How Much Cost To Hike Appalachian Trail?

How much does it cost to hike the Appalachian Trail? The average cost of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail ranges from $5,000 to $7,000 for a 5- to 7-month hike ; that amount includes gear, trail resupply, and town expenses. Expect to spend about $1,000 a month per person.

Are there fees to hike the Appalachian Trail?

Most areas of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, more commonly referred to as simply the Appalachian Trail or “A.T.,” do not require fees or permits, but a few do .

How much does an AT thru-hike cost?

How Much Does it Cost to Thru-Hike the Appalachian Trail? $3,000 is the easy answer. This doesn’t include gear that you buy before the hike.

Can you hike the Appalachian Trail with no money?

Reason 5: Because you don’t have any money.

Let’s face it, you need money to hike the Appalachian Trail— It costs about $6,000 to support yourself on the trail, and that’s likely without any income . And that doesn’t even cover the cost of your gear.

How should a beginner hike the Appalachian Trail?

1. The Thru-Hiker Appeal. In trail-talk, a thru-hiker is anyone who decides to hike across the AT. ...
2. Setting Out. Should you decide to go for a nobo or solo hike? ...
3. Get in Shape. ...
4. Packing and Resupplying Through the Trek. ...
5. Sleeping Space. ...
6. Take One Day At a Time.

What is the best month to start hiking 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 .

How do people afford a thru-hike?

How do I get paid through hike?

1. Start a Hiking/Travel Blog.
2. Become a Park Ranger.
3. Write a Book About Your Adventure.
4. Lead Guided Hiking Trips.
5. Become a Wildland Firefighter.
6. Get Sponsored by a Gear Company.
7. Start a YouTube Channel.
8. Write for a Hiking Publication.

Do you have to register to section hike the Appalachian Trail?

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) views voluntary registration as a way to enhance your A.T. experience and better manage this natural resource – without additional regulations. Those considering an A.T. thru-hike know the A.T. is one of the world’s most popular long-distance hiking destinations.

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 days does it take to hike the Appalachian Trail?

A thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail typically takes between five and seven months , although speedsters have done it in less than 50 days. The average hiker’s pace is about three miles an hour. This pace may be slower at the beginning of the trail, and become faster as hikers gain muscle strength and confidence.

How many miles a day should you walk 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.

Is it safe to hike the Appalachian Trail alone?

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 to hike 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 long does it take to section hike the Appalachian Trail?

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.

What is the hardest part of the Appalachian Trail?

Mount Katahdin

From the perspective of a northbound thru-hiker, the Appalachian Trail saves the most epic for last. That is to say, the trail’s northern terminus, Mount Katahdin, is not only one of the most challenging ascents of the entire trail, it is also one of the most spectacular.

Where can I 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.

What part of the Appalachian Trail is best to hike?

1. Anthony’s Nose and Vicinity: Above the Hudson River. ...
2. Blue Mountain: Port Clinton to Lehigh Gap. ...
3. Deep in the Delaware. ...
4. The Taconic Highlands: Salisbury to Jug End. ...
5. The Carter Range: Pinkham Notch to the Androscoggin River. ...
6. The Rangeley Lakes Region: Route 4 to Route 27.

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 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 .

How do I train for the Appalachian 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 can I save money on the Appalachian Trail?

1. #2: Make Money with a Hobby. Recycled Bike Chain Earrings. ...
2. #3: Eat at Home. ...
3. #4: Shop Sales. ...
4. #5: Take Advantage of the Holidays. ...
5. #7: Buy Used. ...
6. #8: Budget. ...
7. #15: Find Cheaper Housing. ...
8. #16: Make Handmade Gifts.

How much should you save for hiking?

Ask any thru-hiker how much a hike costs them and the answers can range from $2/mile all the way to $10/mile if sparing no expense. A good rule of thumb is to budget $1100/month for trail expenses.

Can you hike for a living?

So, technically, your answer is yes. Therefore, it is possible . Which means, you can do it too. One person hiking for a living does not mean that there is not enough room in the wilderness to sustain others who might want to bring in an income in a similar manner.

Who is the oldest person to walk the Appalachian Trail?

M.J. Eberhart , 83, is the oldest known person to hike the entire Appalachian Trail. “Eighty percent of it is mental grit,” he said. “And that is why so many people fail.” M.J. Eberhart, an 83-year-old retired eye doctor, had a strenuous weekend.

Who is a famous hiker?

1. Grandma Gatewood. I would never have started this trip if I had known how tough it was, but I couldn’t and wouldn’t quit. ...
2. Andrew Skurka. © JustTooLazy (CC BY 2.0) ...
3. Buddy Backpacker. ...
4. Heather “Anish” Anderson. ...
5. Bill Bryson. ...
6. George “Billy Goat” Woodard. ...
7. Jennifer Pharr Davis. ...
8. Earl Shaffer.