The Appalachian Trail
follows ridges of mountains east of the Alleghenies to the Susquehanna River in
a long section of Trail notorious for its foot-bruising, boot-destroying rocks.
The Trail north of the Susquehanna is characterized by long, flat, rocky ridges
broken by fairly strenuous climbs in and out of gaps. About ten miles south of
the Susquehanna River, the Trail crosses the Great Valley of the Appalachians to
the Blue Ridge. This southern portion of the Trail through Pennsylvania has many
sections that are gentle, and grades are easy, making it one of the easiest
sections of the Trail.
Pennsylvania can be oppressively hot in summer, and water may be scarce. The
Trail crosses many roads, and some shelters are near roads, where scattered
crime problems make extra safety awareness a good idea. Many of us do not
have the time or the will to be a AT "through hiker". But we still want to
experience what the Appalachian Trail has to offer. Below are links to the
best of the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania. These are day hikes to
some of the best sections of the AT in Pennsylvania.
