An Outdoors Guide to Pennsylvania

Five reasons to love PA: 1) The Appalachian Trail snakes for 229 miles from Pen Mar to Delaware Water Gap. 2) Lehigh Valley is home to world-class velodrome racing, Bicycling magazine, and awesome cycling roads. 3) Thousands of hawks and eagles migrate across the state’s pale blue skies every fall. 4) PA has its very own Grand Canyon. 5) Rickets Glen State Park features the best waterfall hike in the Northeast. Get the details on each below, plus TK more trips.

#1: Harrisburg: Sunset Rocks via Appalachian Trail (Hiking)
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.



#2: West Chester: Creeks and Horses Recovery Ride (Road Biking)
The perfect recovery ride: This easy-going, 45-mile loop near West Chester features meandering creeks, lush woods, and horse-filled pastures.



#3: Weiser State Forest Haldeman Tract Iron Mine/Deep Hollow/Rock's Ridge Trails (Hiking)
This loop hike traverses about 6 wooded miles in the Weiser State Forest in south central Pennsylvania (Dauphin County). An elevation gain of about 800 feet at the beginning of the route rewards hikers with fabulous views of the Appalachian Ridge and Valley region and distant peeks at the Susquehanna River Valley.



#4: Mount Minsi (Hiking)
Geology and rhododendrons star in this 4.2-mile loop up Mount Minsi, Pa.



#5: Allentown: Hawk Mountain (Hiking)
After hiking past boulder fields, this 4.7-mile loop climbs up the spine of Hawk Mountain and stops at overlooks perfect for scoping hawk migrations.



#6: Appalachian Trail: Lehigh Gap to Wind Gap (Hiking)
This 19.4-miler is a test in balance and nerve as you pick routes through mind-numbing boulder fields. The payoffs are scenic ridges with 180-degree views and toned calf muscles.



#7: Philadelphia - Falls Trail Loop (Hiking)
Pass 21 waterfalls on this 6.2-mile, five-star loop through a wrinkled ravine and tranquil forest in Ricketts Glen State Park.

#8: West Rim Trail (Hiking)
The West Rim Trail is a 30 mile long hiking trail located adjacent to the western rim of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.

#9: Emmaus: Powder Valley (Road Biking)
This rolling 21-mile hike is local favorite among BICYCLING editors and racers.