The Appalachian Trail is a long hiking route that runs through the eastern United States, passing through 14 states in its 3,500 kilometers in length, being the longest in the country.
"Appalachian National Scenic Trail" is its official name and is one of the 3 great routes that make up the triple crown of hiking in the United States, along with the Continental Divide Trail and the Pacific Crest. Trail ").
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| Appalachian Trail |
Tour several national parks, filled with spectacular mountains, rivers, and forests. You can find numerous fauna, including some dangerous animals such as black bears, snakes and wild boars.
Difficulty
A challenge that many hikers set themselves is to walk the entire trail in one go. Only 10-20% of those who try get it. They are called "thru-hikers".
It is not a path with special complications or risks, but obviously its enormous extension makes it a very complicated challenge. For obvious reasons, most hikers choose to do only one section of it.
Generally, doing the whole route ("thru-hike") takes 5 to 7 months, although it has been done in less time. Many choose to do it entirely, but in different trips ("section-hiking").
Another option is to do it doing "trail running", usually running without luggage and with an assistance car. The record in this modality has been set at 45 days.
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| Appalachian Trail |
Prices
Most hikers do it on their own, carrying a backpack and light camping equipment.
The route is prepared for this type of travel, offering more than 250 shelters and camping sites along it, generally placed so that there is at least 1 shelter for each day of the route.
The shelters are usually simply simple open wooden structures (3 walls), without equipment or services (not even running water, although they are usually close to water sources).
There are not many trips organized by companies to carry out the route, but there are clubs (local and from other countries) that organize excursions to carry it out, totally or partially.
Best time
The best time to do it depends on the direction in which it will be done (if you intend to do it in full) or the specific section you have chosen. It generally runs from south to north (from Georgia to Maine) and begins in March or April (when it is not too hot in the south), to reach the north in summer (when it is no longer cold). During winter it is not advisable due to low temperatures, wind, snow storms, etc.
Appalachian Trail Map
