This year marks a significant milestone for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Allegheny Trail in Pocahontas County. Since its inception in 1974, the Allegheny Trail (or ALT) has been mainly a footpath. Today it is used by backpackers, day hikers, anglers, hunters and mountain bikers. These users seek one-of-a-kind experiences like the stunning vistas in Seneca State Forest, the Dark Skies viewing in Watoga State Park, the history of timber and trains industry at Cass State Park, along with the Green Bank Observatory, the largest steerable telescope in the world! This trail has something for everyone.
Stretching 86 miles across the rugged timberland of Pocahontas County’s Monongahela National Forest, the ALT offers a unique blend of challenge and tranquility for hikers of all types. From its inception, the trail has been a testament of community support, the unyielding spirit of adventure that defines West Virginia, and selflessness shared, as the primary stewards of the 311-mile trail are the all-volunteer nonprofit of West Virginia Scenic Trails Association.
To commemorate this momentous occasion, the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Allegheny Trail will be held on the Green Bank Observatory grounds in Green Bank, WV, on Sept. 6 through 8. The weekend will consist of workshops, live music, the ALT short-film premier. Ticket prices include free tent camping, dinners, and music.
These events will celebrate not only the trail itself, but also the people and organizations that have worked tirelessly to maintain and preserve it over the previous five decades.
“We are thrilled to celebrate 50 years of the Allegheny Trail here in Pocahontas County,” said Nicole Flood-Sawczyszyn, the Outreach Coordinator of the West Virginia Trails Association. “This trail holds a special place in the hearts of hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, and this anniversary is a testament to the enduring beauty and spirit of adventure that defines West Virginia.”
Everyone is encouraged to join in the festivities, which will also include guided hikes, educational programs on local flora and fauna, history of the ALT, an ALT Founders Q and A panel, campfire storytelling and music. The weekend event will not only honor the past, but also inspire future generations to connect with nature and explore the wonders of West Virginia’s longest hiking trail – the Allegheny Trail.
For more information on the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Allegheny Trail in Pocahontas County, please visit https://www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/AlleghenyTrail50thCelebration, or email Nicolle Flood-Sawczyszyn at nicolle@wvscenictrails.org.
About the Allegheny Trail:
The Allegheny Trail is a 311-mile north-south trail from the Mason-Dixon Line at the Pennsylvania-West Virginia border until it meets the Appalachian Trail on Peters Mountain at the Virginia-West Virginia border. The Allegheny Trail was a dream born by two avid backpackers who wished for a long-distance hiking trail through the wild and wonderful mountain state. The idea was to branch off the 4 miles of the Appalachian Trail that passed through West Virginia to show off the beauties and natural wonders of the state. Winding through the picturesque landscapes of Pocahontas County, WV, the trail was established in 1974, by the West Virginia Scenic Trails Association. The ALT is maintained by dedicated volunteers and offers hikers an immersive experience in the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the Allegheny mountains of Appalachia.
