Learn More
Northbound
Northbound (NOBO) – Georgia to Maine
Most thru-hikers start their trips in March or the first half of April at Springer Mountain in Georgia and finish at Katahdin in Maine in September.

A typical northbounder, starting in March or April and finishing in September, can expect:
- Hiking in winter conditions for much of the first several weeks (when starting in March).
- The need to carry good winter gear beyond Mt. Rogers, Virginia (a little more than 500 miles from start).
- Snow, sometimes deep, at high elevations throughout North Carolina and Tennessee.
- Starting among crowds of thru-hikers, section hikers, and weekenders leading to large numbers of hikers at overnight sites.
- Higher likelihood of being exposed to norovirus as a result of camping in crowded conditions in the backcountry.
- Mid-April through May, walk north with spring, with mostly pleasant temperatures and an abundance of wildflowers
- Very hot, humid weather though the mid-Atlantic states.
- Favorable temperatures through southern New England.
- Periods of cold weather in New Hampshire and Maine in September and October.
- A dramatic ending on Katahdin

Recommendations and considerations
- Register your thru-hike at ATCamp to find a less-crowded start date and receive critical updates.
- Plan your hike so that you finish at Katahdin in Maine before October 15.
- Choose Amicalola Falls State Park (instead of Springer Mountain) as your start point. Read why here.
- To avoid crowds and winter conditions, the optimal time to start a northbound thru-hike is the window between April 15 and the first week of May. However, hikers do need to plan on reaching Baxter State Park in Maine before October 15 due to severe weather conditions that typically occur starting the increasing frequency in early October.
- Weather is the one of the most critical factors in determining when to start a thru-hike. Virtually every part of the Appalachian Trail has the potential to receive snowfall through early April. Mountains in the South, especially those above 5000 feet, can receive snowfall—sometimes deep—well into April. The highest peaks in Tennessee, North Carolina, and southwest Virginia receive an average of close to 100 inches of snowfall a year.
- Starting earlier in February means hiking in colder temperatures longer and hiking in deeper snow, with far fewer hikers around. Snowshoes and strap-on traction devices may be needed in the Smokies or other high-elevation areas. A February start is recommended only for those with experience backpacking in winter conditions in steep, mountainous terrain.
The ATC continues to advise long-distance hikers to postpone hikes until 2022 or when the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has deemed the pandemic under control, and/or a COVID-19 vaccine or effective treatment is widely available and distributed. Visit appalachiantrail.org/COVID-19 for more information.
Discover More

Where to Hike
Our Favorites for a Winter Adventure
These hikes are not only enjoyable, but also safe for a colder day

Hiking Tips
What to Know Before You Go
Wide-open views, crisp air and solitude make for a cool hike, but when winter hiking, being prepared is key.

By Marina Ritchie
Wild Skyway
Wherever you are on the Appalachian Trail, birds offer sweet companionship. Yet, as hiker numbers soar, bird populations tumble.