Der Appalachian Trail – 3.440 km long walking route in the eastern USA

Fast 3.500km lang ist der Appalachian Trail in den USA und er ist damit einer der längsten Fernwanderwege überhaupt.  Er verläuft  vom Süden der USA in Georgia bis in den Norden nach Maine. The trail leads to the Long Distance Hiking – Thru-Hiker through 14 U.S. states. Since the completion of the AT is one of the most popular long distance walks in the U.S. with a very special aura.

The Appalachian Trail is only briefly mentioned by Weitwandern AT

The AT does not have a historical origin,The idea for this route has already been 1921 published by Benton McKay. The opening of the trail was only to the 14. August 1937 held. According to initial plans should be along the way including hotels, Conservation stations and even create self-sustaining communities. To this end it has gone in this way before. 1925 was the Appalachian Trail Conference (ATC) founded. then objective was to connect the highest points in the East:  Mount Mitchell mit 2.037 m und Mount Washington mit 1.917 m.

The AT passes through the Appalachian Mountains, one of the oldest mountains in the world with a height of up to 2.037 m. He crossed 14 States: North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire und Maine .

4-6 Months on the Appalachian Trail

To the entire Appalachian Trail “expire” needed, depending upon condition and about physical condition 4- 6 Months. Most Trekking – The “Thru-Hiker” – start their tour from March to April in the southern end at Springer Mountain in Georgia. The AT means is not “extremely difficult places” would have to be conquered for the, But he is in the sum of its properties, and in view of its length, of course, already a very big challenge.

Permanent Berauf and downhill with a little distance vision

Even from the start to go downhill, and it almost always berauf. The most time führ the path through the dense forests of the Appalachians. Viewpoints, that allow the eye to wander off into the distance or even time to share the view of the end of the day's stage, are rare.

The overnight stay on the trail usually takes place in such shelters gennanten. These solid wood huts are equipped with walls on three sides and open on the fourth side. Except for a sleeping platform can be found in these hats usually no facilities. Can almost always near the Shelter are also tents. This is sometimes necessary, because you can not vorreservieren the sleeping place, and so late in arriving at the shelter to these places can also be documented before. chalets as they are entertained as. known from the Alps, can be found along the trail, not.

Stay in simple shelters – the Shelters

Fill up the food shopping and you can usually every 4-5 Days in a village in the vicinity of the trail. This is often achieved only in the one operated as a hitchhiker. This is a mode of transport that is frowned upon in the United States actually, but in the vicinity of the trail quite well.

Get water is usually not a problem on the AT. A water filter but it should be kept strictly.

The AT requires a very good physical and mental condition

Many get the start in the spring, the end of the Appalachian Trail in Maine on Mount Katadhin not. Even if there are no official figures on, why the tour has been canceled , it is estimated that 80% those who give up more of a mental than a physical problem the trail have to go to the end.

The AT in stages -

Hikes along the Appalachian Trail

Can not go if you do not want to go the whole trail, or for reasons of time,to recommend the following regions for a trip to stages of the AT (from south to north):

Great Smoky Mountain National Park – This section offers many possibilities on other trails in the park to make round trips ,that follow some of the AT. The GSM-NP is just in the summer months relatively well attended.

Shenandoah National Park – This section is described by AT hikers often considered the most beautiful part. This is partly due to the fact that unlike other sections every now and then has the opportunity to enjoy the scenery of viewpoints. In addition, here are rarely to be found great climbs and descents. You wander more or less as on the ridge.

White Mountains in New Hampshire

Many alternative trails also provide tours (even several days) plan to integrate with the AT.

100 mile Wilderness – the wildest part of the AT

Around 100 Miles almost without civilization influences. This part of the AT requires good preparation and conditioning.

Baxter State Park in Maine
- The spectacular finale

From “Climbing” of Mt. katahdin, the end point of the Appalachian Trail offers this park apart many opportunities for day and longer walks in the Abgeschidenheit. The park is accessible only by a single dirt road and is one of the most pristine areas of the Northeastern USA.

Books

• Bill Bryson – Picnic with Bears
• Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers’ Companion
• Bill Irwin: Dark night in broad daylight – A blind man on the Appalachian Trail
• Tickets to the Appalachian Trail

links

• fastpacking.de
• Appalachian Trail Conservancy
• Global-AV.ch

Related Articles

1. Walking route in Israel – Der Israel National Trail (INT)
2. A walk for Sunshine: A 2,160 Mile Expedition for Charity on the Appalachian Trail
3. Arizona Trail – Trekking in the Wild West of the USA
4. The Hallandsleden – Long-distance path in southern Sweden
5. Hiking in Florida – Der Florida Trail

Written by Michael - Updated 22. August 2009

Tags:Appalachian-Trail, Fernweg, USA