1. Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Length: Approx. 230 miles in PA
Skill level: Easy to Strenuous
Trail type: Point-to-point
Description: The Appalachian Trail (AT) is a continuous, marked footpath extending along the Appalachian Mountain system for more than 2,100 miles between Katahdin, a granite monolith in the central Maine wilderness, and Springer Mountain in Georgia. From the south the AT enters Pennsylvania near Pen Mar in Franklin County, proceeds generally northward for about 85 miles, crosses the Susquehanna River north of Harrisburg, then heads east toward New Jersey, leaving Pennsylvania near Delaware Water Gap. The trail is marked with white blazes.
Books/Trail Guide:
Appalachian Trail Map Set for Pennsylvania

2. North Country National Scenic Trail

Length: 180 total miles
Skill level: Easy to Strenuous
Trail type: Point-to-point
Description: The North Country National Scenic Trail is a premier footpath that one day will stretch more than 4,000 miles to link communities and wilderness areas across seven northern states. Already, more than 1,600 miles have been completed. Pennsylvania plays host to 180 miles of the trail. Once the hiker crosses into Pennsylvania, there are still 104 miles of the first largely completed segment ahead. The initial 95 miles of the North Country Trail meanders through the rolling hills and stream valleys of the Allegheny National Forest. Marked with white paint blazes and routed wooden signs, this northwestern Pennsylvania trail is one of the more established along the route of the NCT. Snuggled in rugged plateau country, the forest's rolling, sometimes steep topography, cut deeply by hundreds of miles of creeks and streams, boasts elevations ranging from 1,000 to 2,300 feet. The NCT passes through some unique old growth forests, the 4,080 acre Tionesta Natural and Scenic Area, and the 120 acre Heart's Content Scenic Area, boasting 300-year-old white pine.

3. Laurel Highlands National Scenic Trail

Length: 70 total miles
Skill level: Easy to strenuous
Trail type: Point-to-point
Description: The Laurel Highlands Trail extends for 70 miles from the 1000 foot deep Conemaugh Gorge near Johnstown to the rugged and pictureseque Youghiogheny River Gorge at Ohiopyle State Park east of Uniontown. There are eight overnight areas, each which contains five shelters, tent pads, two comfort stations and a source of water. These overnight area are not located directly on the trail, but are set back off the trail to retain a wilderness atmosphere. Each shelter is large enough to accommodate 6 people. The overnight areas are situated 8 to 10 miles apart on the trail. Reservations for these shelters are required. A fee is required for reservations. The Laurel Highlands trail is blazed every 100 feet with 2"x5" yellow paint blazes. Large wood signs mark access points. There are mileage monuments on the trail every mile.
Books/Trail Guide:
A Hiker's Guide to the Laurel Highlands Trail

4. Black Forest Trail

Length: 42.1 total miles
Skill level: Moderate to Strenuous
Trail type: Loop
Description: The Black Forest Trail is a 42.1 mile loop trail in the northwest corner of Lycoming County near the village of Slate Run, PA. Slate Run is located along Pine Creek on highway 414, 27 miles north of Jersey Shore, PA. The trail starts and finishes in a pine plantation 0.8 mile from the Slate Run Village on the State forestry road. The foresty road leave Route 414 in a westerly direction. The name Black Forest was derived from the dense,dark (Black) virgin coniferous forests that originally covered the region. The Black Forest Trail is a rugged trail with many vistas as the trail winds up to heights overlooking Slate Run, Morris Run , Big Dam Hollow, Naval Run, and Pine Creek. There are many steep climbs on the Black Forest Trail but the vistas are well worth the effort. In the spring, when the water is high, the many creeks that traverse the trail provide numerous beautiful scenes.
Books/Trail Guide:
Black Forest Trail Guide & Map

5. Bucktail Path

Length: 34 total miles
Skill level: Moderate
Trail type: Point-to-point
Description: Located in the Elk State Forest, in north central Pennsylvania, 35 miles northeast of Clearfield Pennsylvania. The trail is approximately 34 miles long. The trail starts at Sizerville State Park and ends in the village of Sinnemahoning. The trail is orange blazed. Highlights are mountain vistas, varied terrain, former railroad grades and the Johnson Run Natural Area. The Johnson Run Natural Area is a 200-acre area of old growth hemlock and hardwoods.
Books/Trail Guide:
Hikers' Guide to the Bucktail Path

6. Chuck Keiper Trail

Length: 52.8 total miles
Skill level: Strenuous
Trail type: Loop
Description: This orange paint blazed trail in the southern part of the Sproul State Forest is organized into two loops, east and west. The east loop is 36 KM long and suitable for a two day backpack. The west loop of 54 KM can be traversed in three days. The Chuck Keiper Trail traverses the Burns Run Wild Area, Fish Dam Wild Area, East Branch Swamp Natural Area and Cranberry Swamp Natural Area. A looped trail is located around the perimeter of Cranberry Swamp. This trail is marked with blue paint blazes. The trail is named for Charles F. Keiper who was the District Wildlife Conservation for Western Clinton County from 1951 until his death in 1973. Chuck Keiper was a dedicated conservationist and wildlife law enforcement officer. This trail is a tribute to his devotion to Pennsylvania's wildlife resource.

7. Donut Hole Trail

Length: 81 total miles
Skill level: Moderate to Strenuous
Trail type: Point-to-point
Description: The Donut Hole Trail heads north from Bucktail State Park through Kettle Creek State Park towards Tamarack. It then turns south in the Sproul State Forest towards Hyner, passing through Hyner Run State Park before continuing south to Farrandsville. This red blazed cross country trail traverses the northern most part of the Sproul State Forest. The western terminus is located along the Montour Road about one fourth mile north of PA State Route 120. The eastern terminus is located in Hyner Run State Park. The Donut Hole and Susquehannock Trail share a common path from the mouth of Porter Branch to the Fork Hill Road. At that point the trails split. The Susquehannock Trail goes north and the Donut Hole Trail goes south. During this shared use the trails are marked with orange blazes.

8. Baker Trail

Length: 141 total miles
Skill level: Moderate to Strenuous
Trail type: Point-to-point
Description: The Baker Trail was established in 1950 and named for the late Pittsburgh attorney, Horace Forbes Baker. The trail originally extended from Aspinwall to Cook Forest State Park (133 miles). However, extensive development along the Allegheny River caused the Aspinwall-Freeport section to be abandoned. In 1971, the trail was extended northward from Cook Forest Fire Tower into Allegheny National Forest, making the trail 141 miles long. The Baker Trail is a hiking and backpacking trail, following forest paths, old jeep trails and dirt roads through woods, farmlands, along rivers and creeks. Currently, there are nine campsites with openfront "Adirondack" shelters located on side trails. There are no signs pointing to the shelters, so they must be located by consulting the Baker Trail Guide Book. The Guide includes a detailed description and maps of the trail. Besides the shelters, there are primitive campsites along the trail where tents can be used.

9. Golden Eagle Trail

Length: 8.9 total miles
Skill level: Strenuous
Trail type: Loop
Description: The Golden Eagle Trail is an 8.9 mile circuit trail located in the Pine Creek region of Lycoming County. The trail head is about 4 miles north of Cammal at the mouth of Bonnel Run. It has been moved from its previous location to accomodate the Rails to Trails trail thru Pine Creek Canyon. The Golden Eagle Trail was constructed by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry and the Waterdale (Williamsport) Youth Group. Because of the rugged topography, loctions for overnight camping along the trail are extremely limited. For this reason, OVERNIGHT CAMPING IS NOT PERMITTED ALONG THE GOLDEN EAGLE TRAIL. The trail is marked with orange blazes, and features vistas overlooking Pine Creek Gorge as well as interesting rock formations and remnants of old logging camps.

10. John P. Saylor Trail

Length: 18 total miles
Skill level: Easy
Trail type: Loop
Description: The John P. Saylor Trail is realatively flat with gradual climbs in elevation. In the spring the trail is very wet with many springs and streams leading to marshy areas. On parts of the trail there is well preserved evidence of the former railroad grades over the swamp areas. The trail then crosses Clear Shade Creek by a narrow suspension bridge into the Clear Shade wild area. It then passes through a former logging camp.

11. Lost Turkey Trail

Length: 26 total miles
Skill level: Easy to Moderate
Trail type: Point-to-point
Description: Playfully named by its original trailblazers, the Youth Conservation Corps in 1976, the Lost Turkey Trail is an interesting passageway through the forest west of the Allegheny Front. The Lost Turkey Trail is a 26 mile trail that cuts through Gallitzin state forest, State Game Lands and Blue knob state park. Overnight camping is permitted only in the state forest land. The trail begins at the Southern terminus at The Babcock picnic area and continues for several miles with mild terrain along Pot Ridge. At about 14 miles the trail meets Little Break Hollow and the terrain changes from gentle to challenging for the remainder of the hike. The trail follows Forks ridge and then traverses beautiful Bob's Creek along a cable bridge. There are several camping spots in this area (even though it is not in state forest land). The trail then climbs Hog Back Ridge and continues on to Blue Knob State Park. At mile 24 (along Hog Back Ridge) there is a monument built to two children who got lost in the mountains and perished in 1856.

12. Loyalsock Trail

Length: 59 total miles
Skill level: Strenuous
Trail type: Point-to-Point
Description: The name Loyalsock Creek is taken from the Indian phrase "Lawi-Saquick," meaning middle creek, or flowing between Muncy Creek and Lycoming Creek. Loyalsock Creek has its start in Wyoming County and ends at Montoursville, where it empties into the Susquehanna River.The Loyalsock Trail, a wilderness footpath, runs from PA 87, 10 miles north of Montoursville, to U.S. 220 at Ringdale, a distance of 59.3 miles. The trail parallels the creek, mostly following ridges, but at times passing mountain streams, waterfalls, lakes, and ponds. The Loyalsock Trail is known for its many fine vistas. The Loyalsock Trail is maintained by the Alpine Club of Williamsport. The group marks the main trail with painted 2" x 6" yellow rectangles on which is a 1" horizontal red stripe. Side trail markers are painted yellow with a red X. Lead-in trails are marked with blue metal discs. White-marked trails are not brushed.
Books/Trail Guide:
Guide to the Loyalsock Trail

13. Mid State Trail

Length: 176 total miles
Skill level: Easy to strenuous
Trail type: Point-to-point
Description: The Mid State Trail System (MST) is a long distance hiking trail and its side trails in central Pennsylvania. The current northern end is at the West Rim Trail on Bohen Run north of Blackwell and the southern end is a junction with Green Ridge Hiking Trail in Maryland at the Mason-Dixon line. The MST is almost entirely on public land: state forests, game lands and parks. It links or traverses a token roadside rest (Penn DOT), a covered bridge built in 1879, Huntingdon and Broad Top RR grade, two scout camps, two fire towers, three state forest wild areas, five state forests, four state game lands, four state forest picnic areas, eight state parks and eight state forest natural areas, as well as Stone Valley Recreation Area, the Lower Trail, and the Woolrich Factory Outlet Store. The Frankstown to Burnt Cabins Indian Path is crossed and the Great Island Indian Path is followed in part by MST. Intermediate access from paved roads is available from PA 326 near Hewitt, Beans Cove Road, PA 326 in Rainsburg Gap, SR 1004 in Everett, SR 1005 in Snake Spring Valley, PA 36, PA 164, PA 866 at Williamsburg, US 22, PA 26, US 322, PA 45, PA 192, Sugar Valley Narrows Road, PA 880, PA 150, PA 44, SR 4001 and PA 414. There are a host of unpaved roads that also provide access in season. See Map & Guide set. The MST is marked with rectangular orange blazes on the main trail and blue blazes on side trails. Double blazes are used to mark turns. Principle features of the MST are its many views, side trails and fragile illusion of isolation and wilderness. The narrow ridges afford views and provide an illusion of remoteness and solitude in the second most industrialzed state in the nation, yet the MST is rarely more than 2 kilometers from the nearest road. The level of usage is still low and if you hike alone you may meet more bears than people. Thus its recognition as "The Wildest Trail in Pennsylvania".
Books/Trail Guide:
Map & Guide Set to the Mid State Trail in PA, 10th edition

14. Old Loggers Path

Length: 27.8 total miles
Skill level: Easy to Moderate
Trail type: Loop
Description: The trail is a 27.1 mile long circuit trail located in northeastern Lycoming County. The starting point is located approximately 2.7 miles Southwest of Ellenton on Legislative Route 41110. The trail is located entirely on State Forest Lands, land that had formerly belonged to the Central Pennsylvania Lumber Co. The trail layout has taken advantage of the engineering expertise of the early logging railroaders as it follows the grades. The highlights of the trail are the many cuts & fills on the grades, Rock Run (one of the prettiest streams in Pennsylvania), the vistas that look into the McIntyre Wild Area, Pleasant Stream and the LoyalsockTrail region. The trail is blazed in orange. The trail area as well as many of the trail areas of Pennsylvania have been written up in a historical series of logging railroad books of Pennsylvania. The book that covers this region is called "Ghost Lumber Towns of Central Pennsylvania." It includes Masten which is the starting point of the Old Loggers Path.

15. Pinchot Trail

Length: 23 total miles
Skill level: Strenuous
Trail type: Loop
Description: The Pinchot Trail is a 23 mile loop-type footpath in the Lackawanna State Forest. Backpack campers and hikers will find this trail on the Pocono Plateau challenging, exciting and beautiful. It offers everything from a scenic overlook of expansive forests, a path sheltered by hemlocks next to a gurgling creek, to bog areas which contain some plants not common to Pennsylvania. The trail is blazed in orange. Although the entire trail can be hiked in one day by an experienced hiker in good physical condition, most hikers prefer to take two or more days. They either camp overnight along the trail or use one of the connector trails to make short one-day hikes. With a township road cutting through the center of the system, many one day hikers do the north loop and the south loop on seperate days.

16. Quehanna Trail

Length: 75 total miles
Skill level: Strenuous
Trail type: Loop
Description: The Quehanna Trail is a 75-mile loop trail in the Moshannon and Elk State Forests. The Trail passes through some of the most wild and beautiful country Pennsylvania has to offer. The main orange blazed trail begins on the western end at Parker Dam State Park. From Parker Dam the trail goes east into the Quehanna Wild Area toward Karthaus and Piper, then north toward Sinnemahoning and finally west through the Marion Brooks Natural Area back to Parker Dam. There are two blue blazed cross-connector trails and numerous blue blazed side trails that add another 30 miles of trails so that the casual or avid hiker may spend a few hours or a few days enjoying the beauty of the Quehanna Wild Area. These additional 30 miles of blue blazed trails helps hikers to fashion shorter circuit hikes and enjoy many beautiful sights off the main orange trail.
Books/Trail Guide:
A Trail Guide for the Quehanna Plateau and the Moshannon State Forest

17. Rocky Knob Trail

Length: 4 miles
Skill level: Easy to Moderate
Trail type: Loop
Description: The rocky Knob trail is a loop trail approximately four miles in length. The road portion of this trail was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corp in 1937. They attempted to build a road connecting the Ridge Road with Birch Run Road, but were thwarted in their attempt by the rugged geology of the area. In 1976, the Youth Conservation Corp (Y.C.C.) constructed a trail which begins along the northern portion of this road. It traverses a variety of scenic areas including Rocky Knob and connects back to the road at the southern end. During the summer of 1977, the Y.C.C. developed numbered stations showing various points of interest for the hikers of this trail. The Rocky Knob trail is blazed in orange.

18. Susquehannock Trail

Length: 85 total mile
Skill level: Easy to Strenuous
Trail type: Loop
Description: This rolling, long-distance hiking trail swings an impressive oval through Susquehannock State Forest, visiting Ole Bull and Patterson state parks, Hammersly Wild Area, and Cherry Springs Fire Tower. On this Allegheny Mountain tour, explore a terrain of moderate relief, with long, even-height ridges cut by sparkling runs that host native brook trout. Maple and beech dominate the second-growth hardwood forests, joined by impressive black cherry and stands of hemlock, planted pine or Norway spruce. This long-distance loop and its associated spurs offer comfortable travel, incorporating existing foot trails, old and new logging roads and abandoned logging railroad grades. Allot at least a week to tour the entire loop and travel is mostly on public land. The route is marked by 2" x 6" rectangular orange blazes. At intervals the STS emblem is painted on trees. There are no shelters along the Trail, but backpackers may build fires using the proper precautions.
Books/Trail Guide:
Guide to the Susquehannock Trail System

19. Thunder Swamp Trail

Length: 45 total miles
Skill level: Moderate
Trail type: Loop
Description: The Thunder Swamp Trail System provides a 45-mile network of interconnecting hiking trails. Built by the Youth Conservation Corps during the 1970's, the trail continues to provide a variety of hiking opportunities. The main trail, blazed in blue, has been designated as a State Forest Hiking Trail. Special protection is given to the trail corridor to provide the hiker with a quality experience. Following the trail loops, you can view the Pocono Mountains in detail. You will encounter gradual changes of elevation, experience the dryness of ridgetops, the coolness of the wetlands and streams, and witness an array of native plants and animals. The Thunder Swamp Trail System crosses numerous ridges, valleys, and follows the contours of wetlands. The trail surface is often wet, uneven and rocky. A hiking boot which affords ankle protection and reduces water penetration is recommended.

20. Tuscarora Trail

Length: 110 miles (in PA)
Skill level: Moderate
Trail type: Point-to-point
Description: The Tuscarora Trail was originally created as a new route for the Appalachian Trail. It first departs the Appalachian Trail at the top of Blue Mountain in Deans Gap. It travels along ridge tops, southwesterly, to Maryland, where it connects to the Big Blue Trail before joining the Appalachian Trail again in Shenandoah National Park. The trail is over 250 miles in length, with 110 miles in Pennsylvania. The Tuscarora Trail is marked with rectangular blue blaze marks.

21. West Rim Trail

Length: 30 total miles
Skill level: Moderate
Trail type: Point-to-point
Description: The West Rim Trail is a 30 mile hiking trail located adjacent to the Western Rim of Pennsylvania's Grand Canyon. The northern section of the canyon is about 800 feet deep and about 2,000 feet from rim to rim. The exposed rock is estimated to be more than 350 million years old. Most of the important geologic process which formed the canyonas it now exists occurred less than 20,000 years ago. Before glacial activity took place in the present Canyon area, the headwaters of Pine Creek took a northeastern drainage course. Glaciers deposited a blanket og gravel, sand and clay blocking the flow of Pine Creek. This natural dam forced Pine Creek to reverse its flow and drain to the south. This overflow cut through the drainage divide and formed the canyon. The trail offers spectacular views of the Canyon. In some spots the trail follows the very rim of the Canyon, so watch your step.
Books/Trail Guide:
Guide to the West Rim Trail

22. Allegheny Front Trail

Length: 40 miles
Skill level: Easy to Moderate
Trail type: Loop
Description: The Allegheny Front Trail (or AFT) is a relatively new Pennsylvania hiking trail that encircles Black Moshannon State Park. The AFT traverses some rocky, rugged portions of the Allegheny Plateau, passes along five different mountain trout streams and the Moshannon Creek, and includes 11 vistas along its circuit. A 7-mile cross-connector passes through the park, while most of the orange-blazed trail is outside the park’s boundaries. The northeastern portion intersects with several blue-blaze cross-country ski trails.

More information about trails in Pennsylvania can be found at these web sites:
    PAHikes.com
    MidAtlantic Hikes