Enjoy the scenery, get in touch with nature, make new acquaintances and burn a few hundred calories. The diverse terrain of Pennsylvania and Maryland presents many options to hikers of any experience level. Hiking clubs offer social, aesthetic and physical activity at minimal expense. Walks, day hikes and long-distance excursions are scheduled year-round.
Membership
Individual club memberships ranging from $15 to $40 per year are not required for participation in organized hikes. The Mountain Club of Maryland does charge a guest fee and you need to register in advance for your trips. The Wanderbirds Hiking Club has established fees for bus fares and car pools to the trail head.
Trails
The Great Allegheny Passage connects Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Cumberland, Maryland. In 2006, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal towpath was joined with the Cumberland and Pittsburgh Trail which extended the trail to Washington, D.C., for a total of 320 miles.
The National Appalachian Scenic Trail stretches 2,175 miles from Mount Katahdin in Maine to Georgia's Springer Mountain through 14 states, including Pennsylvania and Maryland. Through cooperation from the National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, Appalachian Trail Conservancy and thousands of maintenance volunteers, the trail is enjoyed by an estimated 4 million hikers each year.
Hikes also encompass trails and paths located in local, state and national parks in Virginia, West Virginia, New Jersey and Delaware.
Volunteerism
The hiking clubs in Pennsylvania and Maryland are dedicated to the preservation and maintenance of the local trails including the Appalachian Trail. They subscribe to the ethics of the program, "Leave No Trace." You may volunteer for work committees to clear storm damage and deadfall, repair eroded footpaths, maintain trails, perform clean-ups and attend educational workshops.
Events
Hikes are classified according to pace, length and terrain. You will discover adventures available for hikers of any age group from beginners to experienced. The Susquehanna Appalachian Club, Mountain Club of Maryland and Delaware Valley Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club provide online newsletters and magazines to their members. The schedule of events is updated regularly on their websites.
Attire
In the hills and mountains of Pennsylvania and Maryland, the temperatures can fluctuate considerably from the valleys to the mountain tops. You can be prepared by dressing in layers or packing a day pack with extra clothing. For your safety, orange reflective vests or outerwear is recommended. Hiking boots are not required, but should be considered. Well-fitted, sturdy, boots provide ankle support, have thicker soles for rocky terrain and should be waterproof.
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