Waynesville NC - Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail stretches almost 2,200 miles along the eastern United States mountain chain from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Main.   Managed by the National Park Service, the Appalachian Trail is a hiker's privilege that gives one the experience of wilderness in about 1/4 of America's states.  There are 30 designated trail clubs and various partnerships that help maintain the trail and offer "stops" for those who walk it each year.  Most of the trail takes you through wilderness areas, while some parts extend along and through towns, all while extending through a number of National Forests and recreation areas.

Appalachian Trail Maps
Appalachian Trail Length
Hike the Appalachian Trail
Thru Hiking the Appalachian Trail
Appalachian Trail Mountains
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Appalachian Trail Clubs
Appalachian Trail Shelters
Appalachian Trail in MA (Massachusetts)
Appalachian Trail in GA (Georgia)
Appalachian Trail in VA (Virginia)
Appalachian Trail in PA (Pennsylvania)
Appalachian Trail in NC (North Carolina)
Appalachian Trail in MD (Maryland)
Appalachian Trail in ME (Maine)
Appalachian Trail in NJ (New Jersey)
Appalachian Trail in NY (New York)
Appalachian Trail in CT (Connecticut)
Appalachian Trail in TN (Tennessee)
Appalachian Trail in NH (New Hampshire)
Appalachian Trail in VT (Vermont)
Appalachian Trail Guides
How to Hike the Appalachian Trail
Appalachian Trail Campsites and Camping
Appalachian Trail Books
Gear for the Appalachian Trail
Appalachian Trail Photos and Pictures
Appalachian Trail Murders
Start of Appalachian Trail

Though many people take day hikes at various points along the Appalachian Trail, there are a number of people, "thru-hikers", who attempt the entire trail during one outing.  From South to North, the Trail traverses beautiful landscapes and breathtaking panoramas courtesy the states of Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

Forester Benton MacKaye is generally considered the founder of the Appalachian Trail - a plan he dreamed in 1921 would one day bring folks out of the city to experience the splendor of America's forests. 

Appalachian Trail Maps

You can purchase maps to the Appalachian Trail here.  Or, visit this website for a downloadable Appalachian Trail map version for your state.  For an interactive map of the trail, visit the Appalachian Trail Conservancy's website.

Appalachian Trail Length

A neat trail distance tool for the Appalachian Trail can be found here.  The entire distance is 2,181 miles.  If that's not enough for you, there is an unofficial extension that will take you from Maine 1,900 miles north into Canada.  And, you can now even go to Newfoundland.  If you plan to walk it, you better get your plan together.  You can't just get a back pack and a few thousand dollars in cash and expect to be one of the 10,000 or so that have completed it.  It's a major commitment to take on the Appalachian Trail. 

Hike the Appalachian Trail

A day hike somewhere along the Appalachian Trail is something hundreds of thousands - if not millions - of people do each year.  Of course, these generally entail an afternoon of walking several miles somewhere on the Trail.  But, if a Thru Hike is on your agenda, you better prepare, prepare, prepare.  When you think you're ready, prepare some more.

Thru Hiking the Appalachian Trail

Appalachian Trail Mountains

Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Appalachian Trail Clubs

Appalachian Trail Shelters

Appalachian Trail in MA (Massachusetts)

Appalachian Trail in GA (Georgia)

Appalachian Trail in VA (Virginia)

Appalachian Trail in PA (Pennsylvania)

Appalachian Trail in NC (North Carolina)

Appalachian Trail in MD (Maryland)

Appalachian Trail in ME (Maine)

Appalachian Trail in NJ (New Jersey)

Appalachian Trail in NY (New York)

Appalachian Trail in CT (Connecticut)

Appalachian Trail in TN (Tennessee)

Appalachian Trail in NH (New Hampshire)

Appalachian Trail in VT (Vermont)

Appalachian Trail Guides

How to Hike the Appalachian Trail

Appalachian Trail Campsites and Camping

Appalachian Trail Books

Gear for the Appalachian Trail

Appalachian Trail Photos and Pictures

Appalachian Trail Murders

Start of Appalachian Trail