By Michele Cook

On November 8, 2025, we—Chris, Theresa, and I—completed an unforgettable journey: hiking the entire Horse–Shoe Trail in Pennsylvania. Over the course of 14 day hikes, we covered 140 miles, with hikes ranging from 6 to 16 miles. Every step brought something new, and every mile brought a story of nature, history, and friendship. 

Trail Overview

The trail stretches from Valley Forge National Historical Park in the east to Clarks Valley near the Appalachian Trail in the west, winding through six counties. Along the way, you’ll pass state and county parks, Pennsylvania State Game Lands, conserved lands on rural roads, charming country lanes and wooded trails. The terrain is mostly gentle, rolling hills—perfect for hikers who love variety without extreme climbs.

Navigating the Trail 

The trail is well-marked with yellow blazes—2-inch wide by 6-inch vertical rectangles—painted on trees, rocks, and tall wooden markers at key intersections. There are also some unique markers such as fun signs, yellow horseshoes and arrows. While cell service is generally available, it’s wise to follow best practices: bring essentials, tell someone where you will be and when you will be back and carry a trail map, available from the Horse-Shoe Trail Conservancy. 

Examples of Horse-Shoe Trail signage. Photo credit Theresa Stickler.

A Diverse Trail 

What makes the Horse-Shoe Trail truly special is its diversity.
Picture rolling farmlands, historic homes, and quiet rural roads. Theresa especially loved the architecture in the Eastern Section—it felt like walking through a living museum. Then a shift into woodlands and serene game lands and then walks along the road to Hershey, PA. Each hike revealed its own surprises – whether it was a weathered barn, towering trees, an old cemetery, a serene pond, even a huge goat, and flowers –we always stop and for a photograph of the flowers.  

More Horse-Shoe Trail markers and sign posts. Photo credit Theresa Stickler.

Unforgettable Moments 

Some highlights from our journey: 

  • Fragrant forests near Clarks Valley that felt like stepping into a storybook. 
  • A free little library tucked along the trail—yes, I grabbed a book! 
  • Girl Scouts selling cookies at a road crossing, a sweet surprise that fueled our hike. 
  • The Tail Maintainers who stopped us to describe their magnificent work— a big THANK YOU, we wouldn’t have been able to access that section without you.   
  • The joy of piecing together the trail one day at a time. 

Final Thoughts 

Completing the Horse-Shoe Trail wasn’t just about logging miles—it was about the moments, the landscapes, and the sense of accomplishment that comes from persistence and exploration. If you’re looking for a trail that blends history, nature, and community, the Horse-Shoe Trail is waiting for you. If you have a desire to be an end to ender, visit the Horse-Shoe Trail Conservancy to get your map and guidebook with helpful parking information, trail highlights and mileage.  

End of the Horse-Show Trail. 121 miles from its origin at Valley Forge. This marker erected 1974 in memory of Cyrus C. Sturgis, Jr. (1914 – 1971) – Linguist, translator, editor, trail companion par excellence. Photo credit Theresa Stickler.