Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail camping shelters are available to overnight long-distance hikers and casual campers. Shelter areas are off Route 56, Route 271, Route 30, Linn Run Road, Route 31, Grindle Ridge near Seven Springs Resort, Route 653, Maple Summit Road and six miles north of Ohiopyle. Stays are limited to one night. Firewood is provided; drinking water is not available at some sites. Pre-registration is required. Call 724-455-3744.
Cross-country ski trails at Laurel Ridge State Park off Route 653 east of Normalville (724-455-3744), at Kooser State Park on Route 31 at Bakersville (1-814-445-8673), and at Ohiopyle State Park at Ohiopyle (724-329-8591).
"Big woods" deer and bear hunting accessible by LHHT on State Game Lands 42 in Cambria and Westmoreland counties, State Game Lands 111 in Somerset County and Forbes State Forest. For information call the Pennsylvania Game Commission Southwest Regional Office at 724-238-9523.
Approved snowmobile routes at Linn Run State Park off Route 381 at Rector (724-238-6623), Laurel Hill State Park off Route 31 at Somerset (1-814-445-7724), and Ohiopyle State Park at Ohiopyle (724-329-8591).
Scenic views from the LHHT at Ohiopyle (3 miles north of trail's end), Beam Rock off Laurel Summit Road south of Route 30, and above the Conemaugh Gorge 4 miles south of Route 56.
Dining, music, night-life, souvenir, crafts and local foods shopping in Ohiopyle. "We always hike the trail north-to-south because we like to end up in Ohiopyle," said hiker Roger Baker of Huntsville, Ala. "There's a lot to do there while we're waiting for our ride to pick us up."
Looking for more from the Post-Gazette? Join PG+, our members-only web site. You'll get exclusive sports content, opinion, financial information, discounts from retailers and restaurants, and more. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.