Appalachian Trail Guide: Parks and Public Lands
Appalachian Trail Highlights
- The Appalachian Trail (AT) is 2,178.3 miles long, stretching from Maine to Georgia, and passes through 14 states. The elevation gain and loss over the entire AT is equivalent to hiking from sea level to the summit of Mt. Everest and back to sea level... 16 times.
- Hiking the AT should not just be considered an isolated, hiker-vs-nature challenge, but also a chance to see small town America and meet people from all walks of life. What other hiking expeditions cross paths with coal miners from West Virginia, dairy farmers in Pennsylvania, Ivy League students in New Hampshire, ex-Wall Streeters in Connecticut, loggers in Maine, and reclusive Appalachian people in the secluded corners of the mountains?
- More than 90 percent of the thru-hikers head north from Georgia to Maine, though you can also flip-flop, dividing the route into two large sections; as long as you hike every mile, you're good.
- Section hikers chip away at the AT year after year, doing sections at a time. If every mile of the trail is hiked, section hikers are also considered part of the 2,000 mile club, or an AT thru-hiker.
- The AT is also a wonderland for day, weekend, and weeklong outings with stunning scenery and notable historical sites present in almost every state.
- Anyone considering a hike on the AT should pick up a copy of Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers' Companion (Appalachian Trail Conservancy), which combines the existing AT data book with historical and logistical information on the trail, including info on mileage, shelters, road crossings, water sources, and trail towns.
By Travel Expert:
Toby Gohn
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