Trail Updates

05/07/2026

ATC has received several reports of hikers experiencing a stomach bug/gastro-intestinal illness near the Virginia Triple Crown and along the Blue Ridge Parkway up to around Rockfish Gap (NOBO miles 697.5 to 731.1 and NOBO miles 823.9 to 865.1).

Take the following precautions to prevent getting sick on the Appalachian Trail (A.T.):

• Do not eat out of the same food bag, share utensils, or drink from other hikers’ water bottles.
• Wash your hands with biodegradable soap (200 feet from water sources) before eating or preparing food, before touching your face, and after using the bathroom. Hand sanitizer may be ineffective against some causes of stomach bug, like norovirus.
• In areas where stomach bug has been reported, also consider washing your hands with soap and water after touching gear that has come into contact with the group or other shared surfaces: your shoes, pack, stuff sacks, etc.
• Treat all water. Filters do not get rid of viruses. To learn best how to treat your water, see the CDC table below.
• Follow Leave No Trace guidelines for disposing of human waste: if no privy is available, bury your feces at 6-8 inches deep in a cat hole that's at least 200 feet (70 adult steps) from water, campsites, and trails. Wash your hands with soap and water after going to the bathroom.

If you or someone you encounter gets sick on the A.T., please report it to stomachbug@appalachiantrail.org and respond to the follow-up prompts. Reporting helps Trail managers and local health officials track issues on the Trail and implement measures to disinfect shelters.

If you get sick on the Trail, isolate and stay hydrated. Seek medical attention if needed. Learn more about stomach bug on the A.T. and how to stay healthy here.