How long does it take the average hiker to complete the Appalachian Trail?
How long does it take the average hiker to complete 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.
How far apart are the shelters on the Appalachian Trail?
There are more than 250 backcountry shelters located along the A.T. at varying intervals. They are an average of about 8 miles apart, but can range from 5 miles to 15 miles apart, or even as much as 30 miles apart when there is a town with some sort of lodging in between.
How many hours a day do people hike the Appalachian Trail?
In our experience, especially if you're new to thru-hiking, your body will only be up for so much initially. Thru-hikers generally start in a lower mileage range, hiking 8 to 10 miles per day, then increase their miles as their bodies allow, generally between 10 to 16 miles per day.
How many miles a day can you hike 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.
Can you camp anywhere on the Appalachian Trail?
Hikers are required to stay at designated campsites or shelter sites in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina, the Triple Crown/McAfee Knob area of central Virginia, and many areas from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia northward.
What is the best month to hike the Appalachian Trail?
Recommendations and Considerations Read why here. 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.
Can beginners hike Appalachian Trail?
Despite how intimidating that may sound, beginners can scale the Appalachian Trail's numerous mountains and treat themselves to some of the most gorgeous views on earth.
Which state has the most Appalachian Trail?
Virginia has the most mileage of the trail of any state with 550.3 miles (885.6 km) of the trail (one-fourth of the entire trail), including more than 20 miles (32 km) along the West Virginia border.
Can you 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.
What is the hardest part of the Appalachian Trail?
Katahdin, the mountain you climb on your first day, is arguably the hardest climb on the A.T. It features more than 4,000 feet of elevation gain, the greatest sustained ascent on the entire Appalachian Trail. It is a scramble. Expect to use your hands as you climb over steep boulders and ledges above treeline.
Where do you sleep on the Appalachian Trail?
Shelter life Not only are they the best places to stay dry, but they reduce hikers' impact on the Trail environment. A typical shelter, sometimes called a “lean-to,” has an overhanging roof, a wooden floor and three walls. Most (but not all) are near a creek or spring, and many have a privy nearby.