Although known predominantly for its Pennsylvania Dutch culture, the Gettysburg battlefield, and the cities of Harrisburg, Lancaster, and York, south central Pennsylvania is home to many tracts of public lands that offer a diverse array of hiking experiences. From the gentle farm country of Lancaster and York Counties, to the steep-sided ravines along the Susquehanna River, to the rugged ridges north of Harrisburg, and the rolling hills of South Mountain, you'll find hikes to suit about any taste and interest. 60 Hikes within 60 Miles:Harrisburg provides the first comprehensive hiking guide to the region. Each hike description features: Key information on length, hiking time, difficulty, configuration, scenery, traffic, trail surface, and accessibility Information on the history and natural of history of the areas the hikes pass through A detailed trail map and elevation profile Clear directions to the trailhead and trailhead GPS data Tips on nearby activities Whether you are a local looking for new places to explore, or a visitor in the area for business or pleasure, 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Harrisburg will provide plenty of options for outings lasting a full day to a couple of hours,all within about an hour's drive of Harrisburg and the surrounding communities.

In 1719, pioneer John Harris settled along the banks of the Susquehanna River and began a new era in the relationship between the inhabitants of what would later become the Greater Harrisburg area and a river that would provide them with economic opportunity, leisure, and sometimes misery. Spanning the Susquehanna in the 19th century were bridges that funneled raw materials and a growing workforce in the capital city, which thrived during the age of industry. However, the late 19th century brought a shift toward revitalization and beautification of the riverfront and islands with the construction of the Riverfront Steps, Dock Street Dam, beaches, parks, and gardens that were showcased through large public events such as the Kipona festival. This revitalization was again renewed in the late 20th century with the reimagining of City Island as an entertainment complex hosting concerts and sports franchises such as the minor-league baseball team the Harrisburg Senators.

Harrisburg was the capital of an increasingly urban and progressive Pennsylvania at the turn of the twentieth century, with the remnants of an older, more diverse city thriving in its midst. As the streets were paved for the first time and the new state capitol building rose over a humming industrial city ready to embrace change, Harrisburg's Eighth Ward clung to its rambunctious past. When the "Old Eighth" stood in the way of the new Capitol Park, one journalist asked his readers to take a stroll through the streets one last time. J. Howard Wert's "Passing of the Old Eighth" articles-awash in images of decrepitude and vice-appeared in the Harrisburg Patriot in 1912-1913 and introduced readers to such cheats, fools, and boozers as Harry Cook and "Billy Jelly." This volume presents the complete series of 35 articles chronicling the adventures of people who lived through some of the most sweeping changes in American history. More than 100 photographs-most never before published-evoke Wert's tales of a turbulent Harrisburg now long gone. Through the captivating, rarely objective voice of turn-of-the-century journalism, readers visit vanished churchyards, stroll the halls of forgotten hotels, and walk with the ghosts of gangs through crumbling alleys to brothels, gambling dens, and speakeasies. No history of Harrisburg can match this one for detailed stories of the successes and scandals of the city's "good old days." Noted educator, journalist, and Civil War veteran J. Howard Wert's articles bring to life the colorful characters and day-to-day grit and drama of his time. By turns pious, hard-nosed, and folksy, Wert's prose veers wildly among literary modes but never fails to entertain. A melding of nineteenth-century moral sensibility and modern appreciation for progress makes this work as accessible to today's readers as it was to Wert's contemporaries.