Appalachian Trail Active and Adventure Travel Guide

Appalachian Trail Active and Adventure Travel Guide

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Active and Adventure Destinations Near Appalachian Trail

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Northeast Active and Adventure States/Provinces

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Mount Katahdin in Baxter State Park, Maine
Mount Katahdin in Baxter State Park, Maine, the northern terminus of the AT (Jeremy Woodhouse/Photodisc/Getty)
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Appalachian Trail Active and Adventure Travel Tips

By Toby Gohn
  • The Appalachian Trail (AT) is 2,178.3 miles long, stretching from Maine to Georgia, and passes through 14 states. The elevation gain and loss over the entire AT is equivalent to hiking from sea level to the summit of Mt. Everest and back to sea level... 16 times.
  • Hiking the AT should not just be considered an isolated, hiker-vs-nature challenge, but also a chance to see small town America and meet people from all walks of life. What other hiking expeditions cross paths with coal miners from West Virginia, dairy farmers in Pennsylvania, Ivy League students in New Hampshire, ex-Wall Streeters in Connecticut, loggers in Maine, and reclusive Appalachian people in the secluded corners of the mountains?
  • More than 90 percent of the thru-hikers head north from Georgia to Maine, though you can also flip-flop, dividing the route into two large sections; as long as you hike every mile, you're good.
  • Section hikers chip away at the AT year after year, doing sections at a time. If every mile of the trail is hiked, section hikers are also considered part of the 2,000 mile club, or an AT thru-hiker.
  • The AT is also a wonderland for day, weekend, and weeklong outings with stunning scenery and notable historical sites present in almost every state.
  • Anyone considering a hike on the AT should pick up a copy of Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers' Companion (Appalachian Trail Conservancy), which combines the existing AT data book with historical and logistical information on the trail, including info on mileage, shelters, road crossings, water sources, and trail towns.

Active and Adventure Overview: Appalachian Trail

By Toby Gohn
The Appalachian Trail is a multi-state public footpath across 2,175 miles of Appalachian Mountain ridgelines from Maine to Georgia. Roads that cross it for all but its northernmost 100 miles give ready access. The Trail is protected along more than 96 percent of its course by federal or state ownership of the land itself or by rights-of-way. Read More

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Hotels

from: $113

Inn at Jim Thorpe

24 Broadway
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229 Map

Distance: 488.5 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 3 class stars

Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0
from: $104

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites EAST GREENBUSH(ALBANY-SKYLINE)

8 EMPIRE DRIVE
Rensselaer, NY 12144 Map

Distance: 327.0 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 3 class stars

from: $119

Residence Inn Albany East Greenbush/Tech Valley

3 Tech Valley Drive
East Greenbush, NY 12061 Map

Distance: 327.3 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 3 class stars

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Attractions

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Airports

Major Airports near Appalachian Trail

Distance (mi.)
Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport 235.3 map
Boston Logan International Airport 265.7 map
Halifax International Airport 271.9 map

Other Smaller Airports near Appalachian Trail

Distance (mi.)
Presque Isle Municipal Airport 68.2 map
Bangor International Airport 76.5 map
Rockland Knox County Regional Airport 127.3 map

Feature Articles

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Appalachian Trail Vacation Rentals

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from: $115

Sojourners Lodge

Bedrooms: 1
Bathrooms: 1
Sleeps: 2
Amenities: Air Conditioning, CD Player, Cable/Satellite TV, Ceiling fans, DVD Player, Dishes, Dishwasher, Fireplace, Full kitchen, Laundry, Linens, Microwave, No Pets, Non-Smoking, Oven, Phone, Refrigerator, Stereo, TV, VCR
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from: $85

Sojourners Lodge

Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4
Amenities: Cable/Satellite TV, DVD Player, Dishes, Dishwasher, Fireplace, Full kitchen, Jacuzzi, Laundry, Linens, Microwave, No Pets, Non-Smoking, Oven, Phone, Refrigerator, TV, VCR
check rates
from: $85

Sojourners Lodge

Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4
Amenities: Ceiling fans, Coffee Maker, DVD Player, Dishes, Dishwasher, Fireplace, Full kitchen, Jacuzzi, Laundry, Linens, Microwave, No Pets, Non-Smoking, Phone, Refrigerator, TV, VCR
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