Published September 25, 2026 11:28AM
Those who know the Keystone State best know that beyond the well-trodden Appalachian Trail lies a rich network of long trails cutting through the state’s rocky ridgelines and deep forests. With the new Tiltrock Loop—a 300-mile hike around south-central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland that combines parts of five existing trails—thru-hikers now have the perfect way to explore some of Pennsylvania’s most rugged, scenic, and historic trails.
The appeal of the Tiltrock Loop isn’t just about the scenery. The distance is doable without quitting your job, the loop layout eliminates complicated shuttles, and the welcoming trail town of Everett, Pennsylvania, sends you off and welcomes you back. But the biggest sell for adventurous souls who love a challenge? No one’s logged a thru-hike yet.
A viewpoint on the new Tiltrock Loop in Bedford County, Pennsylvania (Photo: Discover Bedford County)
How a New Thru-Hike Is Born
Taking its name from the slanted Allegheny ridgelines that define the region, the Tiltrock Loop began like all good ideas—with a lightbulb moment.
Avid local hiker Mike Teeter noticed that a rerouting of the 1,800-mile Great Eastern Trail had inadvertently created a loop—traveling the C&O and Mid State trails to the west and the Tuscarora and Standing Stone trails to the east. From there, Teeter began envisioning a new backpacking route through south-central Pennsylvania that would bring “a breath of fresh air” to these historic but often overlooked trails. What followed was a true grassroots effort to bring the Tiltrock Loop to life, spearheaded by Teeter and the Bedford County Outdoor Recreation Alliance.
That spirit of collaboration would come to define the project. With five trail associations to work with, plus multiple state agencies and experts, the Tiltrock Loop seemed like the sort of project that would be great—if it worked out. But the vision was clear to all involved.
According to Jennifer Marsh, head of the Bedford County Development Association, the collaboration between Bedford County and those five trail associations—representing the Great Eastern, Mid State, Tuscarora, Standing Stone, and C&O trails—was immediate. And that’s what made it unique. “How often do you have everyone in a group saying, ‘Yes, let’s do this!’” she said.
5 Trails, 1 Loop
After Teeter presented his original plan, he remembers being told, “If you put this all together, you’ve got some really cool places people get to see.” Atop scenic ridgelines and through some of the deepest wilderness in the state, there are highlights aplenty, including some of Teeter’s favorite places:
The Thousand Steps on the Standing Stone Trail
Alan Sager Natural Area’s old-growth forests
Sweet Root Natural Area’s Revolutionary War–era saltpeter caves
Tussey Mountain in the Martin Hill Wild Area
The Tiltrock Loop also offers rich history: Remnants of the region’s former mining industry line the trail, along with abandoned infrastructure from a never-completed railroad.
The Thousand Steps on the Standing Stone Trail (Photo: Discover Bedford County)
You can keep an eye out for other eye-popping points of interest, thanks to Purple Lizard Maps, a Pennsylvania-based company known for dropping its signature lizard at particularly noteworthy places. Hikers will know when they’ve got something special coming up that day, along with important details like camping sites, water resources, and upcoming resupply towns.
Although the Tiltrock Loop is new, its first thru-hikers should have all the info they need, thanks to experts from the participating trail associations, who were happy to contribute their knowledge and resources to the official map. Water availability on the Tiltrock Loop fluctuates based on seasonal conditions, so hikers are recommended to carry three liters of water per day, along with three to five days’ worth of food. As for camping, the trail includes a mix of backcountry camping, shelters, and primitive sites. Any camping restrictions—like those in all Pennsylvania State Game Lands—are marked on the official map.
The Tiltrock Loop at a GlanceDistance300 milesRouteContinuous loopStatesPennsylvania and MarylandTotal Elevation Gain33,372 FeetHighest Elevation2,727 FeetRecommended Start and EndEverett, PennsylvaniaTerrainAppalachian ridges, deep forests, and river valleysEstimated Thru HikeEstimated 30 days
Convenient Planning and a Budding Trail Town
The Tiltrock Loop, with its manageable length and convenient circular route, is primed to draw thru-hikers from near and far. No more trailhead shuttles or dirt-road hitchhiking; here, you can start and finish wherever you’d like. Of course, some ending points are better than others, and if you’re looking for a comfy bed and a round of cheers to a hike well done, there’s no better spot than the growing trail town of Everett, Pennsylvania.
“We weren’t interested in creating another reason to simply drive through Bedford County; we wanted to give people a reason to experience it mile by mile,” said Brooke Kelly, executive director of Discover Bedford County. “The Tiltrock Loop connects some incredibly wild places, but it also connects hikers to the communities surrounding them. That combination is what makes this trail different.”
A hiker’s haven along the remote Mid State Trail, Everett offers family-owned restaurants and lodging, ice-cold trailside drinks, and a thru-hiker’s most essential convenience—a laundromat. The town is also an ideal base camp for anyone looking to explore the trail in segments. The nearby Everett Ridge section is one of the loop’s highlights, while the town’s Tenley Park Loop offers a peaceful, family-friendly excursion. Elsewhere on the trail, the Standing Stone Overlooks offer another long day with rewarding views.
Everett is an ideal basecamp for anyone looking to explore the trail in segments with restaurants, hotels, and shops. (Photo: Discover Bedford County)
Like many aspects of the Tiltrock Loop, day-hike options are expanding as the trail grows. No one has yet completed the entire loop, which makes it one of the most unique hiking challenges in the country in the coming year. Rugged scenery, a diverse collection of trails and public lands, and the town of Everett anchoring it all will make an unforgettable experience for anyone who thru-hikes the Tiltrock Loop in its first season.
And if you’re not sold yet, Jen Marsh made a particularly tempting argument for that first thru-hiker:
“They’d have the Fastest Known Time.”
A viewpoint on the new Tiltrock Loop in Bedford County, Pennsylvania (Photo: Discover Bedford County)
Discover the unexpected in Bedford County. Tucked into Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Mountains, Bedford County is made for discovery. Hike rugged trails, paddle scenic waterways, explore centuries of history, savor local flavors, and recharge at one-of-a-kind places to stay. Here, outdoor adventure, rich history, and unexpected experiences are closer than you think.