Did you know you can earn an award just by hiking?
A Brief History of the Keystone Trails Association Annual Hiking Awards
In 1961, the Keystone Trails Association (KTA) instituted an annual Hiking Awards Program to recognize those hikers whose enjoyment of Pennsylvania’s trails might serve as an example and inspiration to their peers. Over the years, hundreds of individuals have demonstrated their dedication to hiking and, in no small part, to preservation of trails by applying for and receiving the various KTA awards.
In 2003, three additional awards joined the traditional Appalachian Trail, Merit, Merit II and Western Pennsylvania Awards. Hikers may now apply for the Pennsylvania Award, the Young Hiker Award, and the State Forest Trails Award (cosponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources).
Rules for each award, eligible trails, and the application procedure are outlined in this brochure.
In 1961, the Keystone Trails Association (KTA) instituted an annual Hiking Awards Program to recognize those hikers whose enjoyment of Pennsylvania’s trails might serve as an example and inspiration to their peers. Over the years, hundreds of individuals have demonstrated their dedication to hiking and, in no small part, to preservation of trails by applying for and receiving the various KTA awards.
In 2003, three additional awards joined the traditional Appalachian Trail, Merit, Merit II and Western Pennsylvania Awards. Hikers may now apply for the Pennsylvania Award, the Young Hiker Award, and the State Forest Trails Award (cosponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources).
Rules for each award, eligible trails, and the application procedure are outlined in this brochure.
AWARD DETAILS AND REQUIREMENTS
- Appalachian Trail Award - Applicant must have hiked the entire Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania.
- Merit Award - Applicant must have hiked the entire Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania plus 200 or more miles on any of the trails listed below.
- Merit II Award - Applicant must have hiked all of the Appalachian Trail between the Hudson River and the Potomac River plus 200 or more miles on trails listed below in addition to those used for the Merit Award.
- Pennsylvania Award - Applicant must have hiked 500 miles in Pennsylvania. Trails can be found in Pennsylvania Hiking Trails, KTA's hiking guide. Portions of any trail may be used.
- State Forest Trails Award - Applicant must have hiked all 798 miles of trails in the Pennsylvania State Forest system. State Forest trails may be used to fulfill the requirements of another award. Applicant must complete this short form on DCNR's website in addition to sending in the KTA Award Application.
- Western Pennsylvania Award - Applicant must have hiked 200 miles or more on any of the western trails listed below.
- Young Hiker Award (12 and under) - Applicant must have hiked 25 miles on any trail in Pennsylvania. Applicant may receive this award on multiple occasions, but must complete the 25-mile requirement on different trails for each award.
ELIGIBLE TRAILS
Trails in italics are at least in part State Forest Trails and are therefore eligible for use in completion of the DCNR State Forest Trails Award. A list of trails and required mileage for each are listed on this Bureau of Forestry page.
Trails in italics are at least in part State Forest Trails and are therefore eligible for use in completion of the DCNR State Forest Trails Award. A list of trails and required mileage for each are listed on this Bureau of Forestry page.
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WESTERN TRAILS
Allegheny Front Baker Bucktail Path Chuck Keiper Donut Hole Elk Hickory Creek John P. Saylor Laurel Highlands Lost Turkey Mid State Mill Creek North Country Oil Creek State Park Quehanna Raccoon Loop Rachel Carson Rimrock-Morrison Shenango Susquehannock Twin Lakes Warrior |
EASTERN TRAILS
Big Pocono State Park Black Forest Blooming Grove Brandywine Conestoga Darlington Golden Eagle Horse Shoe Joseph Gmitter Lehigh River Loyalsock Mason-Dixon Mid-State Old Loggers Path Pinchot Ricketts Glen State Park Rocky Knob Standing Stone Susquehannock Thunder Swamp Tobyhanna Lake Tuscarora West Rim |
GUIDELINES
Applications received by September 1 will be eligible for receiving Awards at the Annual KTA Fall Hiking Weekend. Awards not claimed at the Annual Meeting will be mailed to the recipient. Applications received after September 1 will be considered for the subsequent year.
The following rules must be observed:
A log showing starting and stopping points on trails and dates hiked must be included with the application.
No trail may be used for more than one award, as specified in the award requirements, except for the Appalachian Trail and State Forest Trails Awards.
Except for the Pennsylvania and Young Hiker Awards, any trail used for an award must be hiked in its entirety; partially hiked trails will not be accepted.
In support of the application, please obtain the signature of an officer of KTA or some other outdoor organization.
A separate application must be submitted for each award.
Applications must be received by the first of September of the year in which the award is to be made.
Completed applications should be mailed to:
Keystone Trails Association
46 E. Main St.
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Direct questions to Cameron Elo at ktaadmin@kta-hike.org.
Applications received by September 1 will be eligible for receiving Awards at the Annual KTA Fall Hiking Weekend. Awards not claimed at the Annual Meeting will be mailed to the recipient. Applications received after September 1 will be considered for the subsequent year.
The following rules must be observed:
A log showing starting and stopping points on trails and dates hiked must be included with the application.
No trail may be used for more than one award, as specified in the award requirements, except for the Appalachian Trail and State Forest Trails Awards.
Except for the Pennsylvania and Young Hiker Awards, any trail used for an award must be hiked in its entirety; partially hiked trails will not be accepted.
In support of the application, please obtain the signature of an officer of KTA or some other outdoor organization.
A separate application must be submitted for each award.
Applications must be received by the first of September of the year in which the award is to be made.
Completed applications should be mailed to:
Keystone Trails Association
46 E. Main St.
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Direct questions to Cameron Elo at ktaadmin@kta-hike.org.