Hikers can pick their pace and path through Pennsylvania’s bountiful outdoors when Hiking Week 2014 begins on May 24, offering participants a variety of organized hikes across the state.

“Pennsylvania Hiking Week is a great time to explore the commonwealth’s numerous hiking trails,” said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Ellen Ferretti.  “Whether you like to hike alone or with a group, spring is a beautiful time of year in Penn’s Woods.

“The ‘welcome mat’ is out to novices and trail-hardened veterans alike, inviting them to hike in our state parks, forests and municipal greenways in this annual salute to healthy exercise and the serenity of those very special outdoor places,” Ferretti said.

For the 13th year, Pennsylvania Hiking Week is co-sponsored by DCNR and the Keystone Trails Association.  The nine-day week, offering close to 100 organized hikes, concludes June 1.

Special events planned by DCNR and the Keystone Trails Association will take place in parks, forests, cities and towns across the state. All of the scheduled hikes have leaders and include a variety of lengths and terrain -- from easy strolls along urban greenways to strenuous treks in some of Pennsylvania’s rugged mountain areas.

Special hikes include night hikes and wildflower, pet and geology walks.

To see a list of hikes, or submit a Hiking Week event, visit the Explore PA Trails website.

Organized in 1956, KTA is an umbrella organization made up of 44 hiking and outdoors organizations in and around Pennsylvania. For more information visit the Keystone Trail Association website. 

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