The PA Capital Region

Schedule of Hikes and

Activities - Open to All!

Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club (SATC), together with the Cumberland Valley Appalachian Trail Club (CVATC) presents the Capital Region Hiking Program which offers about 100 group hikes each year. (Not all are listed on this web site.)
For each event, a volunteer hike leader will share one of the Harrisburg area's footpaths with you.
Scroll down this page to see the current calendar of hikes.

You need not be a member to hike with us. Try it and if you like it, we hope you’ll consider becoming a member. See you on the trail!

PA Capital Region Hiking and Activity Schedule | Scheduled Trail Maintenance Events
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Capital Region Group Hike Guidelines

In order to provide a safe, enjoyable, experience for all, over more than 70 years of combined existence our Clubs have evolved a few simple guidelines for participants in its group hikes. These are:

Meeting: Unless otherwise noted in the hike schedule, all hikes on weekends and holidays leave from entrance to the State Library, beside Fisher Plaza, behind the State Capitol Building, in center city Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Click for a PDF (350K) or JPEG (600K) version of a map showing where Capital Region hikes meet.
Should the street in front of the entrance to the State Library be closed, the alternate meeting site is the parking island in front of the East Gate Office Center on 7^th Street, opposite the Herr Street underpass. Five additional minutes will be allowed at the alternate site.
Greeting: At the beginning of each group hike, each participant is invited to join in a circle and say your name. You can use your first name, or not "circle," if you prefer.
Registration: All hikers are encouraged to register with the hike leader at the hike meeting point or at the trailhead before starting any scheduled hike. You can preview the registration form and its disclaimer here.
Pre-registration: For safety reasons with all D and E terrain rated hikes, and all hikes over 10 miles, please register with the hike leader before arriving at the meeting location unless the leader has hiked with you previously and knows your abilities. (Accordingly, the times and/or meeting points for these hikes might not be posted on this web site.)
Transportation: If you ride with someone, you should give the driver 10 cents times the highway mileage shown in the hike schedule to help defray the costs of transportation.
Pets: No pets are allowed on hikes or at other activities.
Leave No Trace: If you carry it in on an Capital Region group hike, please carry it out.
Smoking: NO smoking is permitted.
On the trail: We request that hikers stay between the leader and the "sweep." If you suddenly leave the hiking group without telling either the leader or the sweep, we will try to find you, possibly including calling authorities for search-and-rescue operations. If the volunteer hike leader is going too fast or otherwise not meeting your expectations, don't suffer in silence, but tell the leader in private.

We want the hike experience to be fun for you, and everyone else!

What are these letters and numbers in the hike listing?

Click here for the hike codes.

Where are these hikes?

Good question! If you're not from the area, or not familiar with the trails, click here for a comprehensive introduction to hiking near Harrisburg. To get you started on finding the trail we're going to, the county the hike is located in is noted in these hike listings.

2010

June 19, Saturday, 10:30 AM
Darlington Trail Loop
P: Moderate T: Rugged L: 7.3, 0 hwy miles (Perry/Cumberland Cos.)

Hike the Darlington Trail to Millers Gap Road then across State Game Land to Idle Road, and back up to Lambs Gap Road.
MEET ONLY at the Lambs Gap Road Parking Lot for the Darlington Trail. Call Fran for directions.
Leaders: Fran Theis, 761-0176, C-576-4295, ftheis@reynoldsconstruction.com, Lee Casher, 652-3906, xrsizer41@hotmail.com

June 20, Sunday, 9:00 AM
Hike to Rocky Knob
P: Moderate T: Rugged L: 8, 40 hwy miles

MEET ONLY at the Sovereign Bank in the Camp Hill Shopping Center.
Leaders: Sam and Barb Harvey, 766-7868

June 21, Monday, 10:00 AM
Wildwood Mid-Week Hike
P: Leisurely T: Easy L: 3, 0 hwy miles (Dauphin County)

Easy loop hike.
MEET at Olewine Nature Center.
Leader: Susanne Donmoyer, 545-5308

June 26, Saturday, 8:00 AM
A.T. Hike Across PA - Hawk Mountain Road to PA 309
P: Moderate T: Rugged L: 11.6, 140 hwy miles (Berks/Schuylkill/Lehigh Cos.) (Changed rating from Bushwack Bulletin)

All day hike. Some climbs/descents; rocky in some areas.
MEET ONLY at the Camp Hill Shopping Mall near the Sovereign Bank in front of Boscov's.
Leader: Craig Barnhart, 761-6864, craigbarnhart@verizon.net

June 26th, Saturday
SATC Day at Pine Grove Furnace State Park
When and where does it meet? Contact the leader to find out!

The CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA CONSERVANCY needs help now to preserve the IRON MASTER'S MANSION. Join SATC members for a half-day work trip to remove overgrowth of weeds and brush, free lunch, a tour of the new A.T. MUSEUM, and a short hike in the Park.
Must pre-register so we can have an accurate head count for the lunch. Will finish in time for the Cumberland Valley Night Hike.
Leader: Karen Balaban, KMBalaban@BalabanLLC.com, 717 232-3708

June 26, Saturday, 8:00 PM
Cumberland Valley Night Hike
P: Brisk T: Easy L: 11.6, 15 hwy miles (Cumberland County)

Experience the charm of the Trail after dark! Hike by the light of the full moon across the Cumberland Valley through a scenic mix of woods and fields on the AT from Sherwood Drive to Boiling Springs. Bring a small flashlight, but moonlight is enough to see by in many places.
MEET ONLY at the Historical Iron Works parking lot on Bucher Hill Road in Boiling Springs.
Leader: Rob Shaw, 350-5120, jake17011@yahoo.com

June 30, Wednesday, 5:30 PM
Boyd Big Tree After Work
P: Moderate T: Easy L: 3.5, 0 hwy miles (Dauphin County)

Enjoy an after work, week day mini vacation! Hike the Janie Trail Loop.
MEET at Lee's: 308 Saddle Ridge Ct, Harrisburg. Call for directions and parking.
Leaders: Lee Casher, 652-3906, xrsizer41@hotmail.com; Fran Theis, 761-0176, ftheis@reynoldsconstruction.com

July 8, Thursday, 10:00 AM
Wildwood Mid-Week Hike
P: Leisurely T: Easy L: 3, 0 hwy miles (Dauphin County)

Easy loop hike.
MEET at Olewine Nature Center.
Leader: Susanne Donmoyer, 545-5308

July 10, Saturday, 8:00 AM
A.T. Hike Across PA - PA 309 to Ashfield Road
P: Moderate T: Rugged L: 8.3, 190 hwy miles (Schuylkill/Lehigh/Carbon Cos.)

All day hike. Some climbs/descents.
MEET at the Camp Hill Shopping Mall near the Sovereign Bank in front of Boscov's.
Leader: Tara Shade, 319-6975, tjshade23@yahoo.com

July 10, Saturday, 10:30 AM
Carlisle History Hike/Historical Society/Museum Tour
P: Leisurely T: Paved L: 1-2 (Cumberland County)

Walking tour of Carlisle Square, Dickinson College Campus. Focus on people and events. Visit fabulous new Cumberland County Historical Society Museum (free). Lunch at Belgian Cafe Bruqes for waffles (and beer).
Reservations required.
Where does the hike meet? Contact the leader to find out!
Leader: Mikki Williams, 245-2321

July 11, Sunday, 1:00 PM
Conoy Canal
P: Moderate T: Easy L: 5, 20 hwy miles (Lancaster County)

Hike on historic towpath from Falmouth to Bainbridge and return.
Leader: Susanne Donmoyer, 545-5308

July 15, Thursday, 6:30 PM
Two Bridges Ice Cream Hike
P: Leisurely T: Paved L: 2, 0 hwy miles (Dauphin/Cumberland Cos.)

Good for families/strollers.
MEET on City Island near Walnut St bridge.
Leaders: Rick and Louise Sis, 774-0196

July 18, Sunday, 8:30 AM
Kopenhaver Trail at Pine Grove Furnace State Park
P: Leisurely T: Easy L: 3, 36 hwy miles (Cumberland County)

Fairly flat trail through mature woods on hard packed dirt, trail partially follows a babbling brook. Good for beginners. Bring lunch and water.
In Addition: Visit the NEW A.T. Museum at the park after the hike, note there may be a nominal fee, and another short hike will be offered after that for those who are interested.
MEET at the Camp Hill Shopping Mall near the Sovereign Bank in front of Boscov's.
Leaders: Rick and Louise Sis, 774-0196

July 24, Saturday, 8:00 AM
A.T. Hike Across PA - Ashfield Road to Little Gap
P: Moderate T: Strenuous to Extremely Difficult L: 10, 200 hwy miles (Carbon/Lehigh/Northampton Cos.)

A rugged part of the AT with steep climbs down and up, rocks and areas made barren by past air pollution. Bring lunch and plenty of water (at least 2 quarts per person).
MEET at northeast corner of Holiday Inn Motel parking lot, Exit 80 (Grantville) of I-81.
Leaders: Frank Bohn 234-5169; John O’Day 939-0954 (H), 507-6399 (C), jwoday@hotmail.com

August 7/8, Saturday/Sunday, 8:00 AM
A.T. Hike Across PA - Little Gap, Danielsville to Smith Gap Road and/or Smith Gap Road to PA 33 (Overnight)
P: Moderate T: Rugged L: 7.3/8.1, 220+20 hwy miles (Northampton/Carbon/Monroe Cos.)

BACKPACKING or two day hikes. For those hikers who want to stay in a hotel or camp instead of backpack, we are suggesting 2 options: (1) camping at a campground near Smith Gap or (2) staying at a hotel in Wind Gap, PA.
Please contact Tom Wright tjwright@embarqmail.com (717-532-7326) for more information if you plan on doing one of these 2 options. Call or email Tom before July 1. He will have the campground and motel block a number of campsites or rooms until July 1 so that you can make your own reservations. He will also provide directions to the starting and ending points of the hikes so that shuttles can be coordinated.
Leaders: Laura Rhoads, 566-4313, lrhoadszoom@gmail.comand Tara Shade 319-6975, tjshade23@yahoo.com

August 11, Wednesday, 10:00 AM
Wildwood Mid-Week Hike
P: Leisurely T: Easy L: 3, 0 hwy miles (Dauphin County)

Easy loop hike.
MEET at Olewine Nature Center.
Leader: Susanne Donmoyer, 545-5308

August 14, Saturday, 9:00 AM
Appalachian Trail, Yellow Breeches to Conodoguinet
P: Moderate T: Easy L: 11, 40 hwy miles (Cumberland County)

All-day hike. Bring lunch and water.
MEET at Carlisle Commons in Carlisle, PA near Cinemas 8 movie theaters. I-81 Exit 47, PA-34 North. Go north on Route 34 to the traffic light at Noble Blvd and turn left. Proceed to the second stop sign. Turn left into the mall parking lot. Meeting place is between the theaters and Noble Blvd.
Leader: Frank Bohn, 234-5169

Work location to be determined by leader. Bring lunch & plenty of water. Wear old clothes and boots. Tools and safety gear provided.
MEET at Funck's Family Restaurant (rear parking area) in Indiantown Gap (exit 85, I-81). We will drive to nearby Memorial Lake SP and carpool to the trail.
Leader: Jeff Buehler, 657-8281, AThikerJB@aol.com

August 22, Sunday, 1:00 PM
Peters Mountain Shelter
P: Moderate T: Rugged L: 6, 20 hwy miles (Dauphin County)

Hike on the A.T. to the SATC club shelter and return.
Leader: Susanne Donmoyer, 545-5308

September 11
Susquehanna Super Hike
(Lancaster/York Counties)
Registration opens in February.

Join the Keystone Trails Association for the second annual Susquehanna Super Hike, a 26-mile trail challenge in the lower Susquehanna Gorge of South Central Pennsylvania. Trail runners and hikers will battle over 4,200’ elevation gain along the course’s steep hills, rugged terrain and deep ravines. The course features spectacular river views including Urey Overlook, House Rock Vista and Pinnacle Overlook, scenic hollows like Oakland Run, Tucquan Glen and Kelly’s Run, and Wind Cave, one of the largest tectonic caves in the Eastern U.S.

Following a ½ hour social time with refreshments, we will review Club activities, and enjoy our presentation.
LOCATION: Giant Foods grocery store, 3301 Trindle Road, Camp Hill - meet in 2nd floor Community Center, stairs far left of the doors, past the cafe.

There is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing!!
(Click here for ideas on what to wear...)

Pennsylvania sells about a million hunting licenses each year. Hikers NEED to know when their armed companions take to the woods.

We recommend wearing a blaze orange cap or vest each year from the last weekend of April through Memorial Day Monday, and from the first weekend of October through the end of January.

In turkey seasons DO NOT wear red, blue, black or white. These are the head colors of a male
wild turkey. AVOID wearing a red or blue handkerchief, and blue jeans.

Strongly consider avoiding woods hiking altogether, from the Monday before Thanksgiving through the first two weeks of December.

It is THE LAW (scroll down to Section (c)21) to wear blaze orange on State Game Lands (the Darlington, Appalachian, and many other trails pass through State Game Lands) from November 15 through December 15.

Why not JOIN CVATC or SATC for pennies per day
to get the most complete hiking and trail work information in the Capital Region, in your own mailbox every quarter?