Mid-State Trail

Mid-State Trail (MST) is Pennsylvania’s long-distance hiking footpath built around a metric-first culture and marked by 5-by-15-centimeter rectangular orange blazes on the main route. The corridor runs north–south through central Pennsylvania, crossing state forests, state game lands, and state parks.

MST’s layout is commonly planned as four regions from south to north: Everett Region, State College Region, Woolrich Region, and Tioga Region. This sectioning is useful when you’re matching daily hiking mileage to access points and resupply in the more developed central stretches.

Much of the trail’s character changes by region. From the Maryland border area up through the earlier miles, the route is largely rocky ridgetop hiking; farther north it shifts more often to older trails and abandoned road or railroad grades, with occasional crossings where bridges carry the footpath.

Trail navigation stays straightforward but requires attention: follow the orange blaze pattern on the main route, and expect side trails to use other blaze colors. If you’re stitching sections together for a longer day or multi-day outing, don’t assume road crossings are frequent—some parts stay relatively close to roads, but not every section offers easy exit options.

Plan water, timing, and camping rules around the land you’re on. Camping isn’t permitted in state game lands, state forest natural areas, and private land (with limited exceptions), and there are additional restrictions along Penns Creek between Poe Paddy and Cherry Run; permit requirements can also vary by state forest and length of stay.

If you’re hiking in wet weather, treat the trail like a footpath that can get slippery in rocky stretches and muddy where it traverses grades. Before you commit to the day’s miles, scout the next few hundred meters for surface conditions and check for any current closures that affect the route through specific sections.

More information: Official website, Official website, Conditions