About the Adventure

About Our Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail Series The 70-mile Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is a beautiful, single-track hiking trail that begins in Ohiopyle and ends in Seward, Pennsylvania. Following Laurel Ridge, the trail winds through hemlock groves, mountain streams, and hardwood forests filled with the sights and sounds of wildlife. It is one of the premier hiking trails in the eastern United States and a true gem of the Pennsylvania state parks system. 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, and the Women's Adventure Club is celebrating by hiking all 70 miles together, one section at a time from May through September. We'd love for you to join us for one hike, a few, or all seven sections! Each hike is one way and requires participation in a self-shuttle. We'll meet at the day's ending trailhead, drop one car, then drive together to the starting point and begin hiking. When we finish, we'll return to pick up the remaining car. It's a simple system that makes point-to-point hiking doable! LHHT Hike #3 Activity Level 3: vigorous Guide: Lindsay Laurel Summit to Rt. 30 LHHT Miles 38–46 | Approximately 8 Miles This section of the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is one of the most beloved stretches of the entire route, winding through the heart of Forbes State Forest with a wonderful mix of rocky terrain, lush tunnels of rhododendron, and one of the most iconic viewpoints on the trail. Departing from the picnic area at Laurel Summit State Park, we'll head north through dense hardwood forest draped in mountain laurel, which *should* be in bloom if Mother Nature and I are on the same page. The trail is covered with rhododendrons and mountain laurels throughout this section, creating a canopy that feels almost magical. Near the 40-mile post, we'll explore Beam Rocks, which rises 90 feet above the Laurel Highlands Trail and is certainly a highlight of this section. From here the trail continues north through more beautiful forest before arriving at the Route 30 parking area Distance: ~8 miles point-to-point Elevation Gain: ~889 ft 💌 Registered participants will receive an email with meeting location, suggested gear, and other pertinent info before the event.