June 1st is National Trails Day, a holiday that occurs every year on the first Saturday of June.
National Trails Day is sponsored by the American Hiking Society, who explains the holiday as “a day of service for hometown trails and the people who love them.” On this day, people are encouraged to get out and go for a hike, help clean up local trails, or thank the people who serve on the trails.
There are numerous benefits to hiking, according to the National Park Service. There are obvious physical benefits, such as building muscle, increasing balance, and improving heart health. These can all be achieved no matter the type of hike — flat or steep, paved or dirt.
The benefits of hiking are more than just physical, however. A Stanford University study shows that mental health can be improved by spending time in the outdoors. It’s been proven that increased time outside reduces stress and leads to a lower risk of depression. Hiking can also strengthen relationships, as it provides a great opportunity to spend time with friends in a low-stress, calming environment.
While there are numerous events held in honor of National Trails Day, this day can be celebrated on your own, as well, by simply getting out and going for a hike on a local trail. There are plenty of beautiful places to go out walking in Hershey and surrounding areas.
Local trails:
Bullfrog Valley Park
The trails at Bullfrog Valley Park, located in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, provide over four miles of a combination of paved and dirt paths. This popular trail runs through Shank Park and continues on down past the Hershey Medical Center. Bullfrog Valley Pond is a fun stop along the trail with a connected stream kids can play in.
Hummel Nature Trail
Hummel Nature Trail is a very short and easy hiking trail located in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania. At only around 0.6 miles, this trail is a super popular destination for runners and walkers alike. A large part of the trail runs along Swatara Creek, allowing for plenty of fishing as well as being a great spot to take a dip in the water during the summer.
Hotel Hershey Trails
Surrounding the beautiful Hotel Hershey are three great hiking trails, ranging in length from one to three miles. The two shorter trails, the “Paved Kiss Path” and “Brooks Valley Run,” are both fully paved and make for a great spot to go running, walking, or biking. The longer, three-mile trail is paved in part but also features some steeper dirt paths that make for a slightly more challenging hike.
Destination trails:
Susquehannock State Park
Located in Drumore, Pennsylvania, this 224-acre state park offers dozens of miles of designated hiking trails, varying in difficulty and length. Trails like the Overlook Trail provide short hikes less than a mile long that lead to beautiful scenic views. The majority of trails available on the park’s website are brief and similar to the Overlook Trail, but sites like AllTrails have longer hike routes available within the park. At just over an hour away from Hershey, this park is definitely worth visiting.
Ricketts Glen State Park
Ricketts Glen is a stunning state park that expands over 13,000 acres and crosses three counties — Luzerne, Sullivan, and Columbia. There are many gorgeous waterfalls located in this park, and 21 of them can be accessed along the 7.2-mile Falls Trail loop. There is also a shorter 3.2-mile loop that makes for an easier hike and still passes many of the waterfalls. Lake Jean, a 245-acre lake, is easily accessible and offers a great opportunity to go for a swim to cool off after a long day of hiking. All Ricketts Glen trails can be viewed here.
Nay Aug Park
At just around two hours away, Nay Aug Park offers many fun and beautiful places to explore. The Davis Trail is the main hiking path and leads to Nay Aug Gorge, among other enjoyable stops such as the Dave Wenzel Treehouse and Doodle Overlook. The Gorge is a stunning waterfall and one of 27 National Park Service Natural Landmarks in Pennsylvania. Hanlon’s Grove, a picnic area with tables and grills, makes for a great post-hike stop and is open anytime from 9 AM until 8 PM.
