The Appalachian Trail, or simply The A.T., is a marked hiking trail in the eastern United States, extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. 

Along the way, the trail also passes through the states of North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire.

Daily Mileage Chart        Appalachian Trail Map        2009 A.T. Thru-Hiker's Companion

Appalachian Trail Miles Completed:  955.6 of 2178.3  (43%)

• Dec. 31, 2009 - Jan. 3, 2010 : Big Meadows to Compton Gap Trail [45.2 miles]
• November 6-10, 2009 : Rockfish Gap to Big Meadows Campground [61.7 miles]
• July 15-18, 2009 : James River to Rockfish Gap [77.2 miles]
• June 11-13, 2009 : Daleville, VA to the James River [56.7 miles]
• April 25-27, 2009 : Virginia 42 to Daleville, VA [52.3 miles]
• January 1-2, 2009 : Virginia 635 to Virginia 42 [20.6 miles]
• November 7-10, 2008 : Virginia 606 to Virginia 635 [43.6 miles]
• October 9-12, 2008 : Mt. Rogers NRA to Virginia 606 [74.5 miles]
• September 11-14, 2008 : Damascus to Mt. Rogers NRA [63.8 miles]
• August 14-16, 2008 : Dennis Cove to Damascus, VA [50.2 miles]
• June 26-29, 2008 : Erwin, TN to Dennis Cove [70.6 miles]
• May 29 - June 1, 2008 : Tanyard Gap to Erwin, TN [62.1 miles]
• April 23-25, 2008 : Pigeon River to Tanyard Gap [40.2 miles]
• March 27-29, 2008 : Newfound Gap to Pigeon River [44.2 miles]
• February 7-9, 2008 : Fontana Dam to Newfound Gap [40.7 miles]
• January 17-20, 2008 : Winding Stair Gap to Fontana Dam [56.3 miles]
• December 27-29, 2007 : Dicks Creek to Winding Stair [40.0 miles]
• November 8-11, 2007 : Neels Gap to Dicks Creek Gap [36.1 miles]
• October 12-14, 2007 : Amicalola Falls to Neels Gap [39.3 miles]

• Length: 2,178.3 miles
• It takes approximately 5 million footsteps to walk the entire length of the Trail
• Lowest elevation: 124 feet (Bear Mountain Bridge over the Hudson River in NY)
• Highest elevation: 6,625 feet (Clingmans Dome in Tennessee)
• The Trail was completed in 1937
• Elevation change: 90 miles
• Hazards: severe weather, American black bear, wild boar, Lyme disease, steep grades, limited water, poison ivy, and venomous snakes
• From 1936 to 1969 only 61 people completed the Trail
• Ten people completed the Trail in 1970
• About 30 people have hiked the Trail three or more times
• "Northbounders" hike from Springer Mountain to Katahdin in one continuous journey; they represent more than 65% of the hikers who complete the entire Trail.
• "Southbounders" hike from Katahdin to Springer Mountain in one continuous journey; they represent 10% of the hikers who complete the entire Trail.
• "Flip-floppers" complete the Trail in one trip, but with an alternate itinerary; they make up about 5% of the hikers who complete the entire Trail.
• "Section-hikers" complete the Trail in more than one trip; they represent about 20% of the hikers who complete the entire Trail.
• 488 people completed the Trail in 2006 (334 Northbounders, 28 Southbounders, 25 Flip-floppers, and 101 Section-hikers)

  Josh Wakefield's Backpacking