Appalachian Trail - Pennsylvania Active and Adventure Travel Guide

Appalachian Trail - Pennsylvania Active and Adventure Travel Guide

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Active and Adventure Destinations Near Appalachian Trail - Pennsylvania

Travel Guides Near Appalachian Trail - Pennsylvania

Maine Active and Adventure National Scenic and Historic Trail

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South of Cove Mountain Shelter along the Appalachian Trail, Pennsylvania
South of Cove Mountain Shelter along the Appalachian Trail, Pennsylvania (Mike Swanson/Appalachian Trail Conservancy)
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Appalachian Trail - Pennsylvania Active and Adventure Travel Tips

By Toby Gohn
  • Trail Stats: 229.4 Trail Miles, 24 Hiker Shelters
  • This section of the Appalachian Trail (AT) is the third longest in the 14 states it passes through. If the AT in Pennsylvania is known for anything, it’s rocks. Long sections of the otherwise unchallenging trail are riddled with millions of foot-turners that require intense concentration. Good thing there aren’t many views, as most hikers spend much of the time watching their step. Where the trail isn’t rocky, it’s carving its way east to the other ridges via long, sometimes impossibly muddy, pastures.
  • The state is also home to the precious midpoint of the entire AT, just a few miles south of Pine Grove Furnace State Park. To commemorate the moment, many thru-hikers take the “half-gallon challenge” at the Pine Grove General Store. This time-honored celebration entails sitting on the porch of the store and eating an entire half gallon of ice cream in one sitting.
  • Recommended 2-Day Trip: The greatest thing about this easy 25-mile section is logistical in nature; the AT literally cuts through each town on the route. Start in small but charming Boiling Springs then cross over the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-81 and shoot to spend the night in the superb Darlington shelter, at just about the midpoint in the trip. It’s a relatively new shelter that is well appointed and makes for a great night of camping. On day two, end in Duncannon, an even smaller town than Boiling Springs but home of the legendary Doyle Hotel. To anyone other than a tired hiker, the accommodations are, shall we say, “simple,” complete with exposed wiring and creaky beds. But the bar scene is loud and jovial, easily one of the best pub scenes on the entire trail—it’s a great place to kick back a few with locals and hikers alike. Directions: Pennsylvania 174 at Boiling Springs, north to Market Street at Duncannon.

Guidebook: Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers' Companion (Appalachian Trail Conservancy)
Appalachian Trail: Georgia | North Carolina | Tennessee | Virginia | West Virginia | Maryland | Pennsylvania | New Jersey | New York | Connecticut | Massachusetts | Vermont | New Hampshire | Maine

Active and Adventure Overview: Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail is a multi-state public footpath across 2,175 miles of Appalachian Mountain ridgelines from Maine to Georgia. Roads that cross it for all but its northernmost 100 miles give ready access. The Trail is protected along more than 96 percent of its course by federal or state ownership of the land itself or by rights-of-way. Read More

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Hotels

from: $161

Inn at Jim Thorpe

24 Broadway
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229 Map

Distance: 32.3 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 3 class stars

Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0

Mountain Laurel Resort & Spa

Route 940
White Haven, PA 18661 Map

Distance: 33.9 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 2 class stars

Expert Rated & Recommended
3.0
from: $101

Hampton Inn & Suites Hershey

749 East Chocolate Avenue
Hershey, PA 17033 Map

Distance: 91.5 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 3 class stars

Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0
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Attractions

Hog Rock-Blue Ridge Summit Loop

expert favorite attraction
Catoctin Mountain Park
66602 Foxville Road
Thurmont, Maryland 21788-1598

Distance: 152.9 mi. (from destination center)

Description: This is a five-mile loop from the park's main visitor's center that takes in the panoramic views... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0

Joseph McDade Recreational Trail

expert favorite attraction
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
c/o Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, HQ River Rd off Route 209
Bushkill, Pennsylvania 18324

Distance: 11.4 mi. (from destination center)

Description: The Joseph M. McDade Recreational Trail is a planned recreational trail that, when completed, will... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
4_0

Middle Delaware National Scenic River

expert favorite attraction
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
c/o Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, HQ River Rd off Route 209
Bushkill, Pennsylvania 18324

Distance: 16.9 mi. (from destination center)

Description: The Middle Delaware National Scenic River is a 40-mile stretch of calm water forming the boundary... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
4_0
All Appalachian Trail - Pennsylvania Attractions »

Airports

Major Airports near Appalachian Trail - Pennsylvania

Distance (mi.)
Newark Liberty International Airport 54.5 map
New York La Guardia Airport 67.4 map
New York John F Kennedy International Airport 74.6 map

Other Smaller Airports near Appalachian Trail - Pennsylvania

Distance (mi.)
Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton Lehigh Valley International Airport 27.0 map
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre International Airport 39.3 map
Caldwell Wright Airport 45.2 map

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