The Appalachians
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail stretches more than 2,100 miles from Maine to Georgia through the lush forests and sparkling waterways of the Appalachian Range. One of the most popular hiking trails in the US and maybe the world, this public footpath traverses scenic, wild, and culturally resonant lands.
Where
The Appalachian Trail passes through 14 states in the eastern United States and can be accessed from a variety of points by car, bus, train, or plane.
What to Do
Hiking is the big one since the AT is a footpath for the most part, but there are all kinds of other activities close by. Backpacking, camping, rock climbing, photography, biking, wildlife viewing, boating, fishing, stargazing, guided touring.
When to Go
The trail is open 24 hours a day, year-round except for a few seasonal closures in the most northerly areas.
Don’t Miss
McAfee's Knob may be the most iconic spot on the Appalachian Trail. Its signature ledge juts out to a breathtaking 270-degree panoramic view of Virginia's Roanoke Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Climb up for a bucket-list photo op.
The Great Smoky Mountains run through the majestic old growth spruce and fir forests of Tennessee and North Carolina. The ghostly “smoke” that hides the valleys but allows the summits to peak out is actually a foggy vapor exhaled by vegetation.
Virginia’s Grayson Highlands State Park is home to a group of wild ponies that was introduced to the area several hundred years ago. The herd has grown to over 100 strong, and the adorable creatures freely graze the grasslands. The friendly ponies often try to lick the salt off sweaty hikers.
The most remote wilderness on the Appalachian Trail, the Hundred-Mile Wilderness comprises a pristine wetland in the forests of Maine. This abundant landscape is packed with enormous trees, waterfalls, rocky river crossings, and mossy stumps, where you’re more likely to spot a moose than another human.
See Georgia's tallest waterfall at Amicalola Falls State Park near the southern terminus of the AT. The waterfall cascades 720 feet down a towering bluff, into a mossy, boulder-filled forest.
Read More...Insider Tips
Hike the whole thing! A typical thru-hiker takes 5 to 7 months to hike the full AT. If you’re up for some serious logistical, physical, and mental planning, have the adventure of a lifetime and trek the entire Appalachian Trail.
Stay in Appalachian Mountain Club lodgings located from Maine to New Jersey and your hard-earned money will support AMC’s conservation efforts. You can choose from campsites, bunk houses, private cabins, or lodges, some of which are surprisingly comfy and posh despite sitting in the middle of the wilderness.
Throw in a side trip to the city. From the Appalachian Trail station just north of Pawling, NY or the Manitou Station, you can take the train to Grand Central Station, NYC. Smell the wildflowers in the morning and see the Statue of Liberty that afternoon.
The Appalachian Mountain Range extends into southeastern Canada, running through New Brunswick, Quebec, and Newfoundland. Make your adventure international by crossing into Canada and enjoying the trails north of the border.
Follow the wild azalea, rhododendron, and laurel blooming season by starting in the south in April and working north. In autumn, reverse your direction, following the brilliant color changes of the foliage as you move from north to south.
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