Thru-Hiking

The adventure of a lifetime. But trekking the 2,190 miles of the A.T. is no easy feat, so make sure you're prepared.

Hikers on the Pochuck Boardwalk in New Jersey

what to expect

Completing the entire 2,190 miles of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) in one trip is a mammoth undertaking. Each year, thousands of hikers attempt a thru-hike; only about one in four makes it all the way.

A typical thru-hiker takes 5 to 7 months to hike the entire A.T.
After deciding when and where to begin and then registering your thru-hike, you will need to plan your resupply points and know the camping regulations along the A.T.
Learn the camping regulations along the A.T. and the ATC's expectations for hikers who want to be officially recognized as a 2,000-miler.
In addition to these logistics, physical and mental preparations become important factors in a successful thru-hike. Learn more about all these subjects below.

A "STEP BY STEP" GUIDE TO THE A.T.

FAQs

where to start

Northbound

Starting at Springer Mountain has long been the most popular place to start a thru-hike. But "popular" has led to "crowded" between March 1 and April 15. During this peak starting period, the southern end of the A.T. becomes a continuous stream of hikers during the day, with dozens of hikers clustered around campsites at night.

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Alternative

Increasingly, hikers are choosing to start somewhere in the middle of the Trail. Generally, these alternative itineraries offer a gradual progression from easier to more difficult terrain and more frequent resupplies. You can also avoid crowds and the party atmosphere, follow favorable weather conditions and reduce crowding and minimize resource damage to the Trail.

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Southbound

Maine has never been a popular place to start a thru-hike, and may never be. Katahdin is regarded as the most difficult mountain on the entire A.T. and the route through Maine is, in places, not so much a path as a climb or scramble over rocks and roots. It's no place for anyone who is inexperienced or out of shape to start a long-distance hike.

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voluntary thru-hiker registration for 2018

The voluntary thru-hiker registration is a tool that helps prospective thru-hikers share their start dates with other thru-hikers and plan their itinerary in order to avoid the social and ecological impacts of overcrowding.

Camping

Whether you're pitching a tent in a designated campsite or you're dispersed camping, minimize your impacts and know the camping regulations on the A.T.

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Shelters

There are more than 250 backcountry shelters located along the Trail for backpackers on a first-served basis. Not only are they the best places to stay dry, but they reduce hikers’ impact on the Trail environment.

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Permits & Regulations

No fees or paid permits are required to access the A.T. for simply walking, but some New England campsites impose fees, and you must obtain permits for backcountry camping in two national parks on the A.T.

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Physical Preparation

A thru-hike is a great adventure, and anyone who can walk and has the time and desire can do it. But thru-hiking is a demanding endeavor and requires rigorous physical preparation.

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Mental Attitude

While physical fitness will certainly give you an edge and make your first weeks on the Trail easier, in the long run, mental attitude is more important.

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Workshops & Advice

2,000-milers who are willing to share their experiences and advice, as well as conduct workshops about thru-hiking, can offer valuable opportunities to learn about long distance hiking and help you avoid common mistakes.

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Equipment

The most predictable mistake thru-hikers make when they start is carrying too much stuff. Put as much effort into determining what you don't need as what you do.

Food & Resupply

There's no need to carry more than 3 to 6 days of food on most parts of the A.T. Thru-hikers have techniques for resupplying in towns along the way.

The A.T. Ethic: Hiking Right on the Appalachian Trail

More important than hiking the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) is how you hike the A.T. Check out Trail Karma and Leave No Trace to learn what the Trail expects of you. And if you're helping hikers, explore Trail magic to help you enjoy the A.T. without negatively impacting the environment and other hikers. The 'People's Trail' is not only a national treasure, but a big responsibility for all the people who use it.

Trail Karma

If you take care of the Trail, the Trail will take care of you, that's Trail Karma!.

LNT

Leave No Trace

Please do your part by learning these practices and encourage others to learn about and adopt these techniques which “Leave No Trace” on the Appalachian Trail.

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Trail Magic

Trail magic has charmed A.T. long- distance hikers for decades, surfacing as serendipitous experiences. Trail magic just happens!

report a hike

Section hikers and thru-hikers who complete the entire A.T. can report their journeys to us by filling out the 2,000-miler application. Those who submit their applications will be added to our roster of 2,000-milers and will receive a certificate of recognition, an A.T. patch, and an accompanying 2,000-miler “rocker” patch. Each year the names of those who have reported hike completions in the previous 12 months are published in the Spring issue of A.T. Journeys magazine. Our comprehensive online 2,000-miler listing is updated periodically.

Download the Application

Recognition Policy

We hold high expectations of 2,000-milers that include treating the natural environment, A.T. communities, other hikers, and our agency partners--whose land the A.T. passes through--with kindness, respect, and cooperation;
We operate on the honor system;
We give equal recognition to thru-hikers and section hikers;
We recognize hikers regardless of sequence, direction, speed, or whether they carry a pack;
In the event of an emergency, such as a flood, a forest fire, or an impending storm, blue-blazed trails or officially required roadwalks are viable substitutes for the white-blazed route.