Trails

Trails


PATC maintains the 240-mile AT section from Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park to Pine Grove Furnace, Pennsylvania, the entire 250-mile Tuscarora Trail, and 650 miles of other trails across Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC.

Trail management encompasses the on–the-ground stewardship performed by volunteers to maintain the trails, its structures, its natural and cultural resources, along with educating the public on trail use.


Keeping the trails open and clear is the centerpiece of PATC's mission. Trail Maintainers are the heartbeat of PATC. Maintainers are the vital volunteers who take care of the routine maintenance on a specific section of trail. Sections are usually 1 to 2 miles in length, although distances may vary.


Maintainers clear vegetation, remove obstacles from the tread, control erosion, and ensure that blazes and signage are clear and obvious. Trail Maintainers deserve all the credit for the club's excellent reputation among hikers and our trail partners. Maintainers usually visit their trail sections at least four times a year and get assistance from Trail Crews for big projects requiring major repairs. Training is offered for basic techniques which most Maintainers learn working with a Trail Crew.

Trail Crews perform some normal trail maintenance such as blowdowns & erosion or weed control as well as large trail tasks, such as building new tread, bridges and major rehab projects. All of PATC's trail crews welcome new members and are glad to help you learn the basics of trail maintenance.

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