Hiking.org focus: Hiking trails around the world
The Appalachian Trail (USA)
Text and illustrations by Frits Ahlefeldt, Hiking.org
The 3500km. / 2200 miles long well-marked Appalachian trail along the east side of the USA takes around 6 months to hike and it is among the best known hiking trails in the world. Most people hike sections of the trail, but every year just below 3000 hikers hike the whole trail in one through-hike lasting around 6 months
Mostly a forest trail
The almost 100 year old Appalachian Trail is the grand old trail in the USA. It is a footpath only and goes mostly through forests along the Appalachian mountain range on the east side of the USA.
Social life and volunteers on the AT make it legendary
The Appalachian trail is considered a very social trail, with more than 250 shelters, and also many small villages, huts and other places where the hikers get together in the evening, sharing stories, giving each other trail-names and helping each other. Many hike the Appalachian trail because of its added social life. And around 4000 volunteers, organised by the AppalachianTrail.org spend 175.000 hours a year keeping the trail and facilities in good shape.
One of the world’s most famous hiking trails
There are a number of books and films about the Appalachian trail ranging from hard-core guidebooks, to hiking stories to fiction.
One of the stories adding to the Appalachian trail’s fame most lately is book “A walk in the Woods” by Bill Bryson. The book was made into a film by legendary filmmaker and actor Robert Redford, also staring as the main character, together with the also famed actors Nick Nolte and Emma Thompson. (YouTube link to trailer)
: Appalachian trail on Wikipedia Wikipedia about the Appalachian Trail
AppalachianTrail.org Official AT organisation: Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC)
US. National Park Service about the AT ( They own 99% of the Appalachian trail land)
TheTrek.co AT Trail Website with section dedicated to Appalachian Trail