Mid State Trail Guide and Maps

Part of Great Eastern Trail in Pennsylvania

Order t he latest 2008 11th Edition of the Mid State Trail Guide, and get the current ALL FULL COLOR maps here, to support PA's longest and wildest footpath!

This compact book is your essential companion to hiking Pennsylvania’s longest and wildest footpath, with information about distances in both directions, parking, water, camping, and a few tidbits about the nature and culture the trail passes. Descriptions give distances both ways using the same text, to save weight and bulk. The 11^th Edition describes crossing the entire waist of the Keystone State, from Maryland to New York. Please scroll down for several significant updates to the 11th edition and the maps in the printed set, or you will find yourself walking roads in several places instead of brand new off road trail!

Since 1973, MST guidebooks have exclusively used the metric system, leading the way in breaking America free from outdated colonial units of measure. Distances in the guidebook and on the official color maps are given in kilometers, and elevations in meters above sea level. If you think in other units you will need to adjust the given units accordingly.

Official Mid State Trail maps are vital to help point the way along our often surprisingly remote footpath. For many years, MSTA has published clear, accurate, waterproof black-and-white maps. The current maps our volunteers have produced are ALL FULL COLOR , now keyed to the current statewide extent of the trail, and fully metricated down to the contours and the UTM grid. If you have ordered a map and guide set from MSTA before September 2010 you will need to read closely the section-by-section map list below, to ensure you have the correct map for your intended destination on MST. From this web site you can order individual pieces to bring your collection current! The new map numbers track the new section numbers.

The maps for the north end (Sections 17 through 20) are NOT included in the guide and map set as they are not yet printed. Even if you bought the full map and guide set, you will need to scroll down to the section by section listing below to download these latest color maps for the north end!

Buying the guide and maps here on this web site contributes valuable financial support to keeping the MST open for all hikers . If you are looking to buy individual maps or just the guide, this is probably the only place you’ll get it!

Many outfitters and some bookstores in PA and nearby also offer the MST guide and map set on their virtual sites or their real stores. Please be aware outfitters and bookstores might not have the most current maps, whether in a walk-in store or online. In fact most purchase theirs for resale from a wholesaler not directly from MSTA. Accordingly MSTA cannot be responsible for ensuring that guide(s) and/or map(s) that you purchase from any source, other than directly from MSTA, is the most current as of when you buy it. Furthermore, your purchase is a one-time sale not a subscription, MSTA cannot be responsible for supplying you with more current information, except by ordering new pieces from us at the posted prices. Check your package against the list below, and order individual pieces from our links below if you need more up-to-date maps or guides.

Our volunteers are continuing to improve the footpath, so be sure to check this web page before you hike to be sure you have the most up-to-date official information. As soon as there is a temporary or permanent change in the MST route, look here for your best guidance.

The online updates assume you already have the most current printed information – so if you don’t, check the list below against your collection to see what pieces you need, and order today!

Please allow 4 weeks for our volunteers to fill your order - although it may come faster, especially if you use online ordering and not a check in the mail. If you have a concern or special need regarding ordering the maps and/or guide book feel free to contact us at sales@hike-mst.org

Questions, comments, assistance, and suggestions for the volunteers who work on the maps are welcome! E-mail gis@hike-mst.org

Order the 11th Edition Guide/Map SET (2008) with All Full Color Maps Online | Order the 11th Edition Guide By Itself Online

Printable Order Form to Send through US Mail

Mail Drop & Food Stores Table for Long Distance Backpackers (PDF)

Check the following list of Current Guide, Maps, Alerts (temporary changes), and Updates (permanent changes) by Section. There are several significant updates to the 11th Edition, please scroll down for the most current information.

The list is keyed to the 11th Edition section numbers which have changed from previous Guide editions !

Total length of MST is currently 522.6 km.

15 April 2012, NPF