Montgomery County officials announced that registration for the 9th Annual Montco Trail Challenge is now open.
The Challenge’s goal is to visit as many parks and trails as possible within the timeframe and record the trail symbol as “proof” of being there. Once completed, participants can submit their entries online or drop their completed card at the five drop box locations in the county. All entries must be received by December 6.
Participants can track their visits to select Montgomery County trails between April 27 to December 2. Awards can be earned by completing visits to five, 10, or 15 participating trails. Participant awards will be mailed in December after the end of the 2024 Trail Challenge.
A kickoff event for the 2024 Montco Trail Challenge is scheduled for Saturday, April 27 from 10:00am to 12:00pm at Lorimer Park, 183 Moredon Road, in Huntingdon Valley. The public is invited to attend this event to visit with area organizations and receive a free children’s bike helmet while supplies last. The event will also feature bike safety resources, healthy snacks, and more. Event flyers are available in English and Spanish.
“We continually work to expand and maintain Montgomery County’s impressive trail network so that residents across the County can enjoy greater access to beautiful, natural spaces and family-friendly activities in their communities,” said Jamila H. Winder, Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “In 2024, we hope to see more community members than ever before on our trails, especially first-timers.”
In 2023, the Montco Trail Challenge drew participants from the surrounding region and saw over 1,300 participants from a few months old to 87 years old.
“The Montco Trail Challenge is a fun, healthy, and free way for our residents and their families to explore the County’s great open spaces this year,” said Neil Makhija, Montgomery County Commissioner. “Whether you are hiking, training, or simply strolling with loved ones, I encourage everyone to traverse as many of our trails as possible this year.”
The 2023 Montco Trail Challenge survey showed that 90% of respondents visited a new park or trail, and 63% learned something new about their community. The Trail Challenge also encouraged participants to get active, with 7% of survey takers saying they walked more, 21% biked more, and 13% ran more. Overall, 65% of survey respondents said they improved their physical health, and 76% improved their mental health.
“We are fortunate to live within the County’s large network of well-kept, scenic trails,” said Thomas DiBello, Montgomery County Commissioner. “This year’s Trail Challenge allows residents to experience the beauty in their own backyards.”
For a full list of trails and a map for the 2024 Montco Trail Challenge, you can click here.
To register, you can click here.
The Montco Trail Challenge is a partnership between the Montgomery County Office of Public Health, Planning Commission, Parks, Trails, and Historic Sites, and the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. It is funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Community Traffic Safety Project (CTSP) Grant.
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