Gettysburg History Hikes and Experiences
The American Battlefield Trust is proud to present our first-ever Gettysburg History Hikes and Experiences. These educational hikes, tours, and kids events, take participants across the most famous Civil War battlefield and are led by American Battlefield Trust historians, Licensed Battlefield Guides, and our friends at the Seminary Ridge Museum and Education Center.
You'll explore the fields of Pickett's Charge, climb the boulders of Devil's Den, and stand atop the key to the Federal position, Cemetery Hill. Peek inside of Lee's Headquarters, and take time with your kids, grandkids, nieces, and nephews to instill a passion for a past in the next generation.
Each hike has a registration fee associated with the session. The hikes and fees support American Battlefield Trust efforts, and 100% of the proceeds support Trust education efforts to make more videos, post more content, and to hold more events for kids and adults alike, but our September Generations event is FREE.
Sunday, June 2, 2024 | 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Hiking the Fishhook at Gettysburg
Type of Event: Hike
Meeting Location: Meet at the Visitors Center at 1195 Baltimore Pike, Gettysburg, PA 17325.
Cost: $85.00 Per Person
Exertion: This is truly a hike of some 8-9 miles with only brief stops. We will follow park trails that may include rocks, mud, branches, tree roots, and other obstacles. We will also follow along park roads that contain active vehicular traffic.
Description: There is no better way to see a battlefield than on the ground where it happened, and there is no better way to understand the second and third days at Gettysburg than hiking the length of the Union Fishhook. Join the Trust’s chief historian and licensed battlefield guide, Garry Adelman, and American Battlefield Trust deputy director of education, Kristopher White, for an epic hike of the Gettysburg Battlefield. We'll have photos, special guests, and maybe some surprises along the way.
This hike takes participants to and relates the fighting, photos, myth, and legend at the scenes of all the famous fights south and east of Gettysburg including Devil’s Den, the Wheatfield, Peach Orchard, Cemetery Ridge, Culp’s Hill and Little Round Top (if reopened).
Friday, August 16, 2024 | 8:30 am – 1:00 pm
Hiking the Fields of Pickett's Charge
Type of Event: Hike
Meeting Location: Virginia Memorial. Please park in designated areas along West Confederate Ave. between the Virginia and North Carolina State Memorials.
Cost: $55.00 Per Person
Exertion: This four-mile hiking tour will take participants from the Virginia Memorial to the North Carolina Memorial, across the fields of Pickett’s Charge to the High Water Mark following National Park Service paths and roadways.
Description: The field of Pickett’s Charge hosted the most famous attack in American History… and “on great fields, something stays.” Today, the stories of the participants are legend, and the great field has not only stayed with soil, fences, and undulations, but a lot was added—monuments, tents, POWs, trails, tanks, railways, a swimming pool, and layers upon layers of history spanning the Civil War, the World Wars, and more. Join Trust historians Garry Adelman and Kristopher White for a full treatment of the famous field and that which transpired there, from private land to battleground, training ground, prison ground, (a buffet aground) to hallowed ground! Expect stories, photos, fighting, and folklore.
Saturday, September 7, 2024 | 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Pickett's Charge:-A Family Generations Event
Type of Event: Free Generations Event
Meeting Location: Please park in designated areas along West Confederate Ave. near the North Carolina State Memorial.
Cost: Free
Exertion: This event will entail up to two-miles of walking will take participants from the North Carolina Memorial across the fields of Pickett’s Charge to the High Water Mark following National Park Service paths and roadways.
Description: Bring your kids, grandkids, neighbors, and friends and march in the footsteps of your ancestors and help to instill in young people a lifelong passion for history. Join the American Battlefield Trust at Gettysburg for this special “Generations” event, designed to help adults share their passion for history with younger people.
More than a century and a half ago, 12,000 Confederate soldiers assaulted the center of the Union line at Gettysburg in the most famous attack of the Civil War. Today, this event is commonly known as "Pickett’s Charge," named after the commander of one of the Confederate division leaders.
Outmaneuver your opponent, wear a kepi, and learn about one of the most famous charges in American military history. The event is free and open to all who come with someone of another generation.
The event is free and open to all but is geared toward kids. The ideal ages are 6-17.
Featuring:
- The school of the soldier
- Outflank your opponent!
- Pickett's Charge
- Family Fun!
Lunch is not provided on this tour.
Saturday, October 5, 2024 | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Seminary Ridge: Where Fates Collided
Type of Event: Walking Tour
Cost: $15.00 Per Person
Exertion: Please expect up to 1.5 miles of walking and standing on mostly level terrain and paths. Participants will have to cross the Chambersburg Pike to access each location.
Meeting Location: Meet at the Seminary Ridge Museum and Education Center, 61 Seminary Ridge, Gettysburg, PA 17325.
Description: Join the American Battlefield Trust and the staff of the Seminary Ridge Museum and Education Center for a half day on Seminary Ridge.