New and experienced hikers can again pick their pace and path through Pennsylvania's bountiful outdoors in more than 50 hikes planned across the state during Hiking Week 2017.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn Thursday announced that DCNR is partnering with the Keystone Trails Association to offer guided hikes across the state during the week starting May 25.  A calendar of hikes can be found at the Explore PA Trails website.

Dunn urged Pennsylvanians to embrace healthy lifestyles while enjoying the outdoors during the annual Hiking Week, which extends through June 2.

"Hiking is easy and inexpensive, so we urge all to grab comfortable shoes, some water and take advantage of the Memorial Day holiday weekend to get in a hike or two," Dunn said. "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 our special outdoors places."

Dunn noted guided hikes offer a great opportunity for non-hikers to learn the skills necessary for a safe day outdoors.

"The Keystone Trails Association once again is partnering with DCNR to encourage Pennsylvanians to lace up their hiking boots or slip on their trail runners and hit the trail," urged Keystone Trails Association Executive Director Joseph Neville. "It is time to get outdoors during PA Hiking Week and create memories you'll cherish, while sustaining a healthy lifestyle, and exploring our incredible parks and forests."

Special events planned by DCNR and the KTA will take place in parks, forests, cities and towns across the state. All the scheduled hikes have leaders and include a variety of lengths and terrain. Special hikes include wildflower walks; hikes to show appreciation for veterans; and pet and geology walks.

Dunn and others will honor the Montour Trail as Trail of the Year for 2017 in an Allegheny County event to be hosted by the Montour Trail Council. Beginning at 10 a.m. June 1, the event also will include a dedication for the new Library Viaduct and a groundbreaking for a new segment in South Park Township.

Pennsylvania's statewide outdoor recreation plan identifies walking for pleasure or fitness as the most popular outdoor recreation activity in Pennsylvania. The plan seeks to eventually offer a traill within 15 minutes of every Pennsylvanian.

Organized in 1956, the Keystone Trails Association is a 1,306-member umbrella organization made up of 44 hiking and outdoors organizations in and around Pennsylvania.

For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website, Click Here to sign up for the Resource newsletter,  Click Here for upcoming events.  Click Here to be part of DCNR’s Online Community,  Click Here to hook up with DCNR on other social media-- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.

(Photo: Montour Trail in Allegheny and Washington counties.)

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[Posted: May 25, 2017]

5/29/2017