The Appalachian Trail: A hiking paradise

Posted on 3 June 2020

The Appalachian Trail is America’s longest footpath. It traverses 3,540km of trail, across 14 states, two national parks and eight national forests.

From Georgia to Maine and over 5-7 months, hikers get to experience all kinds of terrain and climates. The Appalachian Trail takes hikers through mighty mountains and plush pastures. Wildlife encounters are not uncommon either.

The trail was completed in 1937 and spans from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. The upkeep and conservation of the trail is done by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. 

Around 3,500 people attempt the entire excursion annually but around 1 in 4 actually completes it, according to Lonely Planet.

Those who are not unable to commit to the months long journey do opt to trek parts of the trail.

Hikers seeking to complete the trail generally begin in March or April, finishing around six months later. The trail begins in Springer Mountain in northern Georgia and finishes at Mount Katahdin in Maine’s Baxter State Park.

Baxter State Park closes on 15 October so one has to be done before then. It is possible to do the trail from Maine to Georgia too.

 

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#DYK that the ATC and its partners work together to protect thousands of acres that surround the #AppalachianTrail each year? In 2019 alone, ATC provided $500,000 in funding to assist in the protection of close to 57,000 acres in each region of the Trail. This translates into improved recreational access, protected wildlife habitat, and conserved forestland—which benefits all living things. Thank you to all organizations within the Appalachian Trail Landscape Partnership who work to protect the A.T. and its landscape! #WildEast Photo courtesy of John H. Loyne #AT #AT2020 #FindYourTrail #takeahike #ProtectYourTrail #hiking #backpacking #thruhike #thruhiking #camping #forest #wilderness #getoutside #wanderlust #exploremore #thegreatoutdoors #getoutdoors #letscamp #traillife #neverstopexploring #hikemoreworryless #keepitwild #wildernessculture #optoutside #trailkarma #epiclandscapes

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Bald Mountain Pond in Maine features the rugged beauty that characterizes the #AppalachianTrail in Maine. By preserving this area, #yourATC and its partners at @trustforpublicland , @nationalparkservice , @conservationalliance , @goparks , @nationalparktrust @mefishwildlife and the @me_at_landtrust that ensure this important ecosystem and its A.T. landscape will benefit us all for years to come. Learn more about this project, the partners involved, and much more in our latest blog post — click our profile link or visit appalachiantrail.org/blog to check it out now! #protectyourtrail . Image 1 courtesy of @trustforpublicland & Jerry and Marcy Monkman/EcoPhotography. All other photos courtesy of @me_at_landtrust.

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Image credit: Instagram / @appalachiantrail






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