9 Mind-Blowing Facts About the Appalachian Trail

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The Appalachian Trail (A.T.) is a nearly 2,200 mile hiking trail that follows the Appalachian mountain range in the Eastern US. 

The A.T. is also among the longest continuously marked trails, with about 165,000 white blazes guiding hikers all the way.

The A.T. is the Longest Hiking-only Footpath in the world 

#1

The A.T. passes through all but three of the original 13 colonies, from Georgia to Maine. Virginia has the most miles of the trail, with over 500.

Passes through 14 Different States 

#2

The A.T. is maintained by an army of volunteers organized into 31 clubs. They do everything from painting blazes to building shelters 

Largest and Longest-Running Volunteer Conservation Project

#3

The elevation gain/loss of hiking the entire A.T. is the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest 16 times The total elevation change of the A.T. is about 464,464 feet 

A.T. Elevation Challenge

#4

On average, the A.T. crosses a road every four miles. The trail also runs through several towns and near many others.

Civilization is closer than you think

#5

A thru-hike is a continuous hike of the entire trail in one season. The first person to do it was Earl Shaffer in 1948.

Under 22,000 A.T. thru-hikes

#6

The length of the A.T. changes slightly each year due to relocations and measurements. 

The A.T. has grown to 2,198.4 miles in length for 2023 

#7

The A.T. passes through diverse habitats, from forests to meadows. Some of the animals you might encounter include bears, deer, moose, snakes, and birds.

A.T. hosts Diverse Wildlife

#8

The A.T. was conceived by Benton MacKaye in 1921 as a way to connect people and nature. The trail has inspired many books, movies, and songs over the years.

A.T. Rich History

#9

Next: 7 Remote U.S. Destinations for a Secluded Escape

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