Get Your Tail on the Trail: A NEPA Outdoor Challenge

This post is adapted from an article originally published in May 2021 on Discover NEPA‘s blog. It  was written by PEC’s Janet Sweeney and Imogen Wirth-Granlund, Program Coordinator at the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. 


Janet Sweeney, Vice President

It’s time to get your tail on the trail! No, I don’t mean your four-legged friends (although they’re welcome too). I mean you! Summer is here, so why not venture out and explore all the wonderful, close-to-home trails and parks in Northeastern Pennsylvania and earn some cool incentives at the same time?

Get Your Tail on the Trail is an award-winning program founded in 2013 by the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor and St. Luke’s University Health Network in the Lehigh Valley. In 2019, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council partnered with Get Your Tail on the Trail to launch the NEPA Chapter, which is growing with support from the City of Wilkes-Barre Health Department.

What exactly is this program, you ask? Well, in short, it’s an online exercise tracker and website with information and resources to help you find trails and stay healthy. Join our community and attend virtual and in-person fitness events, compete in challenges and earn incentives. We give away great trail gear, like fanny packs and lanterns.

Get Your Tail on the Trail is currently underway now through November 8. To complete the challenge, you’ll need to walk, bike, hike, run or paddle 165 miles. Why 165? That’s the length of the D&L Trail, which stretches from Wilkes-Barre to Bristol.

To join, all you have to do is register online and log your miles after each adventure, whether it’s in the mountains, on the river or even around the neighborhood. And make sure to follow us on Facebook and post your trail selfies with #NEPA165. We can’t wait to see all your adventures!

If you need some ideas, explore our NEPA Trails of the Month. One great option is the Luzerne County Levee Trail, which spans Wilkes-Barre, Hanover Township, Plymouth, Edwardsville, Kingston, Wyoming and Forty Fort. Ultimately, the trail will link to both the D&L Trail and the Susquehanna Warrior Trail. This historic 12-mile trail through the Wyoming Valley along the Susquehanna River is frequently enjoyed by runners, walkers, bikers, skaters and anglers.

At River Common in downtown Wilkes-Barre, you will find a marker for the Northern Terminus of the D&L Trail. From there, you can take a detour by downloading the Wilkes-Barre Walkitecture app to explore the historic buildings of the county seat and experience diverse cuisines.

So what are you waiting for? Go Get Your Tail on the Trail and share your trail selfies with hashtag #NEPA165.