The Trail Is Waiting
Plan and Prepare
Hiking Basics
Hiking even just a portion of the Appalachian Trail is the adventure of a lifetime, but you’ll enjoy that adventure even more if you’re prepared. Brush up on the basics below.
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.
Leave No Trace
Learn sustainable hiking and camping techniques to preserve the Appalachian Trail for all those who follow in your footsteps and those who call the Appalachian Trail home.
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Where to Hike
Our Favorites for a Winter Adventure
These hikes are not only enjoyable, but also safe for a colder day
By Jennifer Pharr Davis
Scenic Views
Wide-open vistas beyond the footpath offer respite and are essential to the Wild East.
By Marina Ritchie
Wild Skyway
Wherever you are on the Appalachian Trail, birds offer sweet companionship. Yet, as hiker numbers soar, bird populations tumble.