Get outside - Sometimes it’s just hard to get outside regularly. Our life commitments and small and large screens are constantly calling us back to the safety and comfort of our couch. By committing to a volunteer day, you’ll be held accountable for getting outside. Because your couch just is WAY more comfortable when crashing on it is a reward for hard work!

Find your passion - I’m a huge proponent of “you don’t know you don’t like it until you try”. In my own outdoor journey, I NEVER would have thought I would like sleeping outside and not showering for multiple days in a row. Even though I love hiking, I didn’t try backpacking for the longest time because I thought I would hate it. But I love backpacking now and I wasted all that time not trying it because of my limiting mindset. Give trail work a try, it could be your new favorite hobby. 

Help future generations enjoy the outdoors - Most of the trails in our state are not maintained by paid employees, but rather regular people who give up their free time to improve and maintain the trail. Without regular citizens giving up their time, many of these trails would quickly become unusable. If you love being outside, I feel like there is a moral and social obligation to keep those outside spaces amazing for all users - current and future!

👋 Meet Trish, a KTA member and supporter from south central PA! 

Q: What makes hiking in Pennsylvania special/meaningful to you?
A: "Year-round hiking is such a special experience. I love that we get to see the beauty of the outdoors in every season, and that each hike has a unique natural landscape - whether it’s the large boulders lining the Appalachian mountains, the many streams, ponds, lakes, and rivers, and the amazing wildlife - PA has an incredible wealth of ecodiversity all year long, and it’s incredible to observe and be a part of."

Q: What type of hiking do you typically prefer most often?
A: "I enjoy full day hikes, spending time outside most of the day and really taking in all the nature I can, right outside my front door. Within 30 minutes I can get to dozens of trails, including the AT!"

Q: When did you start hiking?
A: "I’ve been a hiker all my life, growing up outside Mt Holly Springs, I was surrounded by woods and nature. I wouldn’t have it any other way."

Q: What are you currently excited about in your hiking life?
A: "While I have MANY trails on my list, I’m looking forward to potentially hiking the Rachel Carson trail! I’ve done the KTA challenge 2 years in a row so this would be an amazing new challenge to add to my hiking adventures."

Q: Which hiking trails do you enjoy/recommend that are near where you live?
A: "The Cumberland Valley Overlook is a great out-and-back trail that’s super close, I also really love the Pole Steeple trail in Michaux State Forest, which is a childhood favorite and one I never get bored of. It’s my go-to when I want to think, enjoy, or just take visitors who want to see some gorgeous vistas and boulder some rocks at the top!"

Q: Which hiking trails do you recommend (anywhere in PA)?
A: "I love everything around Ricketts Glen State Park, it’s an impossible task to find a bad hike or trail - everything is gorgeous there!"

Q: What do you value most about KTA's mission?
A: "I love the fact that KTA educates people on ways to preserve and enjoy the trails. I find that the more people know about the planet we all live on, the more they’re inclined to take care of it so that we can enjoy nature’s beauty for many years to come!"

Do you care about providing, protecting, preserving, and promoting recreational hiking trails and hiking opportunities in Pennsylvania? That's why KTA is here! Help ensure this mission continues to be fulfilled. 

👋 Meet Charlie, a KTA member from south central PA! He is also involved with the Yellow Breeches Watershed Association.

Q: What makes hiking in Pennsylvania special/meaningful to you?
A: "I love being in the woods, all times of the year. I grew up in Miami, FL., a very special place, but it doesn’t have hardwood forests, rolling hills, or waterfalls. I have shared many wonderful hikes with my wife, our kids and the boys’ scout troop. Among our family’s favorite memories are fall hikes in Gifford Pinchot SP and Boyd’s Big Tree Conservation Area. Boulders, newts, trees, and water!"

Q: What type of hiking do you typically prefer most often?
A: "Short hikes, usually late in the morning."

Q: When did you start hiking?
A: "In 1998, when I moved to SC PA and met my forever hiking partner, Lesli."

Q: What are you currently excited about in your hiking life?
A: "I want to start collecting waterfalls and viewing fungi. We always love seeing birds, too."

Q: Which hiking trails do you enjoy/recommend that are near where you live?
A: "White Rocks in Mechanicsburg."

Q: Which hiking trails do you recommend (anywhere in PA)?
A: "I loved hiking in Hickory Run State Park with our scouts. There is a waterfall and a boulder field."

Q: What do you value most about KTA's mission?
A: "Promoting hiking because when you teach someone to love the woods then they will protect and preserve them, too."

You can help preserve Pennsylvania's beautiful forests that Charlie and thousands of other hikers love! Learn about our Trail Care Program and how you can easily get involved!

👋 Meet Reuben ("Lunar"), a KTA member and volunteer from Lycoming County, PA! He is also involved with the Alpine Club of Williamsport, PCTA, CDTC, ALDHA-WEST. 

Q: What makes hiking in Pennsylvania special/meaningful to you?
A: "I have hiked all over the country and in various places in the world and PA has something special in the trails and the community around them."

Q: What type of hiking do you typically prefer most often?
A: "I love all of them. I am a thru-hiker having completed the AT, PCT, and CDT but I am just as happy doing a day hike or short overnight hike depending on the company."

Q: When did you start hiking?
A: "I was first introduced to backpacking in 2001 at a Therapeutic Wilderness program where I did AmeriCorps."

Q: What are you currently excited about in your hiking life?
A: "I am about to have a baby so I am super stoked to be able to introduce Baby to the world of hiking. Also, I have started an outdoor adventure guide, outfitting, consulting, and education service, so I am pretty excited to share my experiences with others in that way too!"

Q: Which hiking trails do you enjoy/recommend that are near where you live?
A: "I love the Loyalsock State Forest. The Loyalsock Trail is one of my go-to trails and I have been getting acquainted with the Old Loggers Path, Black Forest Trail, and West Rim Trail recently. The trails at Rider Park provide some lovely views and are very close to home. I also enjoy getting out and exploring State Game Lands."

Q: Which hiking trails do you recommend (anywhere in PA)?
A: "Loyalsock Trail, Old Loggers Path, Black Forest Trail, West Rim Trail, Mid-State Trail, Appalachian Trail."

Q: What do you value most about KTA's mission?
A: "I have benefited from the work of many organizations like KTA in my travels and long-distance hiking. I appreciate the effort that is put into it and I am looking for ways to give back to this hiking community that has given me so much."

Check out our guides and badges for many of the trails recommended by "Lunar"! Find them on our online store.

👋 Meet Alicia, a KTA member and volunteer from southeast, PA! She is also involved with HST Conservancy, Blue Mountain Eagle Hiking Club, and the Appalachian Long Distance Hiking Association.


Q: What makes hiking in Pennsylvania special/meaningful to you?
A: "I found peace and strength in PA trails."

Q: When did you start hiking?
A: "3 years ago."

Q: What are you currently excited about in your hiking life?
A: "I’m very interested and excited about getting wilderness first aid certified and hoping to help at a local hostel this hiking season."

Q: Which hiking trails do you enjoy/recommend that are near where you live?
A: "The Horse Shoe Trail and the PA Appalachian Trail."

Q: Which hiking trails do you recommend (anywhere in PA)?
A: "The AT is beautiful. So many different environments and experiences depending on the section."

Q: What do you value most about KTA's mission?
A: "I love the opportunities they provide to learn first aid, trail maintenance, and introducing new trails!"

Check out our newly updated (13th edition) detailed guide to the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania! Find it on our online store.

👋 Meet Debra, a KTA member from Perry County, PA! She serves as the President of the Duncannon Appalachian Trail Community. Here's what she had to say about PA's hiking trails: 


Q: What makes hiking in Pennsylvania special/meaningful to you?
A: "The mountains, forests and views."

Q: When did you start hiking?
A: "Upon retirement in 2006."

Q: What are you currently excited about in your hiking life?
A: "The fact that I can continue to hike and backpack after 3 knee replacements and 3 serious back surgeries of which the second one left me lame. My Wilderness First Aid Certification put into practice twice for trimalleolar breaks and the ability to teach about the outdoors when I am leading hikes."

Q: Which hiking trails do you enjoy/recommend that are near where you live?
A: "Hawk Rock and Eagles Edge."

Q: Which hiking trails do you recommend (anywhere in PA)?
A: "Quehanna Wildlife Area trails."

Q: What do you value most about KTA's mission?
A: "Promoting recreational hiking trails and hiking opportunities in Pennsylvania."

Q: What other hiking/outdoor-related clubs, organizations, groups, etc. are you involved with?
A: "Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club, Canoe Club of Greater Harrisburg, Nature Conservancy, Forest Steward Penn State, Duncannon Outdoor Club, Susquehanna River Trails Association, Perry County Day Camp, and Duncannon Appalachian Trail Community."

Group hikes and trainings (like Wilderness First Aid) are great ways to meet other hikers, like Debra! Check out our upcoming events to find an opportunity to get involved and expand your hiking network!

👋 Meet Kathy, a KTA member and Representative at Large from Chester County, PA! She is also an active member of Chester County Trail Club, AMC, ATC, and GMC.


Q: What makes hiking in Pennsylvania special/meaningful to you?
A: "PA hiking is special and meaningful because I live here, and the state provides a wide range and variety of trails within the state. Hiking opportunities abound in the state."

Q: What type of hiking do you typically prefer most often?
A: "I enjoy all types of hiking. Long, short, hard, easy, it doesn't matter, whatever gets me moving and outdoors."

Q: When did you start hiking?
A: "Consistently for over 20 years ago but, I've been active all of my life."

Q: What are you currently excited about in your hiking life?
A: "I'm excited about getting completing and having done many of the major PA trails. Plus, how close I am to earning the PA State Forest Trails award."

Q: Which hiking trails do you recommend (anywhere in PA)?
A: "I would recommend all of them. Each trail has an aspect(s) that makes it unique and wonderful to hike or backpack. Sometimes it depends on how I'm feeling on that particular day or time."

Q: What do you value most about KTA's mission?
A: "I value all parts of the KTA mission because one doesn't work without the others."

Curious about which hiking awards you can receive? Learn more here!

👋 Meet Blase, a KTA Representative at Large from southeastern PA! He is an active member of Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club and is helping to organize a robust intro to backpacking event for hikers that will happen this spring (more details to come!).


Q: What makes hiking in Pennsylvania special/meaningful to you?
A: "The incredible variety of hiking options regarding terrain, views, vegetation and wildlife… and how those options transform through the seasons."

Q: What type of hiking do you typically prefer most often?
A: "Generally backpacking or long full day hikes."

Q: When did you start hiking?
A: "Hiking since youth, backpacking for 6 years."

Q: What are you currently excited about in your hiking life?
A: "Educating myself on PA ecology and in particular plants and geology.  Planning long 7+ day BP’s that may incorporate paths less-traveled."

Q: Which hiking trails do you enjoy/recommend that are near where you live?
A: "The Pinchot Trail is the closest backpacking trail to my home.  A pretty trail with moderate terrain having good water and campsites.  My go-to escape from the matrix."

Q: Which hiking trails do you recommend (anywhere in PA)?
A: "The Black Forest Trail is wonderful but arduous, incorporating many of the best features of PA hiking trails.    I have many favorites that I routinely recommend, examples are the Allegheny Front Trail and West Rim Trail."

Q: What do you value most about KTA's mission?
A: "The KTA plays a pivotal role in representing and integrating the collective interests of outdoor enthusiasts and hiking clubs."

Check out our detailed hiking guides for some of the trails Blase recommends:

Meet Shawna and Terry, a father-daughter hiking duo from western PA! They are ridge runners for the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail and members and volunteers for KTA.

Q: What makes hiking in Pennsylvania special/meaningful to you?
A: "We love hiking in Pennsylvania because it is our home state. There is so much to offer in all seasons and it's beauty is unmatched. We spend a lot of time hiking the Appalachian Trail, and Pennsylvania seems to get a bad reputation because its AT miles are rocky. We like to stand up for PA trails and remind people there is so much more to explore!"

Q: What type of hiking do you typically prefer most often?
A: "We prefer backpacking on multi-day hikes, but we are also happy to get my 2 daughters out on day hikes and one night stayovers!"

Q: When did you start hiking?
A: "We started our backpacking adventures more than 20 years ago after I was required to read "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson as an incoming college freshman."

Q: What are you currently excited about in your hiking life?
A: "We have been working to section hike the entire Appalachian Trail and last summer we crossed the 1,000 mile mark!"

Q: Which hiking trails do you enjoy/recommend that are near where you live?
A: "I live near the Westmoreland Heritage Trail and Duff Park in Murrysville. They are both great options to get out and about when I only have a few hours."

Q: Which hiking trails do you recommend (anywhere in PA)?
A: "We love the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail. It's a great trail for beginning backpackers. The designated shelter areas make it easier to plan your overnight stays."

Q: What do you value most about KTA's mission?
A: "I value KTA's mission to promote recreational hiking trails. I work in education and I love sharing my outdoor stories and knowledge with my students. Let's get more students outdoors!"

Working on hiking the AT in PA, too? Check out our detailed hiking guide for the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania: https://ktahike.app.neoncrm.com/.../ktahike/giftstore.jsp