The latest trail developments, announcements, and inspiring stories from the 9/11 National Memorial Trail community.
Get trail news delivered to your inbox — subscribe to The Trailblazer
The first wayfinding signs installed under Governor Josh Shapiro’s statewide initiative for the September 11th National Memorial Trail were installed in Allentown, marking the beginning of a statewide effort to establish a clearly signed memorial route across the Commonwealth ahead of the 25th anniversary of September 11.
Read Full Article
On Wednesday, June 24, as cyclists participating in the 2026 9/11 National Memorial Trail Bike Tour made their way through Schuylkill County during the 25th anniversary year of September 11, the Schuylkill County Board of Commissioners formally recognized the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance and reaffirmed the County's commitment to advancing the 9/11 National Memorial Trail and the future Anthracite Connector Trail. Alliance Board of Directors member Adrienne Fors was present to accept the proclamation on behalf of the organization.
Read More →
One week into the 2026 9/11 National Memorial Trail Tour, cyclists have already reached one of the journey's most meaningful milestones: the Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
Read More →
As the nation approaches the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, a years-long community effort in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, has reached a major milestone. A critical 7.7-acre parcel of former Norfolk Southern property in Portage has been acquired for future development of the September 11th National Memorial Trail, helping advance plans for a safer and more connected off-road route through the region.
Read More →
Alliance President, Jeffery McCauley, recently joined Bill Flanagan at WPXI-TV News in Pittsburgh to discuss the continued growth and national significance of the September 11th National Memorial Trail as the country approaches the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
Read More →
Local leaders and national advocates gathered on April 30, 2026, just outside the Borough of Garrett in Pennsylvania, to break ground on the newest segment of the September 11th National Memorial Trail. This project marks a significant milestone in a nearly three-year effort to expand the 1,500+ mile trail network that connects the three national 9/11 memorial sites.
Read More →
Representatives from the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance traveled to Capitol Hill on April 29, 2026, to participate in the 2026 Hill Day hosted in partnership with the National Park Foundation.
Read More →
Advisory Board Member Mike Dannemiller joined WUSA9 for a televised interview across the Washington, D.C., and greater DMV region, highlighting the Alliance's mission and the growing impact of the 9/11 National Memorial Trail.
Read More →Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro announced nearly $40 million in statewide investments to support major events and destinations, including $639,300 for the 9/11 Trail expansion in Somerset County. This funding will support the completion of the 20-mile extension of the 9/11 National Memorial Trail, connecting the Great Allegheny Passage to the Flight 93 National Memorial.
Read More
The September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance, in partnership with the Cambria County Conservation and Recreation Authority, has been awarded funding through the Federal Lands Access Program to support the design and engineering of a new segment of the Path of the Flood Trail in Cambria County, Pennsylvania.
Read More →Trail advocate Mike Dannemiller joined host Steve Bartel on February 22, 2026, for a wide-ranging interview broadcast across two major NYC iHeart Media stations - Q104.3 (Classic Rock) and 103.5 WKTU-FM (Adult Contemporary) - reaching millions of listeners across the New York metro area.
Read More →Pennsylvania Act 25 of 2024 originated as House Bill 1097, authored by Rep. Jim Haddock. There was no separate Senate bill—HB 1097 passed both chambers and was signed by Governor Shapiro on June 17, 2024. The law requires schools to observe a moment of silence on 9/11 and directs the Department of Education to create optional curriculum materials about the attacks.
Read More
Craig Martin, a Lancaster, PA resident, cycled the entire 9/11 National Memorial Trail, documenting his journey and reflections.
This milestone event announced the further development of key sections of the 9/11 National Memorial Trail at the three National Parks in Western Pennsylvania, including the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, Johnstown Flood National Memorial, and Flight 93 National Memorial. New infrastructure, including bicycle racks, designated bicycle lanes, and 9/11 Trail signage, is now in place to welcome and guide trail users.
Read MoreOpenStreetMap US published a guest blog post by Alliance Communications Coordinator Leanne Janowski and OSM contributor Steve All on the collaborative effort to map the 1,787-mile trail into OpenStreetMap. The article walks through the multi-state mapping process — starting with a GPX file, building out state-by-state coverage in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and stitching 13 constituent pieces together via a super-relation — and invites cyclists, hikers, and mappers to help fill in the route's amenities through the OSM US Tasking Manager.
Read More
DCNR secretary Cindy Adams Dunn officially designated the 9/11 National Memorial Trail as a Statewide Major Greenway.
New Jersey will purchase 135 acres of former railway to create a nine-mile greenway in northern New Jersey.
President Biden signed H.R. 2278 in Oval Office, designating the trail 'a trail route linking the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City, the Pentagon Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, and the Flight 93 National Memorial.'
On Friday, April 30, 2021, Somerset County and the September 11th National Memorial Trail Alliance held a ribbon-cutting event to kick off the newest segment of the 9/11 National Memorial Trail in Garrett, PA.
Read More →Jan Walker, 61, was the first to complete the virtual 9/11 National Memorial Trail challenge.
Subscribe to our Trailblazer newsletter for updates on trail developments, upcoming events, and inspiring stories.
