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 #6 Ohiopyle to Maple Summit LHHT Miles 0–11.2 Activity Level 5: Very Strenuous Guide: Lindsay This section of the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail is widely considered one of the most spectacular — and most challenging — stretches of the entire 70-mile route. The trail winds through hemlock-studded stream hollows, rock formations, wildflowers, and ferns, with two hard-earned overlooks of the Youghiogheny River as our reward. The trail continues north through beautiful forest before reaching a second major climb near mile 6. The trail ascends steeply up Camp Run for over a mile, gaining roughly 1,100 feet before cresting the ridge, the sharpest and most strenuous climb on the entire LHHT. The effort is well worth it, with another stunning view of the Yough awaiting at the top, along with a series of sharp rock formations and an attractive hemlock-lined stream below. The hike concludes at the Maple Summit Road trailhead, high on the ridge. Distance: 11.2 miles point-to-point Elevation Gain: ~2,791 ft 💌 Registered participants will receive an email with meeting location, suggested gear, and other pertinent info before the event.