• Avery Peak

    Appalachian

    National Scenic Trail CT,GA,MA,MD,ME,NC,NH,NJ,NY,PA,TN,VA,VT,WV

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  • Stomach Virus Hits Appalachian Trail near Hot Springs, NC

    The US Forest Service has issued an alert: Hikers may want to avoid sections of the Appalachian Trail near Hot Springs, NC, especially the stretch running north to the TN-VA border. A number of hikers have been sickened by a severe, 24-hour stomach virus. More »

Directions

A. GETTING TO THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL BY CAR:

There are more than 500 public road crossings along the Appalachian Trail, with trailhead parking areas at or near many of these crossings.

The Appalachian Trail brochure map shows the general location of the Trail and proximity to major roads.

The Appalachian Trail Interactive Map shows more detail, including many parking areas and the ability to generate directions to them.

The Ultimate Trail Store offers the greatest level of information, including the official A.T. hiking maps and guidebooks, the databook, thru-hiker companion and more.

B. GETTING TO THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL BY TRAIN:

Direct access to the Appalachian Trail by train service is available at two locations - Harpers Ferry, WV (70 miles northwest of Washington, D.C.), and Pawling, NY (80 miles north of New York City).

  • Harpers Ferry, West Virginia:
  • Amtrak has daily service to and from Washington, D.C., Union Station, with westbound trains continuing to Chicago. Reservations required. Maryland Rail Commuter (MARC) service's Brunswick line has two trains a day leaving Harpers Ferry for Washington in the morning and returning in the evening, weekdays only.

C. GETTING TO THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL BY BUS:

Access to the Appalachian Trail by bus is available in some areas. New England hasthe most extensive bus service close to the Trail. In most other areas, you can get a bus to a city near the Trail, and arrange for someone to shuttle you to the trailhead. Check Greyhound and Trailways for details.

Some local service highlights:

  • New Hampshire: Concord Trailways provides service to the Pinkham Notch Visitor's Center in the White Mountain National Forest, and to the town of Gorham. The affiliated Dartmouth Coach provides service to Hanover. Advance Transit public commuter bus provides service in and around Hanover, and connects Hanover with Norwich and the Amtrak station in White River Junction. Runs Monday through Friday only.
  • Massachusetts: Peter Pan Bus Lines serves several towns adjacent to the Trail along Route 7, including Great Barrington, Lee, Pittsfield, and Williamstown.
  • Delaware Water Gap, Pa: Martz Trailways bus terminal provides links to several major cities.

D. GETTING TO THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL BY PLANE:

Below is a list of some airports near the Appalachian Trail, listed north to south.

Did You Know?

Blazes

The A.T. is marked with two inch by six inch vertical white paint blazes.  A double blaze, one above the other, is placed before turns, junctions, or other areas that require hikers to be alert.  There are approximately 165,000 blazes along the Appalachian Trail.