TAKE A HIKE: Hikers can pick their pace and path through Pennsylvania’s bountiful outdoors by taking part in any of a variety of organized hikes across the state as part of Hiking Week 2014, which begins today.

For those of you who are blazing your own trail by organizing your own hike with friends or family — we would love to hear about your trek! Write in and tell us your favorite trails, near or in a remote part of the Pennsylvania Wilds, and what makes them so special.

Those who wish to take part in the celebration of hiking Pennsylvania with a group, the nine-day “week” offers close to 100 organized hikes and concludes on June 1.

Now in its 13th year, Pennsylvania Hiking Week is co-sponsored by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and the Keystone Trails Association. 

“Pennsylvania Hiking Week is a great time to explore the commonwealth’s numerous hiking trails,” said DCNR Secretary Ellen Ferretti. “Whether you like to hike alone or with a group, spring is a beautiful time of year in Penn’s Woods.

“The ‘welcome mat’ is out to novices and trail-hardened veterans alike, inviting them to hike in our state parks, forests and municipal greenways in this annual salute to healthy exercise and the serenity of those very special outdoor places,” Ferretti said.

Special events planned by DCNR and the Keystone Trails Association will take place in parks, forests, cities and towns across the state. All of the scheduled hikes have leaders and include a variety of lengths and terrain — from easy strolls along urban greenways to strenuous treks in some of Pennsylvania’s rugged mountain areas.

Special hikes include night hikes and wildflower, pet and geology walks.

To see a list of hikes, or submit a Hiking Week event, visit www.ExplorePAtrails.com.

Here in Bradford, the Tuna Valley Trail Association offers the location of its many trails, as well as maps, at tunavalleytrail.com.

Hiking can also be done locally through the Allegheny National Forest or Allegany State Park.