Midway up the Appalachian Trail, a little country store in Gardners, Pennsylvania, invites hikers to take on an additional challenge: eating a half-gallon of ice cream in one sitting.

Cory Kolodji grew up in Baltimore; it had been his dream to hike the trail that traverses 14 states. But then things got in the way.

History buffs and nature lovers alike will find plenty to pique the senses on this scenic hiking trails that stretches from ...