The Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail is America's first national scenic trail and one of the longest marked footpaths in the world. Conceived in 1921 by forester Benton MacKaye, the Appalachian Trail winds 2,100 miles, through 14 states, eight national forests and six national park areas. Its route lies within a day's drive of half the population of the United States.

About one quarter of the Appalachian Trail is found in Virginia, and of that a majority of the trail runs through the Stonewall Jackson Area Council, BSA. A small section to the north of the Shenandoah National Park is privately owned, and care should be taken because permission to travel this section could be revoked at any time because of misconduct. The Commonwealth of Virginia has been attempting to include the entire trail under publicly owned lands or under agreements with landowners. Shenandoah National Park has more than 100 miles of excellent trails and numerous side trails are available for branching out into the Blue Ridge Mountains. The trail then later enters Jefferson National Forest.

In North Carolina, the trail winds about 200 miles across the mountains of the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests. Hikers there do not need permits to use the trail, but permits are required when entering Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the North Carolina-Tennessee border.

Several outstanding guidebooks are available to assist hikers along the trail. Maps can be obtained from offices of the various national forests along the trail.

Appalachian Trail Conference -- P.O. Box 807, Harpers Ferry, W.Va. 25425-0807.

Tidewater Council, Boy Scouts of America
Serving the youth of Southeastern Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina