Horse-Shoe Trail

Hike Name: Horse-Shoe Trail Location: southeast PA Length: 140 Submitted by: Wayne D. Applegate Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Pennsylvania trail reviews Pennsylvania national parks Pennsylvania state parks
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Description
This trail runs 140 miles from the Valley Forge National Historic Park to the Appalachian and the old Darlington Trails above Harrisburg on Stony Mountain. This is the trail that my wife and I cut our teeth on. It is great for beginners and old trail hands alike, and can be hiked in smaller sections on weekends.

Occassionally the trail comes into contact with roadways (some of which can be skipped over when section hiking) that the hiker must travel for a few miles. But, if you enjoy wildlife and early American history, keep on hiking. The best parts of the trail is through the state gamelands where it is more rugged.

This trail also comes into contact with county and state parks, nature centers and preserves, and the Hopewell Furnace which is a rebuilt community maintained by the National Park Service. There are no less than twelve forge and furnace sites near the trail.

At about the half way point, is Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area. By taking a short side trail to the Black Oak Ridge, you will come to an opening with a view of the wildlife area to the north. This is a favorite recreational area for the Amish on Sundays.

After Campbelltown, the trail runs north through fields and back roads of the Lebanon Valley. It cuts through the Hershey Farm property where across the valley is Blue Mountain which is part of the Appalachian chain. The last twenty miles (Manada Gap - trail termination) is the most remote and pristine area of the trail.

Once you link up with the AT, you can make a right turn towards Mount Katahdin or a left towards Springer Mountain. I will leave that choice up to you.

Directions to Hike
Start at Valley Forge, PA.

Take PA TPK to exit 24

Contact Information
Trail Guide can be bought at Valley Forge National Park bookstore or REI in Conshohocken, PA.

Correspondence:

Horse-Shoe Trail Club, Inc.
PO Box 182
Birchrunville, PA 19421-0182

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