Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail is a 3,536-km point-to-point trail in the eastern United States, gaining roughly 142,000 m of cumulative elevation across 14 states over a typical 5-to-7-month thru-hike. Rated strenuous, it runs from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mount Katahdin, Maine, threading the Appalachian ridgeline through dense hardwood forest, exposed grassy balds and rugged alpine summits.

About the Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail (the "AT") is the most famous long-distance footpath in North America and, at 2,197.4 miles (3,536 km) as measured in 2024, one of the longest continuously marked hiking trails in the world. It begins at Springer Mountain in northern Georgia (1,153 m / 3,782 ft) and ends at the iconic summit of Mount Katahdin in Maine, passing through 14 states along the spine of the Appalachian Mountains: Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

The idea was proposed in 1921 by forester Benton MacKaye, who envisioned a connected wilderness corridor along the eastern ridgeline. Volunteers completed the original route in 1937, and the path was given federal protection as the Appalachian National Scenic Trail under the National Trails System Act of 1968. Today it is maintained by an extraordinary partnership of 31 trail clubs, the National Park Service, the US Forest Service and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, supported by thousands of volunteers each year.

More than three million people walk some portion of the AT annually, but only a few thousand attempt a full thru-hike, and historically around one in four of those who start actually reach the far terminus. The trail is famous for its white "blaze" markers — vertical 5 cm by 15 cm painted rectangles on trees and rocks — and for its network of more than 250 three-sided shelters spaced roughly a day's walk apart. The highest point is Kuwohi (formerly Clingmans Dome) in Great Smoky Mountains National Park at 2,025 m (6,643 ft); the lowest is near the Bear Mountain Zoo in New York at just 38 m (124 ft).

Route Overview & Stages

Few hikers tackle the AT in a single push without breaking it into manageable regional sections. The table below groups the trail into five broad stages, each with its own character — from the warm hardwood forests of the South to the brutal alpine ridges of New Hampshire and Maine. Distances are approximate and elevation figures are cumulative climbing within each section.

The roughly 150-mile (240 km) Vermont section is especially notable: for its southern third the AT shares its route with the historic Long Trail, climbing wooded ridges over Stratton Mountain (1,200 m), the remote Glastenbury Mountain and the firetower-topped Killington Peak (1,289 m) before the two trails part ways near Maine Junction.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Springer Mountain, Georgia — the southern terminus and ceremonial starting line for northbound thru-hikers, marked by a bronze plaque at 1,153 m.
• Kuwohi (Clingmans Dome), Tennessee — at 2,025 m the highest point on the entire trail, crowned by a spiral observation tower with views across the Great Smokies.
• McAfee Knob, Virginia — the most photographed spot on the AT, a flat rock ledge jutting over the Catawba Valley.
• Harpers Ferry, West Virginia — the symbolic midpoint and home of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy headquarters, where hikers register and pose for a milestone photo.
• Killington Peak, Vermont — a 1,289 m Green Mountain summit shared with the Long Trail, offering panoramic ridge views.
• Mount Washington, New Hampshire — at 1,917 m the highest peak in the Northeast, infamous for some of the most violent recorded weather on Earth.
• Mahoosuc Notch, Maine — a boulder-choked ravine widely called the toughest or most fun mile on the trail, depending on your mood.
• Mount Katahdin, Maine — the dramatic 1,605 m northern terminus inside Baxter State Park, the final climb of any northbound thru-hike.

Best Time to Hike the Appalachian Trail

Timing depends entirely on what you are attempting. For a traditional northbound thru-hike, most hikers leave Springer Mountain between mid-March and mid-April, chasing spring north so they can reach Katahdin before Baxter State Park closes the summit in mid-October. Southbound hikers instead start in Maine in June, once the snow has melted from the White Mountains and the notorious black-fly season eases.

For section hikers, September is the single best month to be on the trail. Summer humidity has broken, daytime temperatures across the mid-Atlantic and New England typically sit between 15°C and 24°C, biting insects have largely vanished, and the first autumn colours begin to ignite the hardwood canopy. As of 2026, the trail's busiest "bubble" of northbound hikers has long passed the central states by September, so shelters and hostels are far quieter than in the April–June peak.

Spring (April–May) brings wildflowers and flowing streams but also mud, cold snaps and crowded southern shelters. Summer (June–August) is hot and stormy at lower elevations, while the high peaks of New Hampshire and Maine can stay snowbound into June and turn dangerous in any season. Winter hiking is feasible only for experienced, well-equipped section hikers in the southern states, where ice storms and sub-zero ridgeline temperatures are common.

Practical Information

Accommodation

The AT's backbone is its free network of more than 250 three-sided wooden shelters (locally called "lean-tos" in New England), each with a nearby water source and privy. These are first-come, first-served and cost nothing, though most hikers also carry a tent for nights when shelters are full. Designated tent sites along the corridor are generally free, while a handful of huts in New Hampshire's White Mountains — run by the Appalachian Mountain Club — charge premium rates of roughly €130–€160 per night including meals, with cheaper work-for-stay options for thru-hikers.

In trail towns, dedicated hiker hostels typically charge €25–€45 for a bunk, often including a shower, laundry and a shuttle. Motels and inns near road crossings run €70–€120 per night. Budget at least €30–€60 per trail day overall once food resupply, the occasional town bed and transport are included.

Getting There & Back

The southern terminus is reached via Atlanta's Hartsfield–Jackson International Airport, the world's busiest hub; from there it is about a 2-hour drive or shuttle to Amicalola Falls State Park and the approach trail to Springer Mountain. For the northern end, hikers fly into Bangor International Airport in Maine, roughly a 2.5-hour drive from Baxter State Park, then arrange a shuttle to the Katahdin trailhead. Mid-trail access is easy at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, which sits on an Amtrak and MARC commuter rail line about 90 minutes from Washington, D.C. Greyhound and regional bus services connect many trail towns, and a thriving culture of shuttle drivers serves road crossings up and down the route.

Permits & Fees

There is no permit or fee to hike the Appalachian Trail itself. However, three managed areas along the way require registration or charge entry: Great Smoky Mountains National Park requires a thru-hiker permit (about €37 / $40), Shenandoah National Park requires a free backcountry permit, and Baxter State Park requires Katahdin climbers to register and follow strict daily quotas. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy asks every thru-hiker to register voluntarily so that start dates can be spread out and trail impact reduced. Full, current rules are published by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the National Park Service Appalachian Trail office.

Gear & Packing List

The AT rewards a light, simple kit you can carry comfortably for months — or for a long weekend section. A pack in the 45–60 litre range is the sweet spot for thru-hikers carrying multi-day food loads, and ultralight frameless or roll-top packs dominate the trail today. Strong choices from our gear database include the 3400 Windrider for full thru-hikes, the smaller 2400 Windrider for shorter sections, and the comfortable, well-ventilated Atmos AG 50 for hikers who prefer a traditional internal frame. If you are shaving every gram, the Arc Haul Ultra 60L is a Dyneema favourite among long-distance walkers.

Beyond the pack, plan for layered clothing (the White Mountains can drop below freezing even in summer), a three-season shelter and quilt, reliable rain protection, a water filter and a stove for hot meals at camp. For picking the right pack weight and capacity, our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 compares seven tested models. Because thru-hikers burn enormous amounts of energy, food planning matters as much as gear — see how many calories you need hiking a full day before you build your resupply boxes.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the scale of the Appalachian Trail appeals, you may enjoy other long ridgeline and multi-day mountain routes. For a shorter but spectacular taste of rugged Balkan trekking, read our guide on how to hike the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania, a high mountain pass crossing that delivers big-trail atmosphere in a single unforgettable day.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Appalachian Trail?
September is the best single month for section hiking, with mild temperatures of 15–24°C, fewer insects and early autumn colour. Northbound thru-hikers start in mid-March to mid-April to reach Katahdin before mid-October, while southbounders begin in Maine in June once the high peaks are clear of snow.

How difficult is the Appalachian Trail?
It is rated strenuous. While no single section is technically extreme, the cumulative challenge of roughly 142,000 m of climbing over 3,536 km, relentless rocky footing in Pennsylvania, and the steep alpine terrain of New Hampshire and Maine means only about 25% of thru-hike attempts succeed. Fitness, durable feet and mental persistence matter most.

How many kilometres per day should I plan?
Most thru-hikers average 24–32 km per day once they find their rhythm, building from gentler 16–19 km days early on. In the rugged White Mountains and Maine, even strong hikers may manage only 16–24 km. Section hikers should plan conservative distances and build extra rest days into any multi-week itinerary.

Where do you sleep on the Appalachian Trail?
The trail has more than 250 free, first-come three-sided shelters spaced about a day apart, plus free tent sites along the corridor. In towns, hiker hostels cost €25–€45 per bunk and motels €70–€120. The Appalachian Mountain Club huts in New Hampshire charge roughly €130–€160 with meals, with cheaper work-for-stay slots.

Do you need a permit to hike the Appalachian Trail?
No permit is needed for the trail overall, but three areas require registration: Great Smoky Mountains National Park (about €37), Shenandoah National Park (free backcountry permit) and Baxter State Park, which limits daily Katahdin climbers. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy also asks thru-hikers to register voluntarily to spread out start dates.