Mid State Trail
~24 days · 308.5 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Mid State Trail is known for
Pennsylvania's Mid State Trail runs the length of the state's ridge-and-valley country between the Maryland line and the New York border, roughly 320 miles of remote, rocky ridge walking often called PA's wildest trail. A point-to-point thru-hike typically takes 3-4 weeks; the line here is simplified, so true mileage runs well above what the drawn segments measure.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 1,775 ft to 7,900 ft over 308.5 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 109.3 mi · 36%
- Downhill 98.3 mi · 32%
- Flat 100.0 mi · 33%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Mid State Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Mid State Trail scores 74/100, 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 many days does the Mid State Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Mid State Trail in about 24 days (23 nights out) over its 308.5 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Mid State Trail?
The Mid State Trail climbs roughly 45,469 ft total — about 147 ft per mile, topping out near 2,720 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.