We manage more than , acres that protects fresh drinking water, culturally and historically significant landscapes, threatened and endangered species, and recreation-driven economies. Take Action. We empower the next generation of A. Get Involved. The iconic bald mountains along the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina and Tennessee are significant to the future of migratory and resident birds. Learn More About Us. The Appalachian Trail The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world, measuring roughly 2, miles in length.
What We Do. Educate We prepare and educate millions of visitors each year as they explore the natural and cultural wonders of the Trail. Protect We work to ensure that the Trail is protected forever through public engagement, broader landscape protection, and best Trail management practices.
Learn about the unique legacy of Delaware Water Gap, a hub of history, recreation, and conservation. The Trail passes through 14 States Explore by State.
View photos, cool facts, and need-to-know information for each state. Virginia Virginia has the distinction of having more miles of the A. Maryland You can begin or end your hike at hundreds of places between the Appalachian Trail's northern and southern ends. Pennsylvania You can begin or end your hike at hundreds of places between the Appalachian Trail's northern and southern ends.
New Jersey New Jersey will surprise you with how wild it is, especially because of its proximity to major cities. Additionally, many of the water sources through Pennsylvania are down steep, rocky side trails. Camping: Easy. Shelters are plentiful and well maintained, and the camping sites have plenty of space for tents.
State parks abound and have tent sites and facilities, but will incur a camping fee. Resupply: Again, easy. No need to send drop boxes, and you walk right through trail towns like Boiling Springs, Duncannon, and Delaware Water Gap. Scrambling out of Lehigh Gap. Pennsylvania has a plethora of charming state parks right off the trail.
Caledonia State Park has vending machines, a snack bar seasonal , and a pool. Posing with the official AT midway marker. Photo: Danny Strayer. One of the nicest towns on the entire trail, and the AT goes right through. The ATC Regional Office is on the trail on the way into town, and the food, lodging, and overall vibe of this town make it hard to leave. The legendary Doyle. The sunrise and sunset view, expansive camping space, and degree vistas make this spot totally worth packing water up to.
Port Clinton is worth a stop to stock up at the Peanut Shop, an old-fashioned candy store. Feeling brave? This foot, seemingly vertical rock scramble out of Palmerton takes hikers by surprise after a relatively flat miles. Photo: Colleen Goldhorn. There are few notable climbs or descents in New Jersey. In fact, the southern half of the section comprises one continuous ridge walk along the spine of Kittatinny Ridge.
This is fairly mild hiking, although the notorious rocky tread of Northern Pennsylvania persists along the ridge. However, the rocks do finally abate after High Point State Park at the northern end of the ridge. Here, the trail descends from Kittatinny and largely remains below 1, feet in elevation for the remainder of New Jersey. The northernmost 30 miles of this section hug the border with New York closely, passing frequently through low-lying marshes and grasslands.
From Delaware Water Gap north, you can swing your legs a bit for 45 view-laden miles along Kittatinny Ridge. Look for telltale signs of glaciation everywhere on this traverse, from glacial tarns to scour marks in the exposed bedrock. Dip your feet and bask on the sunny shores of Sunfish Pond at mile 1, Besides just being gorgeous, Sunfish has the honor of being the southernmost glacial lake on the AT, and the first one northbound thru-hikers encounter on their trek to Maine.
Follow a 0. The retreat is located on glacial Catfish Lake and offers lodging, food, and boat rentals for hikers in need of a semi-luxurious side trip. Be sure to climb the steps for vertiginous degree views of the surrounding ridges and valleys. A brief descent into Culver Gap and the town of Branchville breaks up the long traverse of Kittatinny Ridge. A CCC-built stone pavilion makes for a great lunch spot atop the mountain.
Keen-eyed hikers can spot bog turtles, salamanders, and hundreds of species of birds including bald and golden eagles in this pristine wetland.
Cross a suspension bridge over Pochuck Creek and traipse through nearly a mile of surrounding marshland via a picturesque boardwalk. Like the Wallkill reserve farther south, these wetlands are a prime location to view birds and other wildlife.
It enters the state near the town of Lakeside, New Jersey mile 1, , and exits into Connecticut 87 boulder-strewn miles later mile 1, Meanwhile, iconic trail milestones like the Lemon Squeezer and the Bear Mountain Bridge will boost your trail cred. To top it all off, trailside delis abound throughout New York—meaning comfort food is never too far away in this difficult but rewarding state.
For instance, one memorable stretch in the southernmost part of the state packs a big punch with tough scrambles and endless boulders that, in true New England fashion, require an unreasonable amount of effort to overcome. Take in charming views of rural New York while you enjoy delicious frozen treats at this picturesque creamery on top of Mount Peter near Warwick.
Lotus stands proud on the summit of Bear Mountain. Climb to the top of Perkins Memorial Tower to get the best vantage point. Yes, somehow there is a zoo on the northern side of Bear Mountain, and the AT goes right through it.
The zoo features bears, reptiles, and other local wildlife, with interpretive signage to match. The bear enclosure also marks the lowest elevation on the entire Appalachian Trail at just feet above sea level.
Walking over the Hudson River on this hulking suspension bridge also entails crossing from the mid-Atlantic to the New England section of the trail. The section from Delaware Water Gap to this bridge also holds historic significance as the first section of the AT to be completed in The Appalachian Market is one of the many trailside delis that will fill up both your belly and your heart as you traverse New York. The Graymoor Spiritual Life Center is a monastery that generously allows hikers to camp for free in the picnic shelter on their ball field.
Come on, when else are you going to get to camp at a monastery? Do it for the experience. The monastery is about 0. Plus, you can get pizza delivered there.
With a girth of over 20 feet, this old-growth giant is likely over years old. Connecticut is among the shortest sections of the Appalachian Trail. It stretches just This state is characterized by intense, rocky climbs interspersed with long miles of luxuriously easy walking.
The trail breaks 2, feet elevation for the first time since Pennsylvania, though most points in this section are between and 1, feet elevation.
Check out the highlight reel below to learn about these photo-worthy destinations and more. Take some time to appreciate the nice views from the ledges before you tackle the painstaking descent. Take your time coming down, as there are plenty of knee-wrenching and ankle-breaking opportunities strewn among the giant boulders. Here you will be rewarded for all your hard work with nearly five miles of deliciously easy and pleasant strolling with frequent river views.
After 2. These cascades make for a peaceful setting to stop and take a break. Just when you think the green tunnel has no end, the trail emerges from the trees into a beautiful meadow. Look for an AT-style stick sign somewhere in the area to commemorate this nice, round number.
Complete with maple tree-lined streets, general stores, and stately historic architecture, this friendly town is well worth a visit. As you approach the Massachusetts border, follow the white blazes up a short scramble to Lions Head. Finish Connecticut with a bang by conquering the tallest summit in the state. A steep, lung-burning ascent to the summit will be rewarded with epic views from atop a stone observation tower.
Congratulate yourself when you reach the bottom. You just finished Connecticut. After hundreds of rolling mid-Atlantic miles, the longer views and higher elevations of the Berkshires make the Bay State feel memorably different.
This gem of a section begins or ends on the rocky slopes of Bear Mountain at the Connecticut border. Compared to the mid-Atlantic and Connecticut, climbs in Massachusetts are generally longer and better graded. That said, this state still has its share of abrupt ups and downs. Mount Everett in the southern part of the state poses a challenge due to its steepness and rockiness, while Mount Greylock up north is formidable mainly because of its size.
Hikers will contend with plenty of elevation change and rocky tread throughout the section. There is one notably mild stretch between Lee and Dalton, about 15 miles long. Just past the Connecticut border, a stream tumbles into a shallow bedrock gully via a series of cascades and deep pools. The AT hugs the stream bank for about 0. As you climb Mount Race, the rich soil and resplendent forest of the lower elevations give way to naked bedrock and low, shrubby vegetation.
After rocketing steeply down the north face of Mount Race, the AT immediately begins climbing again, this time to the summit of Mount Everett. The rebellion led to the Constitutional Convention and ultimately to the birth of our current Constitution. Great Barrington is larger and more developed than your average trail town. An idyllic farm stand bedecked with a large AT symbol greets hikers emerging from the woods near Tyringham, MA.
The picturesque red cabin features a dock for swimming and canoes that are free for hikers to use. After some 15 miles of relatively flat walking, the white blazes will lead you directly down the main street of one Dalton, Massachusetts.
Dalton is the epitome of a charming New England town, replete with pizzerias and ice cream parlors. For hikers looking for an adventurous side trip, the nearby town of Pittsfield has an Amtrak station with service to Boston. Mount Greylock is the highest peak in Massachusetts at 3, feet above sea level. The wide, grassy summit is an ideal spot for picnics, naps, and epic photoshoots. Camping atop Greylock is prohibited, but the Bascom Lodge at the summit does offer private rooms and bunks.
As the Appalachian Trail moves north through New England, the sections get steadily longer—and so do the climbs. Stretching miles between Massachusetts and New Hampshire, Vermont beckons with maple syrup, charming ski slopes, and a mysterious if not downright suspicious lack of rocks in the trail. Big mountains like Stratton, Bromley, and Killington offer up dramatic views, but for the most part, the trail sticks to the green tunnel.
The injection of Long Trail culture and a healthy dose of AT lore make this state stand out from the crowd. Vermont has its share of big climbs and plenty of smaller ups and downs but the terrain in this state is generally more rolling than that of the states on either side. Big climbs like Stratton and Killington are manageable enough to get your heart pumping without crushing your soul. Savor it while you can, because trail conditions in New Hampshire will not be as forgiving.
When planning a hike in Vermont, timing is everything. April and May are also known as mud season in these parts, as spring snowmelt turns the trail into a gloopy mess. The views from the historic fire tower up top—listed on the National Register of Historic Places—are to die for.
Indeed, AT champion Benton Mackaye was so inspired by the beauty of this peak that it caused him to dream up a continuous footpath through the Appalachian Mountains. That makes Stratton Mountain the intellectual birthplace of the Appalachian Trail. However, a break from the elements is just a 0.
With lodging and extensive dining options available, this stop is well worth it just check that the gondola is operating first. Enjoy pretty views from the ski slopes of Bromley Mountain. Tenting and campfires are prohibited at the summit, but hikers are allowed to sleep inside the ski warming hut. Hikers planning to hitch to town from VT must first contend with the raging rapids of Clarendon Gorge.
Fortunately, a picturesque suspension bridge makes crossing this rocky ravine a snap. Lodging, dining, resupply, and entertainment options abound in this classic trail town. The controversial Twelve Tribes community operates a well-known restaurant and hostel in town called the Yellow Deli.
From the bottom of the mountain, bus service to the town of Rutland is also available. After rubbing elbows with Long Trail thru-hikers for over miles, the two trails finally diverge at Maine Junction. The area is well signed, so the difference between the two footpaths should be apparent. Still, it would be wise to pay attention at this junction, lest you accidentally end up on the wrong route. Looking to treat yo self? Hike 0. Take in all feet of Thundering Brook Falls from a wooden observation platform just off the trail.
Unlike most AT shelters, this one is fully enclosed on all sides. It features a working door!! Somewhere in the vast green forest of New Hampshire, the Appalachian Trail steals across a small stream called Oliverian Brook, which snakes through a notch of the same name.
Oliverian Notch is the symbolic boundary line between two divergent worlds. To the south lie some 1, miles of the kind of wooded, hilly terrain that any East Coast hiker will be familiar with. North of this notch, the trail becomes something altogether different.
In the Whites, the weather is wild, the going is tough, and the traverses are truly epic. This unforgettable section inspires equal measures of fear and fondness in the hearts of Type II fun-lovers everywhere. Did we mention that it can be steep? Progress in these parts is slow, and seasoned thru-hikers can find their daily mileage cut nearly in half. On top of the challenging terrain, hikers in the White Mountains need to be prepared for all sorts of weather.
Conditions can change on a dime from hot sun to cold wind and hail. Snow is possible at any time of year. Even in summer, you should be equipped to deal with cold and high winds. Dispersed camping is allowed in most places in the Whites, with limitations. Camping is prohibited above treeline; within a quarter-mile of roads, huts, campsites, or streams; and within feet of any trail.
Be sure to carry cash, because most campsites in the area are pay-to-stay. Reservations are virtually impossible to get during the busy tourist season and are quite expensive.
All AMC huts allow at least two thru-hikers to sleep on their floor each night in exchange for a few hours of work around the facility. Lakes of the Clouds Hut has four work-for-stay slots per night, plus six paid bunks in The Dungeon. These work-for-stay arrangements are popular with thru-hikers and are a great way to experience hut culture. Hanover welcomes thru-hikers to New Hampshire with quintessential trail town hospitality.
Trail angels keep an extensive list among themselves that details the contact information of townspeople willing to help hikers. The bakery and pizzeria downtown offer thru-hikers a free baked good and a free slice, respectively, and bars and eateries abound in this college town.
Be sure to get your picture at the Vermont-New Hampshire state line on the bridge over the Connecticut River. You can also get a bus to or from Boston via Dartmouth Coach.
When the subject of New Hampshire comes up, we all love to wax eloquent about the White Mountains. Smarts Mountain, with its scenic fire tower and rocky outcrops, holds its own in the highlight reel next to the more famous peaks of the Whites.
Steps help make the steep and slick Beaver Brook Trail on the northern slope of Moosilauke more manageable. Mount Moosilauke is the southern gateway to the Whites. The south side of Moosilauke is longer but more gradual than the steep and slippery north side.
Therefore, many northbound hikers choose to go southbound over Moosilauke. This saves their lungs from a longer climb and their knees from a steeper descent. Up top, hikers will break treeline and enjoy degree views across New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. Giant cairns mark the way to the summit and are big enough to remain visible even in fog and heavy snowpack. The wind can be brutal up on the bald summit of Moosilauke, but fortunately, the ruins of an old inn stand at the top and make an excellent windbreak.
All the huts in the Whites are amazing, but Lonesome Lake Hut is the very first one a northbound hiker will encounter, so it gets a special shout-out. Also, the eponymous Lonesome Lake itself is a great swimming hole, so, you know. The trail winds away along the sharp ridgeline like a ribbon, with the mountain sloping steeply away on either side.
Be prepared to get your blood pumping on this tough but memorable stretch. If you thought two miles above treeline at Franconia Ridge was a lot, wait until you encounter the Presidential Traverse. The extended trek above treeline affords stunning views in every direction and feels otherworldly. That being said, the exposure can also make the traverse very dangerous in inclement weather.
Since camping above timberline is prohibited, some hikers break up the traverse by staying at Lakes of the Clouds Hut at mile 1,
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