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Appalachian Trail -- Take a Hike Down America’s Best-Known Trail

© Pattie Stechschulte

Work began in October 1921 by an organized group of volunteers to create the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, which was finally completed in late 1921.

The trail is a 2,158-mile footpath that stretches the ridgelines from Springer Mountain in north Georgia and meanders through 14 states before ending in the central Maine wilderness.

Over 30 volunteer clubs manage the trail under the organization of the Appalachian Trail Conference with the assistance of the National Park Service Currently, approximately 96 percent of the trail is public land - under state or federal ownership.

AT Maintaining Clubs

The ATC has 32 clubs that are responsible for specific portions of the trail. About half of them have web pages, but this link will provide contact information from where you can obtain their individual maps and newsletter.

Thru-Hikers

There are a group of dedicated hikers who have committed 5 to 6 months of their life to walking the entire Appalachian Trail. Because of weather considerations, many will start in Georgia in the early spring.

The following hikers have uploaded details of their journeys on the Internet which contains incredible photographs and informative text:

• Jonathan Griffith and Dawn Wood

• Brian Vaughan

Other Maps

Since more than 850 miles of the Trail pass through eight national forests, you can write to the U.S. Forest Service to ask for a map of the Southern region at 1720 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, Georgia, 30309.

For maps of the trail through the White Mountains and the Green Mountains National Forest, write to the U.S. Forest Service, 3103 West Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53203.

Trail Details

Short and long-term hiking, backpacking, bird and wildlife watching, and other backcountry recreation. Other activities are available along the Trail in 6 units of the National Park Service, 8 national forests and 60 state parks and forests.

The trail is marked with 2-inch by 6-inch vertical white paint blazes. A double blaze-one above the other-is placed before turns, junctions, or other areas that require that hikers be alert. Blue blazes mark AT side trails. Usually these lead to shelters, water supplies or special view-points.

Stores are in nearby towns. Long-distance hikers often mail food and resupply packages to post offices. Medical services are available in larger towns near the Trail.

To obtain an information guide about hiking the Appalachian Trail, contact the ATC at (304) 535-6331.