Saturday is National Trails Day, an event the local Chester County Trail Club will celebrate with three hikes in the county.
The group plans an 11 to 13-mile hike at Valley Forge; a seven-mile trek at Glen Onoko Falls; and a six-mile hike at Willisbrook Preserve.
“We have a very active hiking club, membership 426,” said Elizabeth Brecht, club spokesperson. “At this moment we have a dozen or so hikers about to return from North Carolina where they have been hiking the Appalachian Trail for the past week.”
The club was formed by outdoor enthusiasts in 1970 to promote the enjoyment and fellowship of hiking and outdoor activities. The diverse group also helps maintain and protect public trails. New hikers are welcome, and a schedule of events is on the group’s web site at www.cctrailclub.org
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Ellen Ferretti is inviting all Pennsylvanians to discover, celebrate and learn about trails throughout the state on National Trails Day, June 7.
“From Philadelphia to Erie and all points in-between, Pennsylvania has thousands of miles of trails available to connect citizens with the wonders of the outdoors,” said Ferretti. “These trails, built through partnerships with local communities and stakeholders, offer opportunities for fitness and stewardship, and they connect natural resources to community revitalization.”
This year, Pennsylvania named a Trail of the Year – Redbank Valley Trails through Armstrong, Clarion and Jefferson counties. DCNR created a commemorative poster for the trail, which may be ordered here.
Pennsylvania has a trails website: at www.ExplorePAtrails.com. Listed on the site’s calendar are events and activities that will recognize National Trails Day. There are more than 10,900 miles of trailed mapped on the web site.
