Backpacker Magazine: Pennsylvania: Backpacking and Camping Trips, Hikes, Adventures, Topo Maps, Aerial Photos.

Appalachian Trail: PA 225 to PA 325

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
Cut out a monster climb by hiking this 9.7-mile section south-to-north along Peters Mountain to two scenic outposts: Table Rock and Shikellimy Overlook.

Pittsburgh, PA: North Park Bridle Trail

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
This 5.8-miler in Allegheny County's sprawling North Park visits maple and oak forests, babbling creeks, and a scenic overlook.

Appalacian Trail: Pine Grove Furnace State Park to PA 94

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
Quickly climb to the mostly wooded spine of Piney Mountain, go 5 miles, then descend the gap into Toland and climb again on this 10.4-mile section. Tip: Don’t miss the Half-Gallon Challenge at Pine Grove Furnace General Store.

Appalachian Trail: PA 850 to Clarks Ferry Bridge

BACKPACKER Review
This 10.4-miler climbs weathered mountain ridges to several rocky overlooks then ends on the banks of the Susquehanna River, the longest river on the East Coast.

Appalachian Trail: PA 645 to PA 183

BACKPACKER Review
Save this 11-miler for leaf-peeper season when the hills are brushed in reds and browns. Don’t miss the incredible overlook at milepoint 1.9.

Philadelphia: Mt. Minsi via the AT

BACKPACKER Review
Wander through white pine, Eastern hemlock, and mountain lauren to the summit of Mt. Minsi on this 4.2-mile out-and-back sprinkled with lovely mountain overlooks.

Pennsylvania - AT Loop from Swatara Gap South

Loop starting from Swatara Gap, following AT for ~ 7 miles South and returning using unmarked trails and rods to start. Some bushwhacking GPS guidance required

Swatara Gap Loop - using old AT trail

Loop using old AT; followed Garmin trail resulting in doing some bush walking and following old logging roads

Harrisburg, PA: Sunset Rocks via Appalachian Trail

Hop on the Appalachian Trail at its halfway point and navigate creek crossings and a steep boulder scramble to above-the-trees vistas of Michaux State Forest.

Wolf Rocks

This is a short 4.3 mile dayhike that includes a 180-degree panorama view above Linn Run.

Ricketts Glen (Kim)

Black Forest Trail

The Black Forest Trail

Top 3 Battlefield Hikes

BACKPACKER Review
Close your eyes and hear the bullets fly: These three routes pass through parks drenched in United States military history.

Undiscovered Hikes: 19 New Trails

BACKPACKER Review
Hike these paths before the masses find them.

Rip & Go: Pennsylvania's Appalachian Trail - From Wind Gap to Delaware Water Gap

BACKPACKER Review
Trek to the New Jersey border along PA's finest section of the AT.

Hike It, Save It: Chestnut Ridge and Tracy Ridge, Pennsylvania

BACKPACKER Review
Oil drilling and vacation homes threaten on of the last Chestnut tree bastions, a 5,191-acre proposed Wilderness Area in the Allegheny National Forest.

Hikes and Trips in US Cities

BACKPACKER Review
Use our comprehensive city-specific pages to find hikes near your hometown or in a city you're planning to visit.

American Classic: Hiking the Appalachian Trail

BACKPACKER Review
In this ultimate guide to the country's favorite footpath, you'll find our picks for the best hiking and camping, and a complete plan for thru-hikers. Plus, meet a man who has made it his job to help AT hikers.

AT Nature Photo Gallery

AT Shelter Photo Gallery

AT Panoramic Photo Gallery

AT Culture Photo Gallery

AT Interview: Correspondent Jeff Chow

BACKPACKER Video
Jeff Chow spent 10 months mapping every mile of the AT for BACKPACKER. Learn about his favorite spots and hard-earned tips here.

Share your tales of travel & adventure with our step-by-step guide. Upload trail descriptions, photos, video, and more.

Photos + Videos

Gear Lab: Boots Torture Test Can any hiking boot survive 15 minutes in a cement mixer filled with rocks, sticks, dirt, and bricks? Gear Lab aims to find out.	Gear Lab: Tents Torture Test Who wants a mountain tent that buckles under pressure? Not us--so we blasted four top tents with a carwash pressure washer to see which one comes out on top.