As I read about the adventures of others, I constantly remind myself of the motto of Hiking Lady: “Let the Adventuring Begin”! I recently came across an excellent Appalachian Trail Map published by the National Park Service, and it made me realize how many amazing places there are along the AT!
Click here for a PDF of the Appalachian Trail Map
Click here for a JPG of the Appalachian Trail Map
The Appalachian Trail (fondly known as the A.T.), is a popular journey for thru-hikers, section hikers, and recreational day trippers. (If you don’t know what thru-hikers and section hikers are, check out this Ask Hiking Lady page on thru-hiking). The idea of the Appalachian Trail was thought up in 1921, and by 1937 private citizens built the 2,175 mile long trail! Impressive!
This Appalachian Trail map captures some of its massiveness – it extends all the way from Georgia to Maine, passes through 14 states, and numerous ecological zones.
Other fun facts about the A.T.:
- It is a total of 2,175 miles long. However, there are many other numbers I’ve seen for the distance. Bottom line – it is long!
- Portions of the A.T. are enjoyed by 4 million people per year
- The A.T. is within a day’s drive of 66% of the U.S. population
Hiking Lady’s Recommended Books & Movies about the Appalachian Trail
- Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods Check out the HL book review of A Walk in the Woods here.
- David Miller’s AWOL on the Appalachian Trail
- DVD: TREK – A Journey on the Appalachian Trail
Have you hiked parts of the A.T.? Are any Hiking Lady readers thru-hikers of the A.T.? Please share your stories and comments below!
Happy Trails!