The Appalachian Trail is a nearly 2200 mile continuous foot trail from Georgia to Maine taking you up some of the most amazing environments and outstanding views. It was started almost 100 years ago as a plan
For many a choice to take on the Appalachian Trail is a rebirth or re-orientation to life and is meant to remove oneself from the trappings of current society and be with people on a level ground while finding out who they are.
The A.T. is slowly becoming a cultural phenomenon for those looking to break out from normal life and to find themselves, typically started at a turning point in life.
Choosing to take the journey of the Appalachian Trail is a perfect way to push your limits and maybe break out of the funk of life, many of us feel unfulfilled at our lives and work and maybe what is needed is that time to reconnect with the world and humanity instead.
Lets take some time and uncover some more details about the Appalachian Trail that may help you to understand the journey you are looking to choose.
you should register your hike with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. It is not compulsory, however, all hikers should register. For more information from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, click here.
| Trail Length | 2189 miles |
| Managing Body | It is maintained by 31 different trail clubs and multiple partnerships, and managed by the National Park Service (NPS), United States Forest Service (USFS), along with the nonprofit Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC). |
| Southern Terminus | Springer Mountain in Georgia |
| Northern Terminus | Mount Katahdin in Maine |
| Lowest Point | 120' Above Sea Level at the Bear Den at the Zoo in NY |
| Highest Point | 6643' on Clingmans Dome |
| How Conceived | The trail was conceived by Benton MacKaye, a forester who wrote his original plan that was called "An Appalachian Trail, A Project in Regional Planning". |
| When Established | The AT became a National Scenic Trail in 1968 |
| When Completed | 1937 |
| Blazes (Marking) | Entire trail is white blazed from start to finish in both directions, NOBO or SOBO. |
| Side Blazes | Multiple Options Available |
| # of Shelters | The trail has more than 250 shelters and campsites located across the states that are available for hikers. |
| Horses On Trail | No |
| Bikes On Trail | No |
The data below is helpful for a thru hiker planning to leave and looking at planning their costs and the timeframe they can expect to be gone from their homes. This will help ensure you to make smart decisions based on your savings and estimations.
| Overall Mileage | The AT is roughly 2189 miles. |
| Average Duration | 5-6 months |
| Timeframe | February - October |
| Average Cost | $5,000, or roughly $1000 per month of travel |
| Travel Direction | Vast majority of thru hikers will choose to go NOBO |
| Permits Required? | No permit needed for the main trail, multiple parks do have requirements for their sections (see questions below) |
| First Thru Hike | xxxxx |
| Annual # of Thru Hikers | The number of thru-hikes per year has increased steadily each year. In 2017, 3,377 started at Springer Mountain and 685 finished at Katahdin (19% finish rate); 497 started in Maine and 133 finished in Georgia (27% finish rate). |
The Appalachian Trail can be broken into very distinct sections based on the state. Each link below will take you to the corresponding section below on that section to help you go where you need quick and easy. So what states does the Appalachian Trail run through then?
Trail Length: 95.7 miles (154.0 km)
Estimated Days:
Highest Point: 5498'
The North Carolina section of the A.T. rises to spectacular summits — including the 6,643-foot Clingmans Dome, the highest mountain on the A.T. — and drops into the dark and steep walls of the Nantahala River Gorge.
There are only 95.7 miles of the AT in North Carolina, but the Trail runs along the Tennessee/North Carolina border for many additional miles. As the AT ascends to the High Country of the state line, hikers traverse the highest mountains along the Trail, including several above 6,000 feet.
North Carolina brings along the Great Smoky Mountains which you’ll need an advance permit to enter but can be filled out in advance online. There is a cost of $20.00 per permit. The cost of the permit is non-refundable.
You may obtain an AT Thru-Hiker Permit up to 30 days in advance of the date you anticipate arriving in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You MUST have a paper copy on you.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxx
xxxxx
Points of Interest:
Trail Length: 71 miles (114 km)
Estimated Days:
Highest Point: Section that runs just below the summit of Clingmans Dome - 6,643 feet (2,025 m)
Tennessee’s stretch of the A.T., with its sun-dappled forests, broad unobstructed balds and high elevation summits carpeted in native grasses, helped inspire the Trail’s congressional designation as a National Scenic Trail.
There are 94 miles of the A.T. in Tennessee, but the Trail runs along the Tennessee/North Carolina border for 160 additional miles.
As the A.T. ascends to the High Country of the state line, hikers traverse the highest mountains along the Trail, including several above 6,000 feet.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxx
Points of Interest:
Trail Length: 550.3 miles (885.6 km)
Estimated Days:
Highest Point:
Virginia has the distinction of having more miles of the A.T. than any other state—nearly a quarter of the Trail’s entire length. The Trail also travels through the history-filled, rolling mountains of Shenandoah National Park.
More of the A.T. passes through Virginia than any other state, and views from overlooks reveal pastoral scenes that are a mix of forest and farmland.
In Shenandoah National Park, you can cross the A.T. more than 30 times without getting out of your car.
Shenandoah National Park, with 104 miles of well-maintained Trail and climbs rarely exceeding 500 or 1,000 feet, is great for beginners. Remember, though, that backcountry permits are required when camping in the park.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxx
Points of Interest:
Trail Length: 4 miles (6.4 km)
Estimated Days: 1-2 hours
Highest Point:
The West Virginia section of the A.T. passes through the heart of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, the site of John Brown’s Raid and notable Civil War battles.
Harpers Ferry is home to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters and Visitor Center, known as the “psychological halfway point” of the Appalachian Trail.
The path connecting the A.T. to the ATC passes through the campus of the former Storer College, created to provide education for freed enslaved people after the Civil War.
There is no camping in the town of Harpers Ferry or Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. However, there are a number of commercial campgrounds nearby, and there are a variety of places to stay in town, ranging from B&Bs, hostels, motels and an inn.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxx
Points of Interest:
Trail Length: 41 miles (66 km)
Estimated Days:
Highest Point:
You can begin or end your hike at hundreds of places between the Appalachian Trail’s northern and southern ends. Here’s what to expect in Maryland.
The Appalachian Trail in Maryland passes several historic sites, offers some of the Trail’s gentlest terrain, and features several lovely vistas.
The southernmost three miles follow the historic Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath along the Potomac River–the flattest three miles of the entire AT.
The whole state can be hiked in three to five days. Considered relatively easy by A.T. standards, Maryland is a good place to find out if you’re ready for more rugged parts of the Trail.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Camping is allowed only in designated overnight sites. The best times for hiking in Maryland are mid-April through mid-May (Memorial Day weekend is usually crowded) or late September through early November. Summer heat and humidity can occasionally be oppressive.
Points of Interest:
Trail Length: 229.6 miles (369.5 km)
Estimated Days:
Highest Point:
The A.T. in Pennsylvania plays an important role in showcasing America’s heritage and the state’s sweeping landscapes, passing historic landmarks and ascending to scenic heights along Kittatinny Ridge.
Pennsylvania’s nickname is “Rocksylvania,” but it’s not all rocks. The A.T. in Pennsylvania is famed for its rocky terrain, especially on the long, flat ridges north of the Susquehanna River.
Flat, rocky ridges broken by steep descents to rivers and gaps characterize the A.T. north of the Susquehanna.
Only thru-hikers (defined as those “walking the Appalachian Trail from point of beginning to an exit, which is not the place of beginning) may camp on Pennsylvania Game Commission lands, and these hikers must camp within 200 ft of A.T., at least 500 ft from a stream or spring.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxx
Points of Interest:
Trail Length: 72.2 miles (116.2 km)
Estimated Days:
Highest Point:
The A.T is in close proximity to New Jersey’s major cities, offering a quick escape for millions to enjoy gorgeous Appalachian scenery. The Trail travels through the Wallkill National Wildlife Reserve, where hikers will frequently see the state bird, the eastern goldfinch.
xxxx
xxxx
xxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxx
Points of Interest:
Points of Interest:
Points of Interest:
Points of Interest:
Points of Interest:
Points of Interest:
Points of Interest:
