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Facts about the Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail is the
longest hiking-only footpath in the world
The Trail’s southern terminus is at Springer Mountain, Georgia, and the northern terminus is at Katahdin, Maine.
The Trail is
2,197.9 miles long
, passing through
14 states
. This distance typically changes slightly each year due to footpath relocations and more precise measurement techniques.
Completed in 1937, the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) is a unit of the National Park System. It is managed under a
unique partnership
between public and private entities led by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.
5,000+
volunteers
contribute roughly 176,500 hours to the A.T. every year.
More than
260 backcountry shelters
exist along the Trail.
Virginia is home to the most miles of the Trail (about 550), while West Virginia is home to the least (about 4).
Maryland and West Virginia are the easiest states to hike; New Hampshire and Maine are the hardest.
The total elevation gain of hiking the entire A.T. is equivalent to
climbing Mt. Everest 16 times
The A.T. passes through
six National Park Service units
, including:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Blue Ridge Parkway
Shenandoah National Park
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
, and
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
The A.T. also traverses
eight National Forests
, which include:
Chattahoochee National Forest,
Cherokee National Forest
Nantahala National Forest
Pisgah National Forest
Jefferson National Forest
George Washington National Forest
Green Mountain National Forest
, and
White Mountain National Forest
The A.T. also travels through
two wildlife refuges
Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge
and
Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge
The A.T. is home to an impressive diversity of plants and animals, including
1,800 endangered or rare species populations
. Some animals you may see include black bears, moose, porcupines, snakes, woodpeckers, and salamanders. Some plants you may encounter include jack-in-the-pulpit, skunk cabbage, and flame azalea.
Facts About A.T. Hikers
In 2025, the A.T. saw
16.9 million recreation visits
making it the ninth most visited National Park Unit.
The A.T. has hundreds of access points and is within a few hours’ drive of millions of Americans, making it a popular destination for day-hikers.
It takes roughly
5 million steps to hike the entire A.T.
— whether that is over a series of
section hikes or one “thru-hike”
in a single year.
“Thru-hikers” walk the entire Trail in a continuous journey. “Section-hikers” piece the entire Trail together over years.
“Flip-floppers”
thru-hike the entire trail in discontinuous sections to avoid crowds or extremes in weather, or to start on easier terrain.
1 in 4 who attempt a thru-hike successfully completes the journey.
See the latest thru-hiking statistics
Most thru-hikers walk north, starting in Georgia in late winter / early spring and finishing in Maine in fall, taking an average of 6 months.
Foods high in calories and low in water weight, such as Snickers bars and Ramen Noodles, are popular with backpackers, who can burn up to 6,000 calories a day.
Hikers usually adopt “trail names” while hiking the Trail. They are often descriptive or humorous. Examples are “Eternal Optimist,” “Thunder Chicken,” and “Crumb-snatcher”.
McAfee Knob, Jean Ann Bussell
About the Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Founded in 1925, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy works passionately to manage and protect the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
As the only non-profit devoted exclusively to the entirety of the Trail and its landscape, we endeavor to keep its vast natural and scenic beauty healthy, resilient, and connected, so that everyone can experience its transformative power for generations to come. Together with our supporters, partners, and thousands of volunteers, we keep the Trail alive.
The ATC is largely funded by private donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate partners. Their support ensures that the one-of-a-kind A.T. experience is protected from development, increasing use of the outdoors and other impacts.
An all-volunteer staff in Washington, D.C., managed the organization for its first four decades. With central offices in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, a quarter-mile from the Trail since 1972, the ATC today has a full-time staff of about 60, more than a dozen part-time and seasonal employees, and is governed by a 19-member Board of Directors. It has an annual operating budget of $14 million. In addition to its Headquarters and Visitor Center in Harpers Ferry, the ATC manages Visitor Centers in Damascus, Virginia, and Monson, Maine.
Our Vision & Mission
Media Contacts
Luke Weir
Email: lweir@appalachiantrail.org
-930-5207
Ann Simonelli
Email: asimonelli@appalachiantrail.org
Contact
News
Appalachian Trail Sees 16.9 Million Recreation Visits in 2025
New reporting marks the first official visitation data released for the Appalachian Trail, the world’s longest hiking-only trail.
Stories from the Trail
Why the Length of the Appalachian Trail Is Always Changing
Ever since it was first declared "completed" in 1937, the Appalachian Trail has never stopped changing. Discover some of the reasons why.
Essential Tips for Senior Hikers: Hiking the Appalachian Trail in Retirement
As the Director of Visitor Use Management at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and someone who is approaching retirement, I am pleased to see an increasing number of retirees taking on the challenge of thru-hiking the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.).
Why Are So Many Trees Dying Along the Appalachian Trail?
Pests, diseases, climate change, and human activity are all contributing to the loss of key species like oaks, hemlocks, and ash trees. These changes threaten ecosystems, wildlife, and hiker safety. Learn what’s causing this shift, how the Appalachian Trail Conservancy is responding, and what you can do on and off the Trail to protect forest health.
Understanding the Iconography of the A.T.
Over the years, different icons have been used to guide Appalachian Trail hikers, designate official boundaries, and represent the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, which manages the Trail. Learn more about the distinctions between the A.T.'s signs and symbols.
Hike the Appalachian Trail on a Budget: 6 Ways to Save Money on Your A.T. Adventure
Hiking the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) is a dream for many people, but the cost of gear, permits, and other expenses can sometimes be a barrier.
Hiking with a Dog on the Appalachian Trail
Are you thinking about hiking with your dog on the Appalachian Trail? Whether you’re planning a day hike, overnight, section hike or thru-hike, there are some things to do and consider before you and your dog step foot (or paw) on the Trail.
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