Where is appalachian trail start

A short hike from the parking lot across the street leads to the summit. You can also start a 3. From Blue Ridge, go south on Aska Road to the end. Turn right onto Newport Road, go 4. Drive a scenic 5. There will be a hikers crossing sign. From here you can hike across the bridge for the 3. The trail head is on your left as you drive in, opposite of Noontootla Creek which you will see with the trail bridge crossing it on your right.

It starts as a gradual hike alongside Long Creek. Starting among crowds of thru-hikers, section hikers, and weekenders leading to large numbers of hikers at overnight sites. Higher likelihood of being exposed to norovirus as a result of camping in crowded conditions in the backcountry. Mid-April through May, walk north with spring, with mostly pleasant temperatures and an abundance of wildflowers Very hot, humid weather though the mid-Atlantic states.

Favorable temperatures through southern New England. A dramatic ending on Katahdin. Recommendations and considerations Register your thru-hike at ATCamp to find a less-crowded start date and receive critical updates.

Plan your hike so that you finish at Katahdin in Maine before October 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.

However, hikers do need to plan on reaching Baxter State Park in Maine before October 15 due to severe weather conditions that typically occur starting the increasing frequency in early October.

Weather is the one of the most critical factors in determining when to start a thru-hike. We are part of a unique cooperative-management system, working with numbers of local, state and federal partners to ensure greater protections for the Trail.

Our partners include the National Park Service, the U. Forest Service, dozens of state agencies and 31 local Trail-maintaining clubs. The ATC is largely funded by its more than 42, members and over , supporters located throughout all 50 states and in more than 15 countries. Their support ensures that the one-of-a-kind A.

We prepare and educate millions of visitors each year as they explore the natural and cultural wonders of the Trail. We promote outdoor ethics to minimize the impact visitors have on the environment. We engage our supporters on issues important for protecting the A. We work to ensure that the Trail is protected forever through public engagement, broader landscape protection, and best Trail management practices.

We manage more than , acres that protects fresh drinking water, culturally and historically significant landscapes, threatened and endangered species, and recreation-driven economies.