Back on the trail: Group hikes restart in Western Pa.

It’s safe to go hiking in groups again, at least for some groups.

State restrictions for the prevention of covid-19 on group activities have prohibited group hikes since mid-March.

However, with Allegheny and surrounding counties moving into the green phase allowing a number of public activities, local groups are offering guided hikes and other outdoor activities again.

The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania announced it will begin offering nature hikes this week at its Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve in Fox Chapel, Succop Nature Park in Butler and Todd Nature Reserve in South Buffalo.

Allegheny County Parks started offering guided hikes with rangers and naturalists and other outdoor programs last week but are limiting attendance to 20 participants or less.

Venture Outdoors began offering hikes and other program since the beginning of June.

Audubon, county parks and others who are offering outdoor programs stress they are requiring masks and social distancing.

Allegheny County Parks plan to offer more programs throughout the summer, said Kevin Evanto, parks spokesman.

In North Park, Venture Outdoors opened Kayak Pittsburgh on June 12, and L.L.Bean is starting its programming on June 27, Evanto said.

The Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy has cancelled its hikes, including the infamous one-day, 35-mile long Rachel Carson Challenge this year.

However, the Conservancy wants residents to still hike the trail and now offers a “plan-a-hike” feature on its webpage offering up 420 possible hikes.

“The main purpose is to encourage people to explore sections of the trail they’ve never seen before,” said Steve Mentzer, vice president and events director for the Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy.

Pennsylvania state parks are opening up its parks to programming this week in counties that are designated in the green phase for covid-19 restrictions. But hiking events are determined by each park. Check your state park or forest lands to see if they are offering hikes.