplified awareness and protection.
Kittatinny Rambles Series: Wildwood Mega Hike at Wildwood Park Saturday, April 27, 2024 | Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County As part of Wildwood Wetlands Festival, explore approximately four miles of the park’s trail system, incorporating portions of the wetland boardwalks, East Shore Trail, Tall Timbers Trail, Fox Run Trail, Wildwood Way, and the Towpath Trail. The hike traverses a variety of habitats–from open marsh to mature upland forest–and affords inspiring views of the Susquehanna Water Gap, a National Natural Landmark along the Kittatinny Ridge. Event Location: 100 Wildwood Way Harrisburg, PA 17110 The hike departs from the entrance to the Olewine Nature Center The event is free. Registration is not required. Trail Love: Michaux Edition May 31–June 1, 2024 (Fri-Sat) | Michaux State Forest You won't want to miss this celebratory one-day trail maintenance extravaganza! Volunteers and community partners will tackle multiple trail maintenance projects on several trails in or proximate to the Michaux State Forest. An optional forest camporee on Friday evening and a congratulatory cookout will be provided after projects are completed on Saturday. Register Now > International Trip Fundraiser: Newfoundland, Canada July 8-18, 2024 (Mon-Thur) Join KTA for another spectacular hiking adventure, this time to the awe-inspiring west coast of Newfoundland, Canada’s most unique province. This year due to limited spots available and the physical demands required for the level of hiking for this trip, KTA will be using a lottery system and application process to manage the registration process for this event to ensure fairness to and safety of attendees. Learn more & submit your name for the lottery > Allegheny National Forest Hiking Weekend August 16–18, 2024 (Fri-Sun) A long-standing tradition, KTA's ANF Hiking Weekend is great for hikers looking for a laid-back weekend with friends (or friends-to-be). Explore the beautiful forests on guided group hikes during the day. Then enjoy relaxing evenings around a bonfire, attend a special guest presentation, or head into town for a night out! ***Save the date; more info to come! Trail Challenge 25K Hike/Run September 7, 2024 (Sat.) | Lower Susquehanna Gorge Challenge yourself to complete these arduous miles of steep climbs and rocky terrain punctuated with fantastic vistas and scenic forest hollows. The course is great for both trail runners pushing for their best times on rugged trails and hikers aiming to complete the strenuous challenge before the evening finish cutoff. *Early bird pricing ends June 30!* Register Now > Keystone Hiking and Outdoor Weekend October 18-20 (Fri-Sun) | Susquehanna Riverlands Explore the Susquehanna Riverlands through a create-your-own-experience-style weekend! Choose from events hosted by community and outdoor-related organizations to highlight the natural recreational assets of the region. We will have guided adventures, educational opportunities, and stewardship activities. ***Save the date; more info to come! |
Other Events with PA Hiking Clubs & Orgs
View DCNR's full schedule of events! Find more events in your area by connecting with a local club or organization! |
Ongoing Events and Programs
100-Mile Trail ChallengeThe annual 100-Mile Trail Challenge recognizes hikers that complete 100 miles or more of eligible Pennsylvania hiking trails between September 1 and August 31. Participants are encouraged to collect sponsorships to raise $1 per mile.
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Kids Trail Ambassador ProgramAt KTA’s booth at the Wildwood Park Wetlands Festival on April 25, 2015, in Harrisburg, we launched a new program aimed at engaging youth in hiking and the outdoors: the KTA Kids Trail Ambassador Program.
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Past Programs and Events
Education and Outreach
Trail Care 101: WorkshopKTA hosted the first ever Trail Care 101 at Whipple Dam State Park. The workshop was designed to prepare participants that want to try Trail Care, but might not have Trail Care background.
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Backpacking 101 WorkshopA two part series enabling day hikers to take the next step into the world of backpacking in Penn’s Woods.
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Excursions
KTA hosted a hiking experience like no other. Hikers explored the history, culture, and beauty, both natural and man-made, of Philadelphia.
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What better way to end a day of hiking than trying some fabulous local breweries? KTA hosted a weekend to see all the hidden gems Cumberland Valley has to offer.
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Join KTA in Pennsylvania's only National Forest, stay in the beautiful Groves Lodge, and experience one of a kind hiking opportunities.
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The Keystone Trails Association was scheduled to host the 15th Annual Prowl the Sproul Hiking Weekend from July 27 to July 29, 2018 in the beautiful Sproul State Forest of western Clinton County.
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KTA hosted a weekend to explore Tiadaghton State Forest.
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October 4th-6th
See the majestic PA elk up close! |
Slackpacks
The AFT is a 41.75 mile loop trail through Moshannon State Forest that roughly encircles Black Moshannon State Park. The trail provides a wide variety of forest environments, including views over valleys to the east, trout streams, and marshlands.
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Old Loggers Path is a 28 mile backpacking trail that follows former railroad grades, logging roads, bark trails, and other remnants of old industrial transportation, hence the name. The trail takes advantage of the engineering expertise of the early logging railroaders by following the moderate grades up and down the rugged landscape.
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KTA Hiking Weekends
What is a KTA Hiking Weekend?
We organize a weekend from breakfast to bonfire, introduce trails to anyone who’s interested but isn’t sure how to start hiking, introduce new trails to anyone who thinks they’ve hiked them all, and everyone in between.
Spring Hiking Weekend2019 - Camp Ladore
2021 - Wellsboro 2022 - Carlisle |
Fall Hiking Weekend2019 - State College
2020 - Chambersburg 2021 - Lock Haven 2022 - Lewisburg |
Water Trails
Allegheny River Canoe/Camping TripThis journey takes you 31 miles down the Allegheny River. Start from historic downtown Warren, encounter all seven of the federally protected Wilderness Islands, large swaths of the Allegheny National Forest and float past the town of Tidioute.
Our overnight camping adventure, featuring professional and knowledgeable guides, includes all paddling equipment, and are suitable for novice and experienced paddlers alike! |
Susquehanna River Day TripKTA takes to the trails – Water trails this is! Our day long adventures, featuring professional and knowledgeable guides, include all paddling equipment, and are suitable for novice and experienced paddlers alike!.
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