Appalachian Trail facts for kids
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, often called the Appalachian Trail or the A.T., is a very long hiking trail in the eastern United States. It stretches from Springer Mountain in Georgia all the way to Mount Katahdin in Maine. The trail is about 2,200 miles (3,500 km) long. This makes it the longest hiking-only trail in the world, according to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. More than 2 million people hike on some part of the trail every year.
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History of the Appalachian Trail
The idea for the Appalachian Trail began in 1921. It took more than ten years of hard work to build the trail. The Appalachian Trail was officially finished in 1937. Even today, small changes and improvements are made to the trail every year.
Who Manages the Trail?
Many groups work together to keep the Appalachian Trail ready for hikers. Thirty-one different trail clubs help take care of it. The National Park Service and the United States Forest Service also help manage the trail. The nonprofit Appalachian Trail Conservancy plays a big role too.
Most of the trail goes through forests and wild areas. But some parts also pass through towns, roads, and farms. The trail crosses through 14 different states. These states are Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Hiking the Entire Trail
Hikers who try to walk the whole Appalachian Trail in one season are called "thru-hikers". The number of people attempting a thru-hike has been growing steadily. For example, in 2017, 715 people hiked the trail from south to north. Another 133 people hiked it from north to south.
Many books, movies, and websites are made about the Appalachian Trail. There are also many fan groups for the hike. Some super-dedicated hikers even walk the entire trail in one direction, then turn around and walk it back the other way! This amazing feat is known as a "yo-yo".
Images for kids
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Marker on the trail near Sugarloaf Mountain in Maine commemorating its completion.
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Camping regulations in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area of New Jersey
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AT information center in Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania
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AT crossing sign on New Hampshire State Route 112
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Original 1930 ATC copper marker from a tree in New Jersey
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An old metal diamond marker beside the trail in Maine
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A typical white AT blaze along the trail in Pennsylvania
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A blue side-trail blaze, on Mount Greylock in Massachusetts
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A hiker signs the register on Springer Mountain, Ga., southern terminus of the trail.
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Appalachian Trail at Newfound Gap in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, N.C.
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Wheelchair accessible portion of the trail on Cross Mountain, near Shady Valley, Tennessee
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The Pocosin cabin along the trail in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
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Crossing the Potomac River at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, "psychological midpoint" of the trail
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Annapolis Rock Overlook, along the trail in South Mountain State Park, Maryland
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Pedestrian bridge over US Highway 11 in Middlesex Township, Pennsylvania
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Bear Mountain Bridge, New York
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Housatonic River's Great Falls in Falls Village, Connecticut as viewed from the Appalachian Trail.
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View from Mount Greylock in Massachusetts
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Franconia Ridge, a section of the Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire
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Northern terminus of the trail atop Mount Katahdin in Maine
See also
In Spanish: Sendero de los Apalaches para niños
