Completing the entire 2,190+ miles of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) in one trip is a mammoth undertaking.
Each year, thousands of hikers attempt a thru-hike
; only about one in four makes it all the way. A typical thru-hiker takes 5 to 7 months to hike the entire A.T.
Can the average person hike the Appalachian Trail?
It takes the average person anywhere from 5-7 months
, but experienced hikers going for fastest known times have completed the entire trail in under 50 days. Overall, 20% of people who set out to thru-hike the AT will finish.
Do you need a permit to hike the Appalachian Trail?
The Appalachian Trail is free for all to enjoy.
No fees, memberships, or permits are required
to walk on the Trail.
Can you hike the Appalachian Trail with no experience?
At 2,190 miles (3,524 km), the Appalachian Trail is no joke. Many people spend countless nights out in the backcountry and take on years training to be able to complete the trail in one go. However, while
it is possible to complete the AT with minimal experience, it’s not necessarily recommended.
Can I carry a gun on the Appalachian Trail?
In general,
ATC discourages the carrying of firearms on the Trail
for the reasons noted below. On federal lands administered by the National Park Service (NPS) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), possession of a firearm must be in compliance with the law of the state in which the federal land is located.
How many miles a day do you need to hike on the Appalachian Trail?
According to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, most hikers take between five and seven months to complete the AT end to end. According to our data, that translates to an average pace of
14 to 20 miles per day
for most hikers.
How do you shower on the Appalachian Trail?
Showers. Showers are rarely available right on the A.T. Hikers usually shower while at hostels or hotels in towns; less common are campgrounds with shower facilities. To bathe in the backcountry,
carry water 200 feet from the water source in a container and rinse or wash yourself away from streams, springs and ponds
.
When should I start the Appalachian Trail?
To avoid crowds and winter conditions, the optimal time to start a northbound thru-hike is the window
between April 15 and the first week of May
.
Can I hike the Appalachian Trail alone?
If you are currently planning your thru-hike, you may be thinking that you need to hike with someone else. This is not the case.
If you hike alone, you will be fine and probably better off alone than with someone else
. Don’t let your lack of a hiking partner get in the way of you starting a thru-hike.
What is the fastest time for the Appalachian Trail?
In 2011, Pharr Davis set the fastest known time on the Appalachian Trail completing it in
46 days, 11 hours and 20 minutes
. In 2015, Scott Jurek finished 3 hours and 12 minutes faster. New records have subsequently been set by Karl Meltzer, Joe McConaughy, and most recently Karel Sabbe.
How much water should I bring on the Appalachian Trail?
Hydration: Whether you use water bottles or a tube hydration system, have the capacity to carry
at least 2 quarts
.
Can you hike the Appalachian Trail with a dog?
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy pet policy recommends that dogs be leashed at all times
. Keeping your dog on leash is a small price to pay for being able to share hiking adventures with them. Your responsibility for your dog includes making sure he or she remains healthy and comfortable when hiking.
How should a beginner hike the Appalachian Trail?
- The Thru-Hiker Appeal. In trail-talk, a thru-hiker is anyone who decides to hike across the AT. …
- Setting Out. Should you decide to go for a nobo or solo hike? …
- Get in Shape. …
- Packing and Resupplying Through the Trek. …
- Sleeping Space. …
- Take One Day At a Time.
What is the hardest part of the Appalachian Trail?
- Southern Maine. nazdar.britches. …
- White Mountains, New Hampshire. whitemountains. …
- The Roller Coaster, Virginia. Mile Marker : 995 Distance : 13.5 miles. …
- Northern Pennsylvania. Mile Marker : 1,150 Distance : Roughly 150 miles. …
- Mt. Katahdin, Maine. …
- Southern Virginia.
Where do you sleep on the Appalachian Trail?
Where do you sleep along the Appalachian Trail?
There is an extensive system of campsites and shelters
along the Appalachian Trail. Shelters are built and maintained by local volunteers and usually have a water source and additional campsites nearby.
Can you get lost on the Appalachian Trail?
It’s possible to lose a trail, even if you only step off of it by thirty feet
. This is particularly true in dense woods. Take a map if you have one. Let someone know where you will be going and what time you should be expected back.
Can you fish on the Appalachian Trail?
You can access some of the best spots on the 14 mile long Hughes via Skyline Drive, near the Shaver Hollow parking area near milepost 38
. The best spots are about 1.8 miles down to the Nicholson Hollow Trail which runs along the stream. Hiking shoes and waders are essential to fishing this spot.
How big of a backpack do I need for the Appalachian Trail?
The best size backpack for the Appalachian Trail is
around 50 liters
. Some people think it is a great idea to take a 70 liter rucksack but there are ample places to resupply with food and water on the trail and a large backpack will encourage thru hikers to take too much gear.
What is a flip flop hike?
A flip flop thru-hike is
when a hiker starts their hike at a less conventional spot to then return to complete the remainder of the trail
. So, on the Appalachian Trail, instead of starting in Georgia or Maine, you could start somewhere in the middle to head north.
How do I prepare for the Appalachian Trail?
- Budget wisely. You’re going to need some money. …
- Pack light. …
- Get fit. …
- Know why you’re out there. …
- Line up a support person. …
- Prepare “bump boxes”. …
- Bring duct tape. …
- Practice with your gear.
How far can I hike in one day?
Taking this average pace and applying it to an 8-hour hiking day (not including rest breaks), it is possible for an average person to hike between
16 – 24 miles
per day. There are some people in the “super fit” category that are capable of hiking between 30 – 50 miles per day.
Can you drink alcohol on the Appalachian Trail?
The Appalachian trail and alcohol have gone hand in hand for a while. Moonshiners have been making the illicit alcohol along the trail as explained in this exhibit. While there are people making alcohol along the trail,
there are also people drinking it along the trail
.
Who was the youngest person to hike the Appalachian Trail?
Juniper Netteburg
, who finished the trail at age 4 with her parents and three older siblings in October 2020, is the youngest finisher on record.
How many calories do you burn hiking the Appalachian Trail?
An average male hiker, walking at an average speed, carrying between 21-42 pounds, doing a 15-mile day at 2.75 mph would require 689 calories/hour x 5.45 hours to equal
3,758.18 calories
burned. That’s on top of the hiker’s basal metabolic rate (BMR)—the amount of calories burned sitting completely still for a day.
What is a SoBo hike?
Simply put, a NoBo hiker is someone who is hiking northbound on a trail, while a SoBo hiker is
hiking southbound
. These terms are commonly used on long-distance trails like the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail.
How often can you resupply on the Appalachian Trail?
Long-distance hikers leave the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) periodically (
typically every 3-5 days
) to resupply in nearby towns. In remote areas, such as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee/North Carolina and the “100 Mile Wilderness” in Maine, hikers may carry food for 6-8 days or more.
How far apart are shelters on the Appalachian Trail?
There are more than 250 backcountry shelters located along the A.T. at varying intervals. They are an average of about 8 miles apart, but can range from 5 miles to 15 miles apart, or even as much as 30 miles apart when there is a town with some sort of lodging in between.
