Allegheny National Forest Hiking Weekend August 16–18, 2024 (Fri-Sun) A long-standing tradition, KTA's ANF Hiking Weekend is great for hikers looking for a laid-back weekend with friends (or friends-to-be). Explore the beautiful forests on guided group hikes during the day. Then enjoy relaxing evenings around a bonfire, attend a special guest presentation, or head into town for a night out! Join the Waitlist for Allegheny National Forest Weekend KTA WEBINAR SERIES: LATINO CONSERVATION WEEK! August 27, 2024 (Tue) 6:00 PM Join KTA for a webinar on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 6:00 pm with special guests Jessica Godinez & Norma Chairez-Hartell from the Hispanic Access Foundation. During the webinar, you will learn more about Latino Conservation Week and how to get involved in Pennsylvania! Registration is free but required! Register Now > Trail Challenge 25K Hike/Run September 7, 2024 (Sat.) | Lower Susquehanna Gorge Challenge yourself to complete these arduous miles of steep climbs and rocky terrain punctuated with fantastic vistas and scenic forest hollows. The course is great for both trail runners pushing for their best times on rugged trails and hikers aiming to complete the strenuous challenge before the evening finish cutoff. Register Now > KTA Primitive Slackpack September 13-15th | Loyalsock Trail - Eastern Section Bucolic Worlds End State Park will be the base for group camping and breakfast & dinners prepared by KTA. Each day, slackpackers are shuttled to and from the trail to traverse 6.5, 7.6, and 5.6 miles respectively, carrying ample water and packed lunches. The heavy stuff (e.g tents, sleeping bags, etc.) remains at the campground. This supported expedition is a great way to experience nearly 20 miles of an awe inspiring trail. The registration fee includes three days of guided hikes, shuttles to and from the campsite and trail, and two breakfasts, two dinners, and two lunches. Participants bring their own tent, camping gear, and day one lunch. A full "what to bring" list will be provided to registrants. Optional round-trip transportation from Harrisburg is available for an increased fee. Participants will meet at either the Dauphin Park and Ride lot or the Worlds End State Park office. Cost: KTA Members $179.00 with shuttle from Harrisburg, $139.00 meeting at Worlds End. Non-Members: $199.00 with shuttle from Harrisburg. $159.00 meeting at Worlds End Register Now! KTA : PATC WEBINAR September 24, 2024 (Tue) 6:00 PM The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect and preserve trails throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, while increasing accessibility to the outdoors for all. Join KTA and PATC to learn about opportunities to get involved, including volunteering, trail maintenance workshops, group hikes, cabin stays, and upcoming events. Registration is free but required! Register Now > Keystone Hiking and Outdoor Weekend October 18-20 (Fri-Sun) | Susquehanna Riverlands Explore the Susquehanna Riverlands through a create-your-own-experience-style weekend! Choose from events hosted by community and outdoor-related organizations to highlight the natural recreational assets of the region. We will have guided adventures, educational opportunities, and stewardship activities. Learn More > Wilderness Advanced First Aid November 7-10th| Camp Hebron, Halifax, PA This November KTA offers a four-day Wilderness Advanced First Aid class sanctioned by Wilderness Medical Associates (WMA). According to WMA, "Wilderness Advanced First Aid is the perfect entry-level course for outdoor adventurers and outdoor professionals who may need to provide patient care when help is delayed for hours to days. The course focuses on basic lifesaving skills, patient assessment, field care for common injuries and illnesses, environmental illnesses, and proper reporting for rescue assistance." Wilderness Advanced First Aid provides invaluable confidence and medical skills to anyone who spends time in the outdoors or leads group activities in outdoor settings. The course includes expert instruction, course materials, coffee & continental breakfast daily, and lunch daily. Class will run from approximately 8:00 am- 5/5:30 pm. Lodging may be available upon request with Camp Hebron at extra cost. Participants will be expected to set up an account and view course information at a WMA website prior to attending the course (KTA will send details to registrants). Cost: $375 - KTA Volunteers $400 - KTA Members and member organizations $425 - General Public/Non-Members "A limited number of partial scholarships may be available. If interested, please contact KTA" Register Here! Pennsylvania Hiking Club Symposium November 16th (Sat) | SAVE THE DATE The Keystone Trails Association's Hiking Club Symposium is an event that promises a day of fun, learning, and camaraderie for Pennsylvania Hiking Clubs and partners. Virgin Islands National Park Hiking & Eco Adventure| KTA International Trip Fundraiser January 19-26, 2025| SAVE THE DATE Experience American paradise with KTA! Traverse the many trails in this U.S. national park spanning two thirds of the island of St. John. Explore stunning beaches, exceptional vistas, historic ruins, diverse terrain, and unique ecosystems. Swim or snorkel through sapphire waters and across the coral reefs fringing this natural wonderland. The trip includes roundtrip flights from Harrisburg, seven night’s lodging, all ground transportation, guided daily hikes, ferry service between St. Thomas and St. John, and a farewell dinner the last night of the journey. Accommodations are treehouse-like cottages at Concordia Eco Resort, founded by a pioneer of sustainable tourism. The cottages have kitchen amenities so meals can be prepared on your own or visit the on-site restaurant. Registration opens August 1. Price: $3,549.00 (double occupancy only Spring Hiking Weekend April 25-27, 2025 | SAVE THE DATE |
KTA Trail Care Events
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Ongoing Events and Programs
100-Mile Trail ChallengeThe annual 100-Mile Trail Challenge recognizes hikers that complete 100 miles or more of eligible Pennsylvania hiking trails between September 1 and August 31. Participants are encouraged to collect sponsorships to raise $1 per mile.
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Kids Trail Ambassador ProgramAt KTA’s booth at the Wildwood Park Wetlands Festival on April 25, 2015, in Harrisburg, we launched a new program aimed at engaging youth in hiking and the outdoors: the KTA Kids Trail Ambassador Program.
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Past Programs and Events
Education and Outreach
Trail Care 101: WorkshopKTA hosted the first ever Trail Care 101 at Whipple Dam State Park. The workshop was designed to prepare participants that want to try Trail Care, but might not have Trail Care background.
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Backpacking 101 WorkshopA two part series enabling day hikers to take the next step into the world of backpacking in Penn’s Woods.
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Excursions
KTA hosted a hiking experience like no other. Hikers explored the history, culture, and beauty, both natural and man-made, of Philadelphia.
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What better way to end a day of hiking than trying some fabulous local breweries? KTA hosted a weekend to see all the hidden gems Cumberland Valley has to offer.
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Join KTA in Pennsylvania's only National Forest, stay in the beautiful Groves Lodge, and experience one of a kind hiking opportunities.
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The Keystone Trails Association was scheduled to host the 15th Annual Prowl the Sproul Hiking Weekend from July 27 to July 29, 2018 in the beautiful Sproul State Forest of western Clinton County.
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KTA hosted a weekend to explore Tiadaghton State Forest.
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October 4th-6th
See the majestic PA elk up close! |
Slackpacks
The AFT is a 41.75 mile loop trail through Moshannon State Forest that roughly encircles Black Moshannon State Park. The trail provides a wide variety of forest environments, including views over valleys to the east, trout streams, and marshlands.
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Old Loggers Path is a 28 mile backpacking trail that follows former railroad grades, logging roads, bark trails, and other remnants of old industrial transportation, hence the name. The trail takes advantage of the engineering expertise of the early logging railroaders by following the moderate grades up and down the rugged landscape.
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KTA Hiking Weekends
What is a KTA Hiking Weekend?
We organize a weekend from breakfast to bonfire, introduce trails to anyone who’s interested but isn’t sure how to start hiking, introduce new trails to anyone who thinks they’ve hiked them all, and everyone in between.
Spring Hiking Weekend2019 - Camp Ladore
2021 - Wellsboro 2022 - Carlisle |
Fall Hiking Weekend2019 - State College
2020 - Chambersburg 2021 - Lock Haven 2022 - Lewisburg |
Water Trails
Allegheny River Canoe/Camping TripThis journey takes you 31 miles down the Allegheny River. Start from historic downtown Warren, encounter all seven of the federally protected Wilderness Islands, large swaths of the Allegheny National Forest and float past the town of Tidioute.
Our overnight camping adventure, featuring professional and knowledgeable guides, includes all paddling equipment, and are suitable for novice and experienced paddlers alike! |
Susquehanna River Day TripKTA takes to the trails – Water trails this is! Our day long adventures, featuring professional and knowledgeable guides, include all paddling equipment, and are suitable for novice and experienced paddlers alike!.
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