The 8-mile approach to the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.
The renowned Appalachian Trail stretches for 2,200 miles along an entire mountain range, across 14 states in the Eastern USA.
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The Appalachian Trail (often referred to as simply the "AT") is one of the most famous long-distance hiking trails in the world, and certainly the most well known in the United States. This impressive footpath begins in the Southeast, in the state of Georgia, and finishes in the Northeast in Maine, following the spine of the Appalachian mountain range. Though anyone can hike sections of the AT at will, the ultimate achievement is to thru-hike the 2,200 miles from end to end in one journey.
Such a feat requires 5-7 months on the trail, not to mention prior months of planning that must be done. For the hundreds of people who complete the thru-hike every year, however, the payoff is well worth the work.
Hikers of the entire AT get to experience all of the best mountain scenery that the eastern U.S. has to offer. The trail summits many of the tallest mountains in the eastern part of the continent, including 6,643-foot Clingmans Dome on the Tennessee-North Carolina border and the wind-whipped summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire at 6,288 feet.
Though not as tall nor as steep as the mountains of the American West, the slopes and summits of the Appalachians are uniquely varied, with everything from dense temperate forest to barren alpine tundra. The hiking is notoriously difficult in some stretches, with endless roots and rocks to contend with, and anywhere along the trail can be subject to mud and miserable weather. In the eastern U.S., it can rain for days on end at any time of year.
Consequently, a thru-hike of the AT is a truly monumental accomplishment. The majority of people who backpack on this trail do not hike the entirety of the AT in one go, but instead choose one of its many distinct sections to do as day hikes or multi-day trips. Some people make it a goal to “section hike” the entire AT, covering all its miles over the course of multiple trips.
Backpackers on the Appalachian Trail carry all their own gear and camp backcountry style. There are shelters positioned incrementally along the trail, but space within the shelters is first come, first served only. While it is possible to hike the entire AT and save weight by staying only in shelters, such a strategy is risky because you may not be able to get to a shelter by nightfall or during bad weather, and even when you arrive it may be full. Most hikers carry enough gear to be fully self-sufficient.
No specific permit or registration is required to hike the AT or to camp along it, with the exception of camping permits required in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Shenandoah National Park. Camping and campfire regulations may vary by location and season along the trail as well. Planning for such particulars is part of the complicated logistics for a long hike on the AT. Other considerations include what to pack, what time of year to go, resupply points, and transportation to and from the trail.
The majority of thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail begin at Springer Mountain in Georgia (the southern terminus) in March or April and finish at Mount Katahdin in Maine (the northern terminus) in August or September. This schedule maximizes warm weather. Some start in the north, however. Others elect to start somewhere in the middle, finish at one end, then travel back to hike the other half. This strategy allows for easier terrain, and frequent resupplies early in the trip, and thinner crowds along the trail.
For a full Appalachian Trail map complete with detailed section maps, dive deep into this guidebook!
Sources:
http://www.appalachiantrail.org/home/explore-the-trail/thru-hiking
http://www.appalachiantrail.org/home/explore-the-trail/explore-by-state
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_Trail
The 8-mile approach to the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.
The southern terminus for the world-renowned Appalachian Trail.
An AT segment through remote North Georgia Wilderness.
The Appalachian Trail crosses into North Carolina and summits the first peaks over 5,000 feet.
A beautiful trek across Wayah and Wesser Balds.
A remote stretch connecting two iconic landmarks via the summit of Cheoah Bald.
The approach to Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The second half of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The trek to Max Patch Mountain, a bald, grassy summit with 360° views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
An AT segment with a ridgeline traverse, bald summits, and extensive history.
A shorter AT segment best known for its summit of Big Bald.
The trek across the Unaka Mountains and Roan Highlands, where fields of rhododendron and bald summits await.
A picturesque AT segment highlighting a series of waterfalls.
A ridgeline traverse into the iconic trail town of Damascus.
The trek from the iconic trail town of Damascus to Mount Rogers and the Grayson Highlands
A relaxing stretch crossing The Scales and ending at Interstate 81
Crossing the one-quarter mark of the roughly 2,200-mile-long AT.
A trek across endless Brushy Mountains, past Dismall Falls, and ending at New River.
A series of long ridgeline traverses, ending with a summit of the picturesque Kelly Knob.
The trek to the iconic Dragon's Tooth formation.
The iconic AT segment home to McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs.
A strenuous and remote section of the AT through backcountry and Wilderness areas.
An epic route across the Blue Ridge connecting low river valleys to high peaks.
A shorter segment lined with excellent day hiking and overnight opportunities.
The southern portion of Shenandoah National Park, full of day hiking and overnight opportunities.
The central district of Shenandoah National Park, known for the picturesque Hawksbill Overlook.
This section of the Appalachian Trail crosses over Hogback Mountain, the Marshalls, and then heads through Trumbo Hollow.
The AT passes through the lowlands, ending at Harpers Ferry
Hike 41 miles through Maryland on the Appalachian Trail.
The beginning of Rocksylvania passing through Michaux State Forest.
The halfway point for the Appalachian Trail.
Two long ridgeline traverses through remote backcountry.
An excellent section hike or trail run lined with overlooks and overnight camping opportunities.
A Pennsylvania segment of the AT lined with beautiful overlooks.
A popular segment for day hiking with killer views all the way to Delaware Water Gap.
Traversing the Kittatinny Ridge to High Point State Park.
Winding through farmlands, across the Boardwalk, and into Wawayanda State Park.
A winding and scenic stretch past countless ponds and climbs over several prominent mountains.
This section passes Anthony's Nose, Canopus Lake, Nuclear Lake, and Cat Rocks ending at the Appalachian Trail Station .
A long stretch paralleling the Housatonic River and rich with history.
The first half of Massachusetts, widely renowned for Mount Everett and Guilder Pond.
The AT traverses the largest state forest to the highest summit in Massachusetts.
The AT transitions from the Berkshires of Massachusetts to the Green Mountains of Vermont.
A remote Vermont stretch of the AT known for its summit of Stratton Mountain and Peru Peak.
An amazing segment through the high country of Vermont, summiting Killington Peak.
A easily shuttled stretch of the AT, connecting Killington Mountain to the Connecticut River.
The introduction to the White Mountains, summiting Smart's Mountain and Mount Cube.
Summiting Mount Moosilauke and Mount Kinsman via the Appalachian Trail
A perfect segment to shuttle, bagging several 4,000-footers along the way.
Summit the highest peak in the northeast, Mount Washington.
A beautiful segment of the AT, summiting the final 4,000-footers in New Hampshire before heading into Maine.
A stretch of the AT through Maine known for its summit of Baldpate and Bemis Mountains.
A beautiful AT segment known for its traverse over Saddleback Mountain.
A long segment of the AT that's perfect for backpacking, but still providing a couple of shorter day hikes along the way.
The infamous 100-Mile Wilderness of the Appalachian Trail.
The northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail on the top of Mount Katahdin.
The shortest, most direct route to Mount Katahdin.
An incredibly challenging and dangerous loop reserved only for the adventurous..