Appalachian Trail

Appalachian Trail is a long-distance hiking trail in the eastern United States that runs between northern Georgia and central Maine, totaling roughly 2,190 miles (about 3,524 km). It is one of the most continuous and heavily used long-distance footpaths in North America.

The route is used for through-hiking, section hiking, and countless day hikes and passes through varied terrain including mountains, forests, and protected parks. It traverses 14 states and includes high-elevation segments, notable scenic ridgelines, and numerous shelters and maintained campsites.

The trail was proposed in 1921 and developed through cooperative work by federal, state and volunteer organizations, with major trail-building activity completed in the 1930s; ongoing maintenance is carried out by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and thousands of local volunteers. The route has been rerouted and improved many times since its original construction.

Geographically the trail follows the Appalachian Mountains from Springer Mountain in northern Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine, passing through national parks, national forests and many state parks along its north-south corridor.

• Length and scope: Runs roughly 2,190 miles (about 3,524 km) along the Appalachian Mountain chain and crosses 14 U.S. states.
• Elevation: The highest point on the maintained trail is at 6,643 ft, which hikers pass in the Great Smoky Mountains region.

What to See #

• Springer Mountain (southern terminus): Sits at 34.6269°N 84.1940°W in northern Georgia and is the traditional southern terminus used by many long-distance hikers.
• Mount Katahdin (northern terminus): Rises to 45.9045°N 68.9235°W in Baxter State Park, Maine, and marks the official northern terminus reached by most thru-hikers.
• Clingmans Dome (highest point on the trail): A paved observation area and trail access point at 35.5628°N 83.4986°W with the trail passing near the park road; the highest point on the official route is at 6,643 ft.