Listed as one of the top 50 hikes in the world, there are few hikes in the United States like the Appalachian Trail.
I have family that have made this trip and completed it. It was a once-in-a-lifetime journey and I would love to attempt it someday! While there are many beautiful places in the world, there are many right in our own back yard to explore and this is no exception.
You’ll need to take about five million steps and six months of your left to get it done, but it’s an amazing journey.
Thousands of people attempt the hike each year, but only few succeed. One in four actually complete the entire trail!
Miles
States
Successful hikes
Today, the vast majority of the trail is protected by state or federal ownership or by rights-of-way. Each year, more than 5,000 volunteers contribute with maintaining the trail, with more than 240,000 working hours.
1. Maine
2. New Hampshire
3. Vermont
4. Massachusetts
5. Connecticut
6. New York
7. New Jersey
8. Pennsylvania
9. Maryland
10. West Virginia
11. Virginia
12. Tennessee
13. North Carolina
14. Georgia
Animals you may encounter
On the trail, you won’t see nearly as many animals as you’d expected. It’s because most of them can hear, smell or see you, and they will keep out of the way. That’s great news in the case of bears, raccoons, wild pigs, and snakes. Besides them, you might be able to see hundreds of birds, chipmunks, squirrels, deer, wild turkeys, spiders, and many others.
Shelters along the way
The Fontana Dam shelter is unofficially known as the “Fontana Hilton” for its opulent conditions (relatively speaking), offering hot showers, flushing toilets, and stunning views. Seasonal shuttles run from the shelter to Fontana Village, where hikers can stock up on food and supplies.
It's safer than you think
Despite its rugged appeal, civilization isn’t as far away as you think. On average the trail crosses a road every 4 miles. It also passes right through the middle of several towns, including nearby Damascus, Virginia—home to the annual Appalachian Trail Days Festival in May.
Pick the right direction
The trail is usually thru-hiked south to north (that is, Georgia to Maine) rather than the other way around. Hikers typically begin in April and finish in late summer or early fall of that year.