Cashtown-McKnightstown, a region in Adams County, Pennsylvania, offers a diverse landscape for outdoor activities. The area is characterized by extensive oak woodlands, rocky ridgelines, and paths that follow reservoirs and streams, primarily within Michaux State Forest. Its proximity to Gettysburg National Military Park also provides unique trails that blend natural beauty with historical significance. This varied terrain supports several sports like hiking, jogging, and road cycling.
Cashtown-McKnightstown provides numerous routes for outdoor enthusiasts across several…
34
Routes
4.3
(11)
Average rating
135
People visited

5.0
(1)
17
hikers
10.0km
02:57
330m
170m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
6
hikers
16.3km
04:42
430m
270m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(3)
8
hikers
7.69km
02:04
100m
100m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.5
(2)
8
hikers
11.1km
03:12
270m
270m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

6
runners
7.69km
00:56
100m
100m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

6
runners
8.20km
01:00
110m
110m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5
runners
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
runners
16.6km
02:04
470m
470m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

1
riders
73.5km
03:41
900m
910m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

84.4km
04:02
900m
900m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

4.0
(1)
3
riders
28.6km
01:34
390m
390m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
Cashtown-McKnightstown offers diverse outdoor activities including hiking, jogging, and road cycling. The region features extensive oak woodlands, rocky ridgelines, and paths along reservoirs and streams, primarily within Michaux State Forest. Trails also extend into historic Gettysburg National Military Park.
More than 100 visitors have shared experiences for routes in Cashtown-McKnightstown on komoot. These routes have an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars across various sports.
Michaux State Forest offers several hiking trails. The Long Pine Run Reservoir loop is a moderate 4.8-mile (7.7 km) trail with minimal elevation change. The Abigail Trail Loop is a 6.9-mile (11.1 km) path winding through the forest. The Rocky Knob Trail loop is a 9.8-mile (15.8 km) route offering forested terrain and valley views.
Gettysburg National Military Park provides trails that combine natural beauty with historical sites. The Big Round Top Trail is a 0.6-mile (1 km) path offering a leisurely stroll past monuments. Devil's Den, below Little Round Top, features massive boulders used for strategic defense.
The Cashtown-McKnightstown area includes trails suitable for families. The Big Round Top Trail in Gettysburg National Military Park is a short, educational 0.6-mile (1 km) path. The Long Pine Run Reservoir loop in Michaux State Forest is a moderate 4.8-mile (7.7 km) trail with minimal elevation change.
Dogs are generally permitted on trails within Michaux State Forest, provided they are leashed. In Gettysburg National Military Park, leashed dogs are allowed on trails and roads, but not inside buildings or the National Cemetery.
Komoot offers several guides for the region. These include Hiking around Cashtown-McKnightstown, Running Trails around Cashtown-McKnightstown, and Road Cycling Routes around Cashtown-McKnightstown.
Parking is available at various trailheads throughout Michaux State Forest. Specific parking regulations and locations can be found on the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) website for Michaux State Forest.
The Cashtown-McKnightstown area offers enjoyable hiking during spring, summer, and fall. Autumn is particularly popular for viewing fall foliage in Michaux State Forest. Spring provides pleasant temperatures and blooming flora.
Cashtown and McKnightstown are distinct CDPs within Franklin Township, Adams County, PA. The official website for Franklin Township is www.franklintwp.us. The Franklin Township office can be reached at (717) 642-8316.
The broader South Mountain region, which includes parts of Michaux State Forest, is traversed by the Appalachian Trail. Sections of this trail offer varied and challenging terrain for experienced hikers. The Rocky Knob Trail loop, at 9.8 miles (15.8 km), also presents a longer forested route.

