The Appalachian Trail is the one of the longest continuously marked footpath in the world, measuring roughly 2,186 miles in length. The Trail goes through fourteen states along the crests and valleys of the Appalachian mountain range from the southern terminus at Springer Mountain, Georgia, to the Trail’s northern terminus at Katahdin, Maine. The Appalachian Trail is not just a trail, but a look into the wilderness, scenery, and culture that surrounds the trail. People from across the globe are drawn to the trail for a variety of reasons: to reconnect with nature, to escape the stress of city life, to meet new people or deepen old friendships, or to experience a simpler life.
Known as the “A.T.,” it has been estimated that 2-3 million people visit the Trail every year and about 1,800–2,000 people attempt to “thru-hike” the Trail. People from across the globe are drawn to the A.T. for a variety of reasons: to reconnect with nature, to escape the stress of city life, to meet new people or deepen old friendships, or to experience a simpler life.The A.T. was completed in 1937 and is a unit of the National Park System. The A.T. is managed under a unique partnership between the public and private sectors that includes, among others, the National Park Service (NPS), the USDA Forest Service (USFS), an array of state agencies, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and 31 local Trail-maintaining clubs.
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FUN FACTS
The Trail is 2186 miles long, passing through 14 states.
More than 6,000 volunteers contribute about 200,000 hours to the Appalachian Trail every year.
Crosses six other units of national park systems.
Traverses eight national forest.
More than 250 three-sided shelters exist along the Trail.
Virginia is home to the most miles of the Trail (~550), while West Virginia is home to the least (~4).
Maryland and West Virginia are the easiest states to hike; New Hampshire and Maine are the hardest.
The total elevation gain of hiking the entire A.T. is equivalent to climbing Mt. Everest 16 times.
Lowest elevation: 124 feet – near the Trailside Museum and Zoo at Bear Mountain, New York.
Highest elevation: 6,625 feet – on Clingmans Dome in Tennessee
Approximately 165,000 white paint blazes mark the trail’s route.
It takes approximately 5 million footsteps to walk the entire length of the trail.
The A.T. is home to an impressive diversity of plants and animals. Some animals you may see include black bears, moose, porcupines, snakes, woodpeckers, and salamanders. Some plants you may encounter include jack-in-the-pulpit, skunk cabbage, and flame azalea.
The Trail is 2186 miles long, passing through 14 states. More than 6,000 volunteers contribute about 200,000 hours to the Appalachian Trail every year. Crosses six other units of national park systems. Traverses eight national forest. More than 250 three-sided shelters exist along the Trail. Virginia is home to the most miles of the Trail (~550), while West Virginia is home to the least (~4). Maryland and West Virginia are the easiest states to hike; New Hampshire and Maine are the hardest. The total elevation gain of hiking the entire A.T. is equivalent to climbing Mt. Everest 16 times. Lowest elevation: 124 feet – near the Trailside Museum and Zoo at Bear Mountain, New York. Highest elevation: 6,625 feet – on Clingmans Dome in Tennessee Approximately 165,000 white paint blazes mark the trail’s route. It takes approximately 5 million footsteps to walk the entire length of the trail. The A.T. is home to an impressive diversity of plants and animals. Some animals you may see include black bears, moose, porcupines, snakes, woodpeckers, and salamanders. Some plants you may encounter include jack-in-the-pulpit, skunk cabbage, and flame azalea.
HIKERS
The A.T. has hundreds of access points and is within a few hours drive of millions of Americans, making it a popular destination for day-hikers.
“Thru-hikers” walk the entire Trail in a continuous journey. “Section-hikers” piece the entire Trail together over years. “Flip-floppers” thru-hike the entire Trail in discontinuous sections to avoid crowds, extremes in weather, or start on easier terrain.
1 in 4 who attempt a thru-hike successfully completes the journey
Most thru-hikers walk north, starting in Georgia in spring and finishing in Maine in fall, taking an average of 6 months.
Foods high in calories and low in water weight, such as Snickers bars and Ramen Noodles, are popular with backpackers, who can burn up to 6,000 calories a day.
Hikers usually adopt “trail names” while hiking the Trail.
The A.T. has hundreds of access points and is within a few hours drive of millions of Americans, making it a popular destination for day-hikers. “Thru-hikers” walk the entire Trail in a continuous journey. “Section-hikers” piece the entire Trail together over years. “Flip-floppers” thru-hike the entire Trail in discontinuous sections to avoid crowds, extremes in weather, or start on easier terrain. 1 in 4 who attempt a thru-hike successfully completes the journey Most thru-hikers walk north, starting in Georgia in spring and finishing in Maine in fall, taking an average of 6 months. Foods high in calories and low in water weight, such as Snickers bars and Ramen Noodles, are popular with backpackers, who can burn up to 6,000 calories a day. Hikers usually adopt “trail names” while hiking the Trail.
Information found at: http://www.appalachiantrail.org/about-the-trail
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