HARRISBURG – Urging Pennsylvanians to embrace healthy lifestyles while enjoying the outdoors, organizers of Hiking Week 2009 are offering participants a chance to pick their path and pace in at least 100 hikes when the statewide event begins Saturday, May 23.
“Hiking enthusiasts across the state, especially the co-sponsoring Keystone Trails Association and our bureaus of state parks and forestry, have teamed up to meet this increasingly popular event’s 100-hike goal,” said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources acting Secretary John Quigley. “Together, they’ll be offering a wealth of healthy activities for people of all ages and abilities.
“We hope to draw novices and trail-hardened veterans alike into our state parks, forests and municipal greenways in this annual salute to healthy exercise and the serenity of those very special places found outdoors,” Quigley said.
The eighth annual, nine-day Hiking Week concludes May 31. The co-sponsoring trail association and DCNR invited suggestions for hikes that could be added to this year’s schedule.
“The allure of these hikes for beginners and others is that they are guided hikes, so you will be under the good care of a local hiker who knows the trail and can point out items of interest,” said Curt Ashenfelter, executive director of the Keystone Trails Association. “Additionally, if you are new to hiking, this week also offers an easy way to participate by identifying trail heads where you can park your car and hike safely with a group.”
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; wildflower walks; hikes for people with disabilities; pet walks; geology walks and more.
A list of hikes already planned and listed by date and location can be found online. For Hiking Week details and schedules, as well as information on hiking clubs across the state, visit here.
Organized in 1956, KTA is an 1,100-member umbrella organization made up of 50 hiking and outdoors organizations in and around Pennsylvania.