Plan and Prepare
Alternate Trails
The Appalachian Trail affords a unique and memorable experience. But, if it’s solitude you’re seeking or only have a couple of days to hike, consider the following trails as alternates to the Appalachian Trail.
| State | Trail | Link | Length (miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | Florida Trail* | The Florida Trail Association | 1000 |
| Alabama | Alabama Pinhoti Trail* | Alabama Pinhoti Trail Alliance | 171 |
| Georgia | Georgia Pinhoti Trail* | Georgia Pinhoti Trail Association | 160 |
| South Carolina | Palmetto Trail* | Palmetto Conservation | 500 |
| South Carolina/North Carolina | Foothills Trail | Foothills Trail Conservancy | 77 |
| Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina | Benton MacKaye Trail* | Benton MacKaye Trail Association | 288 |
| Georgia/North Carolina | Bartram Trail | Bartram Trail Society | 115 |
| North Carolina | Mountains to the Sea Trail | Friends of the Mountains to the Sea Trail | 1175 |
| Tennessee | Cumberland Trail | Cumberland Trails Conference | 210 currently |
| West Virginia | Allegheny Trail | WV Scenic Trails Association | 288 |
| Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania | Tuscarora Trail* | Potomac Appalachian Trail Club | 250 |
| Ohio | Buckeye Trail | Buckeye Trail Association | 1444 |
| Pennsylvania | Maxon-Dixon Trail | Mason Dixon Trail | 199 |
| Pennsylvania | Mid-State Trail | Mid State Trail Association | 330 |
| Pennsylvania | Standing Stone Trail | The Standing Stone Trail | 84 |
| Pennsylvania | Horse-Shoe Trail | Horse-Shoe Trail | 140 |
| Pennsylvania | The Baker Trail | The Baker Trail | 134 |
| Pennsylvania | Conestoga Trail | Conestoga Trail | 63 |
| New Jersey | Batona Trail | Batona Trail | 50 |
| New York | Taconic Crest Trail | Taconic Hiking Club | 37 |
| New York | Finger Lakes Trail | Finger Lake Trail Association | Length varies |
| New York | Long Path | New York-New Jersey Trail Conference | 358 miles |
| New York | Northville Placid Trail | Northville-Lake Placid Chapter of ADK | 133 |
| New Jersey, New York | The Highlands Trail | New York-New Jersey Trail Conference | 100+ miles |
| New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts | New England Scenic Trail | New England Scenic Trail | 215 |
| New Hampshire | Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway | Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway | 50 |
| New Hampshire | Cohos Trail | Cohos Trail | 162 |
*Recommended for “spring break” hikes by the trail-managing organization.
Still planning an overnight, multi-day, or thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail? Register your hike using our ATCamp system to help choose a date and starting location that will help you avoid crowded trailheads and campsites.
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