Appalachian Trail — Pennsylvania section
14 days · 223.1 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Appalachian Trail — Pennsylvania section is known for
The full Pennsylvania stretch of the Appalachian Trail, 229.6 miles point-to-point from the Maryland line at Pen Mar to the Delaware Water Gap. Grades are gentle by AT standards, but the famously rocky footpath earns the state its 'Rocksylvania' nickname, and the trail's official midpoint marker lies in this section. Thru-hikers typically take about two weeks.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 1,270 ft to 6,631 ft over 223.1 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 75.0 mi · 34%
- Downhill 79.0 mi · 36%
- Flat 67.7 mi · 31%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Appalachian Trail — Pennsylvania section?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Appalachian Trail — Pennsylvania section scores 59/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How much elevation gain is on the Appalachian Trail — Pennsylvania section?
The Appalachian Trail — Pennsylvania section climbs roughly 27,365 ft total — about 123 ft per mile, topping out near 2,073 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.