PATC Chapters
Our territory covers 240 miles of the A. T. from Central Pennsylvania to Waynesboro, Virginia. Many of our members are not within the D.C. metro area. So, in the mid-1980s, Chapters were established in Pennsylvania & Charlottesville. Then Maryland was joined with the Pennsylvania Chapter creating the North Chapter. Later, the Southern Shenandoah Valley Chapter was added, and finally the Blue Ridge Chapter.
The Chapters exist to organize activities outside the DC metro area.
Chapters may schedule hikes as well as trail maintenance work trips. During work trips, they maintain trail tread, clear vegetation from trails, remove invasive species, branches, and fallen trees up to about 8” in diameter with handsaws, maintain trail blazes, clear water bars (structures which run water off the trail), and pick up litter and trash. Basic trail maintenance may also include assistance provided by certified chainsaw operators to clear trees of larger than 8” diameter.
Blue Ridge Chapter
As PATC’s newest Chapter, formed in 2019, the Blue Ridge Chapter serves members in the northern Virginia and eastern West Virginia Panhandle geographical region.
The Chapter maximizes on opportunities to partner with the Designated AT Communities of Front Royal (VA), Berryville (VA), Bolivar/Harpers Ferry (WV), and Round Hill (VA), Bluemont (VA) and Hillsboro (VA) that fall in and around this region.
The Chapter hosts a variety of hikes in the region ranging from short, easy hikes to moderate and difficult hikes. One objective of the Chapter is to offer hikes that are family friendly as a form of outreach to the next generation of hiking and backpacking enthusiasts.
The Chapter is also working towards training up and emboldening a new team of Trail Maintainers.
Events and workshops are announced on the Blue Ridge Chapte on PATC's Meetup Page. If you have an interest in joining the Blue Ridge Chapter, reach out to the Chapter President Danielle DeHart at (540) 383-3357.
Note that there are no additional Chapter membership dues required. If you are not already a PATC member, we can help get you all set up!
North Chapter
The North Chapter of PATC, founded in 1985 as the 1st regional PATC Chapter, is meant to serve those living in Maryland or Pennsylvania & is responsible for the northernmost portion of PATC territory…..the Appalachian Trail and side-trails from Harper’s Ferry thru Maryland to Pine Grove Furnace in Central Pennsylvania, as well as the Tuscarora Trail. Organized hikes are not currently scheduled in this chapter.
This Chapter maintains over 240 miles of trails and has two Trail Maintenance Crews:
Maryland: Trail worktrips are generally held on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays & usually meet in Myersville, MD
Pennsylvania: Trail worktrips are generally held on the AT on the 1st Saturday and the Tuscarora on 3rd Saturday
More Info: Visit PATC North to join their newsletter & for more detailed info
MD Worktrips: contact David House (mdtrails@comcast.net)
PA Worktrips: contact Pete Brown (yankeeclippers@patc.net)
Southern Shenandoah Valley Chapter
The Southern Shenandoah Valley Chapter is meant to serve those living in the Harrisonburg-Staunton-Waynesboro area of VIrginia and is responsible for the Appalachian Trail in the southern section of Shenandoah National Park as well as trails in the George Washington National Forest.
The group hosts regularly scheduled hikes and trail maintenance work crews. For descriptions of hikes and work trips, go to www.ssvc.org or www.patc.net. Contact the listed hike leader for information about a specific event, or contact Jean Stephens, jtstephens12@yahoo.com or 443-986-5649 or Pam Henrich, pamheinrich13@gmail.com or 540-290-5595.
More Info: Visit
SSVC Chapter for more info on hikes and worktrip schedules
Charlottesville Chapter
The Charlottesville Chapter of PATC, founded in 1986, is meant to serve those living in the Charlottesville area and is responsible for the southernmost portion of PATC territory — the Appalachian Trail and side-trails from Rockfish Gap to McCormick Gap.
The group hosts hikes usually on Skyline Drive, George Washington National Forest, the Blue Ridge Parkway, or in other regional areas. We use Meetup as a signup. Meeting places and starting times for hikes vary; please check the hiking schedule carefully. Typical meeting spots for carpools will be Albemarle High School (AHS) in Charlottesville, Route 33 at Swift Run Gap, King's Popcorn stand at Rockfish Gap, and the Taste Freeze on Route 250 at Churchville, BUT it is the decision of the hike leader as to when and where the group will meet. You will bring food and water for the day. Regular trail maintenance hikes (PATC Charlottesville Hiking and Trail Love) are dedicated to maintaining the trails with vegetation cutback and water bars, while individual chapter members perform maintenance on "Blue Blazed" side trails in the park. No experience is needed for the maintenance trips and all volunteers are welcome. More Info: Visit PATC Charlottesville for a hike schedule and detailed contact information via the chapter’s archived blog.