Appalachian Trail

Things To Do Near Appalachian Trail

If you plan to through-hike the Appalachian Trail, climb to the top of Mount Springer in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests by following the eight-mile trail from behind the visitors center at Amicalola Falls State Park. Then, start following the trail markers across Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. You will hike through six national forests, two national wildlife refuges, 67 state-owned facilities, and more than 12 municipal watersheds before completing the hike about six months later. About 51% of this trail runs across private property. Many hikers report that they have the most trouble hiking through Virginia because the southern part of the state contains many ridges that must be climbed before reaching the constant up and down of the roller coaster section. 

Hiking Trails

• Benton MacKaye Trail 

  Start hiking the Benton MacKaye Trail at Davenport Gap in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and finish its 300-mile length on top of Springer Mountain at the start of the Appalachian Trail. It crosses through eight wildlife management areas. It gains over 5,100 feet in elevation as it crosses Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia. 

  Location

  Davenport Gap, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738 

  Length

  300 miles

  Intensity

  Difficult 

• Winding Stair Gap Trail 

  This trail starts off U.S. 64 at Winding Stair Gap. This first half of this trail is almost a solid climb from about 1,000 feet in elevation to over 5,000 feet. This trail passes through the Nantahala Gorge, Little Tennessee River Valley, and Fontana Lake before ending at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. 

  Location

  Winding Stair Gap, Daniel Boone National Forest, U.S. 64, London, Kentucky 40744 

  Length

  27.8 miles 

  Intensity

  Moderate 

• Camp Smith Trail 

  The Camp Smith Trail in Hudson Highland State Park Preserve starts on Bear Mountain Road near the park's entrance. Start the steady climb on this trail that parallels the road to reach the top of Manitou Mountain, where you can see stunning views of New York City's skyline. The trail then heads back down the mountain. 

  Location

  Entrance, Hudson Highland State Park Preserve, Bear Mountain Road, Cold Spring, New York 10516 

  Length

  3.7 miles 

  Intensity

  Moderate

Sightseeing

• Reece Heritage Farm 

  See the restored 20th-century farm buildings, including barns, corn crib, chicken house, smokehouse, and a spring house at Reece Heritage Farm near Blairsville, Georgia. Musicians often play on the weekends at this facility that is open from April to May. Your children will love petting the heritage animals at this location, where farming is done using traditional methods. 

  Location

  8552 Gainesville Highway, Blairsville, Georgia 30512

• Nantahala Outdoor Center 

  Whitewater rafting, kayaking, tubing, and ziplining are available at Nantahala Outdoor Center. They also offer outdoor learning and survival classes, which could be invaluable to someone hiking the Appalachian Trail. Three restaurants are available. 

  Location

  13077 U.S. 19 West, Bryson City, North Carolina 28713

Museums

• Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia 

  Explore how the Meaders, Hewell, Dorsey, and Ferguson families passed pottery-making skills from one generation to the next at the Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia. See a historically accurate pottery shop, and learn how the potter used various tools to create unique vessels. Explore the meaning of common folk-art symbols. 

  Location

  283 Highway 255 North, Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia 30571

• Appalachian Trail Museum 

  The Appalachian Trail Museum in Pine Grove Furnace State Park is dedicated to preserving historical artifacts related to the trail. Learn more about the men and women who have been inducted into the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame. Tour the Ironmaster Hostel, which was one of the first hostels along the trail. See the famous Pine Grove General Store, where some of the first hikers attempted to eat a half-gallon of ice cream in one setting to celebrate reaching the halfway point along the trail. 

  Location

  Pine Grove Furnace State Park, 1120 Pine Grove Road, Gardners, Pennsylvania 17324 

• Walton's Mountain Museum 

  If you love The Waltons television show, then tour this museum located where the director went to school. The rooms in this home are filled with memorabilia from the series. Additionally, learn the role that the soapstone industry played in this community. 

  Location

  6484 Rockfish River Road, Schuyler, Virginia 22969 

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

• Trailful Outdoor Company 

  Find backpacking supplies, including tents and backpacks, at Trailful Outdoor Company. They also sell clothes and boots for the whole family. If you are through-hiking the trail, they offer a mail-drop service. 

  Location

  75 North Main Street, Hiawassee, Georgia 30546 

• Mountain Crossings 

  The Appalachian Trail runs right in front of Mountain Crossings. Get resupplied with food and clothes at this location. They also offer books and maps of the Appalachian Trail. If you are not a hiker, check out their Appalachian Trail gift selections. 

  Location

  12471 Gainesville Highway, Blairsville, Georgia 30512 

• Los Jalapenos Mexican Restaurant 

  Select your favorite Mexican entrée at Los Jalapenos Mexican Restaurant. You will love the Mexican art on the walls and tables. This restaurant offers many large platters at very reasonable costs.

  Location

  3110 TN-126, Blountville, Tennessee 37617 

• The Yellow Deli 

  The Yellow Deli is open 24 hours a day, five days a week, so that hikers can refuel anytime. Their sandwiches are a superb option if you are hiking the trail and tired of cooking, or try their delicious fruit salad. 

  Location

  23 Center Street, Rutland, Vermont 05701 

How To Get To Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail is headquartered in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, near the midway point if you are hiking the trail. It offers maps, exhibits, and other displays related to the trail. It is easy to reach this location from Charleston, West Virginia, and other areas along Interstate 77. 

To follow this route, you will leave West Virginia and travel through Maryland and Virginia before returning to West Virginia. Follow Interstate 77 North and take the left exit to get onto Interstate 79 North. Take Exit 148 to get on Interstate 68 East. Next, take Exit 828 and get on U.S. 40 East. Turn right on Maryland 66 South and left on Old National Pike. At the traffic circle, take the first exit to get on Maryland 67 South. Merge onto U.S. 340 West. In Harper's Ferry, turn right on Union Street and left on Washington Street to reach the Appalachian Trail Conservancy headquarters. 

Address

Appalachian Trail Conservancy, 799 Washington St, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425 

Fee: Entry fee $0

Through-hiking the Appalachian Trail can be done in either direction and takes about six months. Many hikers choose to send supplies ahead. A great option is to rent an RV when you are going to stay in a town for a day or two. Then, you have a comfortable bed and a private shower. You can also hike short sections of this trail or visit sights along it.