Tens of thousands of outdoor enthusiasts will be hitting the trail on June 1 as they celebrate the American Hiking Society's 21st National Trails Day. Event attendees will be hiking, pedaling and paddling through some of America's most beautiful areas as part of the celebration. National Trails Day is devoted to appreciating America's trails and the hardworking individuals who build and maintain them.

In honor of this day, thousands of public events will be hosted nationwide, many along the Lehigh River corridor with events coordinated by the D&L, Wildlands Conservancy, Greater Hazleton Rails to Trails, Friends of the Allentown Parks, and Hawk Mountain Sanctuary.AllentownJoin Friends of the Allentown Parks with Tom Gettings of the Wildlands Conservancy for a Scenic Trail Walk at the historic Lehigh Mountain/Walking Purchase Park. View the ruins of a 1700s homestead and hike the trails of the Uplands and the Lowlands. Enjoy the sights and sounds of 700 acres of beautiful forests in the heart of the Lehigh Valley. Meeting point is a parking area located on Constitution Avenue inside the park. Additional details:

www.allentownparks.org under Events and Programs/2013 Discovery Walks. Consider wearing waterproof hiking boots and bring insect repellant. Directions: From South 4th Street travel westbound on Susquehanna Street, turn left onto Constitution Ave and continue straight into the park. RSVP is requested although not required. From 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Contact:

kfister@wildlandspa.org; 610-965-4397 ext. 135.BethlehemExplore the Lehigh River corridor in canoes and on bikes with Wildlands Conservancy's Bike & Boat Adventures! Equipment is provided and all trips include beginner instruction, and led by professional guides. Bike on the D&L Trail from Sand Island in Bethlehem to Canal Park in Allentown and paddle a canoe on the Lehigh River Water Trail back to our destination while celebrating our local trails that connect us to nature. Trips are easy, fun, and focus on the unique ecosystem and the fascinating history that surrounds the Lehigh River. Minimum age is 10. Everyone must pre-register. Space is limited, Fee required. National Trails Day! Bike & Boat Saturday, June 1 - 10:00 a.m. Contact:

dmotel@wildlandspa.org; 610-965-4397 x118.BethlehemJoin Cathy Reuscher, Mid-Atlantic Policy Associate, and John Brunner, Mid-Atlantic Recreation Planner of the Appalachian Mountain Club, on National Trails Day for a relaxed three-mile loop hike on the Bethlehem Greenway and the D & L Trail, starting at the Northampton Community College Fowler Family Southside Center at 11 a.m. This is a perfect hike for first-time hikers and families with children, with a unique combination of natural and urban landscapes. Along the way, we'll learn more about Pennsylvania Highlands history and environment, and discuss progress on the Pennsylvania Highlands Trail Network. Bring a brown bag lunch or money to buy something from one of the many businesses along the Greenway - a number of them have signed up as PA Highlands Trail Network Partners! Registration is required. Meet at the Fowler Family Center 511 East Third Street, Bethlehem. To register for the hike, RSVP Cathy at

cfrankenberg@gmail.com; 610-868-6903.FreemansburgInterpretive 5-mile bike ride from the Route 33 boat launch in Bethlehem Township to the Freemansburg Canal Education Center. Riders meet at 9:30 a.m. The ride concludes at Lock 44 in Freemansburg, to meet canal boat mules, Hank and George, and where costumed guides will talk about Freemansburg's canal history. There will be kids' games, and free pound cake topped with ice cream and fresh strawberries. The open house is from 10:30 a.m. to noon. There is limited parking behind the Willow Grove Hotel. Contact Loretta Susen at

loretta@delawareandlehigh.org; 610-923-3548 x221.HazletonThe tenth Annual Hike and Bike event on this National Recreation Trail starts with participants riding or hiking for an hour. Its a way of introducing people to the Greater Hazleton Rails to Trails and Celebrating National Trails Day. Children who need bike helmets are given new ones and taught how to properly fit them. After the exercise, participants are treated to a free picnic, environmental displays, dog treats, bike tune-ups, health related tests, and information. Meet at Greater Hazleton Rails to Trails Intersection of PA SR 424 & SR 93 in Hazle Township. NOTE: Date is June 8, Not June 1, from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Contact:

civic@hazletonchamber.org; 570-455-1509.Jim ThorpeAdults and children are invited to join a 2.8-mile run or walk on the D&L Trail with D&L Executive Director, Elissa Garofalo. Bill Moyer, president of St. Luke's Hospital - Miners Campus is leading a run. Kim Sargent will be leading a walk on the trail along with Temple - St. Luke's Medical Students & St. Luke's Residents as part of the Black Diamond Weekend. The event begins at 9 a.m. at the Carbon County Trailhead in Jim Thorpe and ends at the Nesquehoning Trestle. Free parking at the Carbon County Parking Lot for participants until 9:15 a.m. The St. Luke's Healthstar van will be onsite. Visit

http://ow.ly/ldukh for more information and

http://tailonthetrail.org/ for news about the new D&L/St. Luke's wellness program.KemptonHawk Mountain Sanctuary, 1700 Hawk Mountain Road, Kempton, PA. Full day guided hike from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. along eight miles of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary's trail system. Preregistration required. Contact

education@hawkmountain.org; 610-756-6961.SlatingtonLehigh Gap Nature Center, 8844 Paint Mill Rd. in Slatington, will serve as the site for a variety of environmental programs for adults and kids as well as a starting point for an interpretive bike ride on the D&L Trail to Slatington. Visitors can take part in an insect safari and bird watching hike, and view pond life in a microscope or walk around LGNC's native plant gardens and see the new green roof. Activities from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Sherry Acevedo at

sherry@delawareandlehigh.org.White HavenVan tour of the newest section of the D&L Trail will begin at the White Haven Area Public Library and Visitors Center, 99 Towanda Street in White Haven at 9 a.m. After a tour of the new library and visitors center (the former Lehigh Valley Railroad Engine House). Participants will board a van and head north on the new Black Diamond Section of the D&L Trail. There is a limit of 17 people for the tour; registration is required at

http://ow.ly/lduHs. The tour, which ends at 11:30 a.m. at the library, includes a one-mile walk on the trail near the new Black Diamond Trailhead. Refreshments and baked goods will be provided. Contact

silas@delawareandlehigh.org.