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A simple and direct way to experience the beauty of the great outdoors in northwest Pennsylvania firsthand is by hiking or backpacking on any of the hundreds of miles of trails available. Hiking requires little more than a canteen of water, a high-energy snack, and a pair of sturdy boots. Backpacking requires a higher level of physical fitness, as well as appropriate equipment; however, even a novice backpacker can quickly learn skills needed for enjoying a few days on the trail.
With its beautiful rolling hill geography and woodland resources, northwest Pennsylvania contains a wide variety of trails to suit every hiker's style, from the picnicking family to the long-distance backpacker.
Along with the opportunity to enjoy Northwest Pennsylvania's beautiful scenery and seemingly endless trails, there comes a responsibility to maintain our environment and treat the land with respect. Hikers should always abide by the rules of the trail and leave very little evidence of their visit. In essence, 'take only pictures, leave only footprints,' and practice no-impact camping. For information and guidelines on no-impact camping, click here.
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| Baker Trail | ||||||||||||
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| Gerard Trail | ||||||||||||
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Located completely within Oil Creek State Park, the Gerard Trail is one of only a few backpacking trails in the Pennsylvania State Park system. The trail is 36 miles long, has two different camping areas with shelters, and many access points throughout the park which provide a great way to explore the various scenic areas of Oil Creek State Park. Gerard Trail is complemented by many other recreational opportunities in the area such as fishing, canoeing, picnicking; and there are 16 miles of additional hiking trails nearby.
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| North Country Scenic Trail | ||||||||||||
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The North Country National Scenic Trail begins in North Dakota and will eventually stretch over 4,000 miles in seven states to its terminus in New York. Currently about 1,500 miles of trail have been completed and established, with continual progress on trail development and acquisition. The North Country Trail in Pennsylvania runs through the northwest portion of the state, passing through Moraine and McConnell's Mill State Parks, and traversing the Allegheny National Forest. Upon completion, this trail will provide northwest Pennsylvania with an extensive trekking opportunity through some of the area's most beautiful landscapes. Great places to use portions of the completed North Country Trail are through Moraine State Park where it connects with 13 miles of the Glacier Ridge Trail, and in the Allegheny National Forest where 86.4 miles of trail have been completed.
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| Rails to Trails | ||||||||||||
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| Hiking in PA State Parks | ||||||||||||
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There are numerous opportunities to hike or walk in northwest Pennsylvania's many state parks. These areas provide excellent paths for younger children or inexperienced hikers because they are primarily shorter in length, and the parks provide many conveniences such as drinking water and restroom facilities. Many of the trails in state parks are also accessible to people with disabilities and cater to the outdoor education seeker, offering environmental education walks and interpretive trails.
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| Backpacking in PA State Parks | ||||||||||||
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Though backpacking through many State Parks is popular, some of the parks do not allow primitive camping. Thus, if you choose to use a trail system through a park for backpacking purposes, you need to be aware of that park's rules and regulations.
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| Allegheny National Forest | ||||||||||||
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Recent logging in the Allegheny National Forest has spawned a controversy between timber companies and no-cut forest preservation supporters. To learn more about these concerns, visit our Forests and Forestry in Northwest Pennsylvania webpage.
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Traveling
through forest and farmland, Baker Trail provides a great opportunity
for extended hikes as well as short day hikes. The trail is 141
miles long and begins in Freeport, Pennsylvania. It then weaves
its way north to its terminus where it connects with the 
The
