Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail (A.T.), also called the AT, is a hiking-only footpath in the Eastern United States that stretches between Springer Mountain and Mount Katahdin and passes through 14 states: Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

At roughly 2,197.9 miles total (about 3,536 km), it is designed for long-distance walking and is commonly attempted as a thru-hike within about a year by sectioning the route and planning logistics around trailheads, road crossings, and overnight options.

The trail follows the Appalachian Mountains for most of its length and is marked with painted white blazes; many towns and road segments intersect the corridor in addition to long stretches through forest or wild lands.

Route planning on the A.T. typically centers on shelters and campsites, mile markers and distances, and the location of trailheads and access points along the route; an interactive map is available to explore sections by state and to find shelters, campsites, and other primary features.

The A.T. is managed through a mix of volunteer trail-maintaining organizations and public agencies, with additional nonprofit coordination; trail alignment and mileage can change over time due to realignments, closures, and mapping updates.

For timing, most thru-hikers plan early-spring starts northbound and summer starts southbound; conditions vary by latitude and elevation, and winter-to-early-spring snow is common enough that many schedules build around it.

Historically, the trail was proposed in 1921 and reached completion in 1937, and later became the Appalachian National Scenic Trail under the National Trails System Act of 1968.

More information: Official website, Visitor information, Visitor information