How do you thru-hike the Appalachian Trail? This detailed guide will help you prepare, plan, and successfully complete the 2,194.3-mile backpacking journey.
The 2018 Appalachian Trail hiking season is nearly upon us, and potential thru-hikers are setting off on an enormous journey. For me, having daily reminders of why I would even consider hiking 2000+ miles was important to my success. So, my fellow hikers, I present to you the top photos from my 2017 hike. Strive not only to be inspired, but to inspire others. The Great Smoky Mountains are one of the most amazing sections of the trail. ...
More than 100 ponies roam free on the slopes of Virginia's highest peak
Hello! This map of the Appalachian Trail (AT) will be the beginning of my journey as far as flickr photos go. I will be thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail starting March 24th at Springer Mountain in Georgia, hiking northbound to Mount Katahdin in Maine - 2,175 miles! Tomorrow I will board a over night Amtrak train bound for Gainesville Georgia. I'll be picked up by the hikers hostel and shuttled to Dahlonega, GA where I will spend Tuesday night at the Hiker's Hostel (www.hikerhostel.com/index.php). On Wednesday March 24th, 2010, I will start my hike from Springer Mountain! I tired really hard to write a blog but realize, and if you know me, I'd much rather show you pictures then talk about it, so check back regularly for updates. Depending on how frequently I'm able to access a computer - I should be able to upload photos every week or so.
Itching to conquer the AT, but don’t want to commit to all 2,190 miles of it? Lucky for us, it’s right here, in our own backyard.
Finished in 1930, The Long Trail is the oldest long distance hiking trail in the United States and s
Snoqualmie Pass
Thru-hiker "Belch" took this photo of us on the summit. Having worked as a hiking guide, outdoor blogger, and New England adventurer, I am frequently asked, "Have you hiked Katahdin?" I usually blush and mumble "No, but I really want to." Mt. Katahdin is the tallest mountain in Maine and arguably one of the most exciting and challenging climbs in New England. So when my adventurer guide friend, Sarah, asked if I wanted to join her on her first Katahdin climb, I jumped at the opportunity...and into her Civic. From the complicated permitting process, to the epic climb up to the Abol trail, to the night hike down the Hunt trail, we loved our adventure from start to finish. Fall leaves were vivid in Northern Maine Here is how to recreate this adventure... Adventure: Katahdin Climb, Baxter State Park, ME. Getting there: One of the reasons I'd never adventurered to Katahdin before is, it is a looooong drive to get there. Mt. Katahdin is located in Baxter State Park. It was a five hour drive from North Conway, NH. To get there, take I-95 in Maine to Millinocket. From here, follow signs to Baxter State Park. Since we couldn't secure camping reservations inside the park, we camped at Penobscot Outdoor Center which is located just a few miles out of Millinocket and only two miles from the South entrance to Baxter. Trail: There are multiple trails to Baxter Peak (highest peak on Mt. Katahdin). You need a permit to park at the trailhead to any of them. As a result, Sarah and I were at the mercy of whichever Up Abol Trail/ trailhead permits were still available three days before our hike. Originally, we wanted to hike Saturday and include the treacherous "Knife's Edge" into our adventure, however, due to our last minute planning, the only reservations available was on Sunday at the Abol campground trailhead. We showed up at the park entrance at 8 am with our reservation in hand. Unfortunately, we failed to read the fine print, and found out that after 7:05 am, all parking reservations were given away to other visitors. NO!!!!!! Fortunately, the hiking gods were smiling down on us, because there were just two permits left - this time for the Katahdin Spring campground and Hunt trailhead. We grabbed our spot and headed to the trailhead. heart cairn - photo by Sarah Audsley Wanting to try a loop, we parked at Katahdin Spring and walked/hitched a ride down the 2 mile road to the Abol campground trailhead. We signed in at the trailhead and headed up the Abol trail. This trail is amazing! After a half hour through the birch forest, we reached the slide. Here, we spent 2 hours climbing up rock and boulder - ascending 3,000 feet in only 1.3 miles. The climb gave us beautiful views of the valley below and through a bank of clouds to the plateau. We took a break for lunch at the junctions of Abol and Hunt, then continued onto the Hunt trail/AT for the last mile to the summit of Baxter Peak. The views were AMAZING at the summit. On one side we got views of Chimney Pond, Owls Peak, and the Knife's Edge, and on the other, an ocean of clouds. We were welcomed by a rowdy group of thru-hikers who had just finished their 6 month trek along the AT. It was wonderful to see them celebrate the end of their journey and join in on the merriment. Sarah enjoys a snack break at the summit. Looking at knifes edge. After thirty minutes of summit awe and celebration, we descended on the Hunt trail back to our car. This trail is one of the longer ones from Baxter peak (5.2 mi), and includes a technical 3 mile stretch down a rocky and exposed ridgeline. The views were amazing as we lowered ourselves onto large granite boulders. We caught the sunset as we dropped below tree-line into the forest where we finished the last couple miles in the dark - using our headlamps to find our way. By the end of the hike we were exhausted and happy. The day was a wonderful adventure filled with excitement and beauty. Hunt Trail/ Last mile of the AT Difficulty Level: Strenuous and Challenging! The Abol trail was steep and challenging with many large boulders and straight up. The Hunt Trail was technical with large rock steps. The Hunt Trail was also highly exposed and would be dangerous if the weather was bad. Distance: + 9 miles. 11 hours including breaks. Recommendations: Summit of Baxter Peak. Photo by Sarah Audsley. I think my biggest piece of advice is follow the first rule of Leave No Trace: PLAN AHEAD AND BE PREPARED! This comes down to planning way in advance for trail and camping, bringing proper gear, knowing your route, and your capabilities. If you follow this, you are bound to have a great trip. Trail Permits - Reserve your permit in advance (you are allowed up to 2 weeks prior). Camping permits can be made up to 4 months in advance. We were lucky to obtain a parking spot reservation with only one day's notice but didn't get the trail we wanted. Read the fine print! You will lose your parking permit if you don't get there by 7:05 am! This happened to us and we were soooo lucky that we still got to hike! Camping at Penobscot Outdoor Center Camping - We didn't reserve in time to camp in the park, but we really enjoyed camping at Penobscot Outdoor Center. The campground offers wooded, lakeside tent site, cabin rentals, and canvas tent rentals. They have hot showers, bathrooms, and free canoe rental. The price was right (13 dollars a person per night) and was only 2 miles from the park's southern entrance. Great place! Hiking - This is a really challenging hike. In fact, Sarah - an experienced guide - said it might be the most challenging hike she's ever done. This is because the large rocks and steep elevation gain makes it just take a long time. It's not good for someone who has bad knees or inexperienced. Hunt trail near summit Gear - It's a long hike. Bring plenty of water - I drank three liters and it was a cool day!! Summer, I would need even more. Bring lots of food, protection from the sun (lots of exposure on the hike), first aid kit, compass, map (and knowledge of how to use it), layered clothing, and a head lamp. Mt. Katahdin was an amazing experience. Sarah and I experienced thrilling hiking, outstanding fall weather, and unforgettable views. Looking up the Hunt trail. Please leave comments and questions below!
We asked thru-hikers to rate their favorite sections of the Appalachian Trail so that you can skip straight to the good stuff.
Hike the Appalachian Trail at Max Patch, a grassy, bald mountain that’s covered in wildflowers, and one of North Carolina’s most popular AT hikes.
Another image from Bears Den on the Appalachian Trail looking out over the Shenandoah Valley. Please take a moment and click on the image to see it large on a black background. And thank you in advance for looking at my work and for any comments, critiques and favorites. :) And please don't use my images without my consent.
Learn more about us! The ATC oversees the protection and management of the world’s longest hiking-only footpath, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
Hike across the balds at Roan Mountain on the Appalachian Trail for spectacular panoramic views and summer rhododendron blooms. Start from Carver's Gap.
How to Thru-Hike the Appalachian Trail. Everything an aspiring thru-hiker needs to know prior to embarking for a 2,200 mile journey from Georgia to Maine.
Shenandoah National Park is one of the most breathtaking places on the U.S. East Coast, as this selection of Shenandoah National Park photos will certainly prove.
Starting at Springer Mountain in north Georgia and passing through 14 states, the Appalachian trail is over 2100 miles long and gains 90 feet of elevation (the equivalent of Mount Everest, sixteen times). 70-year-old Rubén spent 6 months and 1 week on the trail, but was away from home for nearly 7 months. He is only the 24th thru-hiker in their 70s on record to finish.
See our favorite 10 hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park accessed from the North Carolina side near Asheville and Cherokee.
Whether you are old, overweight, blind, deaf, amputated, or disabled - someone else has already hiked the AT. If they can do it, you can do it.
The impact of Appalachia’s people and culture is found in food and entertainment, industry and business, music and entertainment, literature, language, and hist
This is the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) overlooking the Smoky Mountains. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Max Patch is a bald mountain on the North Carolina-Tennessee Border in Madison County, North Carolina and Cocke County, Tennessee. It is a major landmark along the Tennessee/North Carolina section of the Appalachian Trail, although its summit is located in North Carolina. It is known for its 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains, namely the Bald Mountains in the immediate vicinity, the Unakas to the north, the Great Smokies to the south, and the Great Balsams and Black Mountains to the southeast.
Journey through the Appalachian Trail, covering over 2,000 miles across 14 states. Discover its history, challenges, and the experience of thru-hikers on this iconic trek.
Journey through the Appalachian Trail, covering over 2,000 miles across 14 states. Discover its history, challenges, and the experience of thru-hikers on this iconic trek.
Thread Thoroughly Outlines the Fascinating History of the Appalachian Mountains - Funny memes that "GET IT" and want you to too. Get the latest funniest memes and keep up what is going on in the meme-o-sphere.
Journey through the Appalachian Trail, covering over 2,000 miles across 14 states. Discover its history, challenges, and the experience of thru-hikers on this iconic trek.
The Appalachian Mountains are a series of mountain ranges that stretches from the eastern to the northeastern part of the continent of North America.
Is the unique Appalachian dialect the preserved language of Elizabethan England? Left over from Scots-Irish immigrants? Or something else altogether?
The Pacific Crest Trail, north of Chinook Pass.
Check out the amazing transformation one man goes through after hiking from Georgia to Maine.
The state of New York tends to be eclipsed by the city of New York. But small towns here have lots to offer – including gorgeous mountains, wonderful wineries, rustic ... Read more
A lovely waterfall with a strange name in Grafton Notch State Park.
The Juliana Trail takes hikers through remote villages and settlements in a 167-mile loop around the country's stunning Julian Alps
Check out 2022 Top Adventure Town winners Abingdon and Damascus, VA for some of the best trails in the SE, and stay for the southern charm.
The Cape Wrath Trail is a 230-mile route in northwest Scotland. Considered the nation's hardest trail, the CWT is an unforgettable hike.
A couple visiting an Airbnb gets a very welcome surprise when a local cat gives them a fully guided hike along the Appalachian Trail.
Forest Service hopes new restrictions will help the popular Appalachian Trail peak recover from visitors' impacts.
The changes aim to address sustainability along the increasingly popular trail, but they also raise safety concerns for through-hikers.
Ready for some adventure? These are the 38 best hikes in Maryland with scenic views, wildlife, and all that mother nature has to offer.
