Keystone Trails Association
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Hiking Awards
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.   

AWARD DETAILS AND REQUIREMENTS
  1. Appalachian Trail Award - Applicant must have hiked the entire Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania.
  2. Merit Award - Applicant must have hiked the entire Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania plus 200 or more miles on any of the trails listed below.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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 a short form on DCNR's website in addition to sending in the KTA Award Application.
  6. Western Pennsylvania Award - Applicant must have hiked 200 miles or more on any of the western trails listed below.
  7. 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. 
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 Casey Schneck at ktaadmin@kta-hike.org.

  • Home
    • About
    • Work For KTA
    • Our People
    • Our Story
    • Press
    • Multimedia
  • Events
    • KTA Trail Challenge
    • Spring Hiking Weekend 2021
    • Allegheny Front Trail Slackpack 2021
    • Old Loggers Path Slackpack
    • Susquehanna River Trip
    • Allegheny River Trip
    • Black Forest Trail Slackpacks
  • Membership
    • Gift Membership
  • Donate
    • Keep Trails Alive
    • The Heritage Society
    • Keystone Trails Endowment
    • 100-Mile Trail Challenge
    • KTA Trail Patrons
    • Corporate Sponsors
  • Protect
    • Legislation KTA Is Following
    • Take Action
    • Activist Backpack >
      • Write a Letter to the Editor
      • Write to Your Elected Officials
      • Phone Your Elected Officials
      • Meet Your Elected Officials
      • Gather Trail Data
    • Kids Trail Ambassador Program
  • Trails
    • Hiking Clubs
    • Major Trails and Find a Club
    • Trail Care and Trail Crew
    • Volunteer Hours
    • Trail Alerts
    • Hiking Awards
  • News
    • Newsletter Archive
    • Advertising
  • Store
  • Contact
    • Trail Survey
    • Photo Contest