Pennsylvania

Trail Miles: 232
Highest Point: Big Pine Flat Ridge, 2,080 feet

For the most part, the stretch of the Appalachian Trail through Pennsylvania is uneventful.  The terrain is easier than any found to the south.  There are sharp and steep climbs and descents, but the lower elevations mean they are usually short in duration.  The trail also crosses more roads and highways here than perhaps any other state.  Sometimes the trail skirts developed areas and even passes through farmland.  

This easier stretch of trail is a good thing, because most thru-hikers pass through here during the heat of summer.  Hikers often find themselves in the hot sun, much more so than the heavy woods to the south.  The humidity of summer is also tough through this stretch.  If the terrain was harder through Pennsylvania, it would likely combine with the hot summer weather to end many more thru-hike attempts than it does.  Pennsylvania is a welcome respite as hikers pass the halfway point heading northward.