Appalachian Trail: route guide

The AT runs one continuous line from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine, following the Appalachian range through 14 states. It is a US National Scenic Trail, designated in 1968, and more than 99% of its course sits on federal or state land or rights-of-way, so the route stays off private property.

There is no single map to buy: the trail is split into maps and guidebooks published by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and its member clubs. For planning, the ATC's interactive map and shelter and campsite lists are the working documents. Cell coverage is unreliable for long stretches, so carry paper maps or downloaded offline tiles for the section you are walking.

Most thru-hikers go northbound (NOBO), starting at Springer Mountain in spring and chasing warm weather up the ridge. Southbound (SOBO) starts at Katahdin in Maine in early summer and finishes in Georgia in autumn. Flip-flops, where you start in the middle and finish at both ends, are common for hikers with fixed dates. Exact start windows and Katahdin access dates change — confirm with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Baxter State Park before booking.

The stages below are the ones that change what you pack and how many days you need. Distances are approximate trail miles between recognisable landmarks (check).

The trail is a seasonal route, not a year-round one. Northbound hikers leave Georgia in spring to reach Maine before cold weather; the summit of Katahdin is normally closed outside the warm season, so a late finish is not an option (check). Southbound hikers start in Maine in early summer, after the mountain opens, and aim to reach Georgia before winter (check).

Section-hikers have more freedom. Spring and autumn are the best windows in the southern and mid-Atlantic states; July and August are hot and humid in the south but the only realistic months for the New England high country. Winter walking is possible at low elevations but the Whites and Maine are specialist trips.

On the trail, you sleep in three kinds of place: shelters (three-sided wooden structures, first-come), designated campsites, and the occasional hut in the White Mountains, which needs a reservation and a fee (check). Shelter rules, fees and reservation systems differ by land manager and change year to year — verify with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the relevant park before you rely on them. In Great Smoky Mountains National Park, shelter and campsite rules and a permit apply (check).

In towns, the trail economy runs on hostels, motels and shuttle drivers. Trail towns such as Hot Springs, Damascus, Harpers Ferry, Duncannon and Monson exist because of hikers, with resupply, laundry and bunks. Book ahead for the Whites huts and for any town stay around a holiday weekend (check). Wild camping is allowed on much of the trail but not everywhere; follow local rules and leave no trace.

By car is the usual way to reach a section. Trailheads have parking lots, often every 10 mi or so in populated areas, but the AT is not a loop, so arrange a pickup at the far end or use a shuttle. Do not leave valuables visible in a parked car.

Two train stations sit on the trail. Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, is served by Amtrak and MARC, with Washington, D.C. under two hours away (check current timetables). In New York, the Appalachian Trail station on the Metro-North line connects to New York City, but trains stop on weekends and holidays only. For a thru-hike, most hikers fly into a major airport and take a shuttle to their start point; confirm shuttle operators locally (check).

The AT is close to towns but still a mountain trail. Treat or filter every water source: streams can carry Giardia even when they look clean. Carry the ten essentials, a paper map and a headlamp, and tell someone your itinerary and expected return date. Use trail registers at the start and end of remote sections.

Pack for three hazards in particular. Hypothermia is a risk in sudden cold rain at elevation, especially in spring and autumn, so bring layers and avoid cotton. Heat exhaustion is the southern summer problem: hike early, drink steadily. Ticks and Lyme disease are common in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, so use repellent, wear long sleeves and do a daily tick check. Black bears live along the trail, especially in the Smokies; use bear cables or a canister and keep food out of your tent.

For a thru-hike, budget for 5–7 months of food, hostels and replacement gear. Costs vary widely, but a common planning figure is USD 1,000–1,500 per month on trail (2026 estimate, check). Permits are needed for the Smokies and for some other sections; check the ATC and park websites before you start (check).