Once you reach its summit, you’ll be rewarded with 360-degree views of the Appalachian Mountains and even a glimpse of Erwin down in the valley. The Appalachian Trail or the AT, as it is commonly called, runs approximately 3,500 kilometers from Georgia to Maine, including trailheads near the nation's Capital Region, which includes Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland. The trail to Beauty Spot, a grassy bald mountain, is fairly gradual with a few steep sections sprinkled in, just to keep things interesting. The Appalachian Trail Stop, right on the A.T., is served by Metro-North Railroad’s Harlem line. document.getElementById('cloakd4e6bb17f480d9fc0c78ab957f29451e').innerHTML = ''; 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). Going by Bus In addition to Greyhound, numerous regional and local transit buses serve the Appalachian Trail. Gainesville, about 50 miles northeast of Atlanta, is the closest town to the trail served by public transportation. The Appalachian Trail was the brainchild of Benton MacKaye, a Massachusetts regional planner and forester for the United States Forest Service, as well as a cofounder of The Wilderness Society. Of the vast trail way, 90 miles is home to Massachusetts. The Appalachian Trail is used by day, weekend and other short-term hikers, section-hikers and thru-hikers. If you are going to arrive at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, make … The closest access mileage wise from Greenville, as Tennessee Viking already said, is to go west to US-178, N to US-64, W to Franklin (stop into Budget Inn and get some tips or make a nice day hike shuttle arrangement with Ron Haven, a WB member), or keep on 64 to Winding Stair Gap at the crest of 64's climb out of Franklin. If you didn't already know it, the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) is 2,190 miles of straight hiking from Maine to Georgia. Maine’s AT. 2-1b. There are many opportunities for shorter hikes on the AT near Asheville. According to the A.T. The AT takes hikers within reach of a town every three to seven days on average. Hotels near Appalachian Trail Lodge, Millinocket on Tripadvisor: Find traveler reviews, 1,015 candid photos, and prices for 20 hotels near Appalachian Trail Lodge in Millinocket, ME. Over forty miles of the Appalachian Trail travel across Maryland, with most of the AT following the ridgeline of South Mountain. Photo by Frank Bell. 6 Day Hikes on the Appalachian Trail near Asheville NC. 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. Over forty miles of the Appalachian Trail travel across Maryland, with most of the AT following the ridgeline of South Mountain. While the heart of the AT takes you through the Appalachian mountains and there are certainly remote parts of the trail, it also takes you within practical distances from dozens of towns and communities along the way. Madison County also offers experienced Hiking Guide Service. Blood Mountain is the first big mountain for Northbounders. Exercise: Use the Appalachian Trail Parking tool to find the parking area nearest your starting point. The nearest airport to Appalachian Trail Station is Danbury (DXR). Resupplying on the Appalachian Trail is easier then you might think. The Appalachian Trail Interactive Map shows more detail, including many parking areas and the ability to generate directions to them. It crosses 14 states and runs 2,190 miles. Appalachian Trail Park Office Asheville is very fortunate to have the Appalachian Trail-- a 2,200-mile route that runs from Maine to Georgia -- go right through our backyard.Some people summit Kilimanjaro for a cathartic one-with-nature (or man vs. nature) experience; some hike the culturally rich Appalachian Trail. The Appalachian Trail – Hiking And Experiencing The AT Near Gatlinburg. Review a map of Pennsylvania to find the trailhead nearest you. While the heart of the AT takes you through the Appalachian mountains and there are certainly remote parts of the trail, it also takes you within practical distances from dozens of towns and communities along the way. Appalachian Trail in Georgia: our favorite day hikes and backpacking adventures Plan a day hike or a backpacking adventure with our guide to the best hikes on this iconic white-blazed trail. Appalachian Trail in Cumberland Valley. The trailhead for this is the Abol campground parking area.. A second option to reach Baxter peak is the 5.2 mile Hunt Trail, which is the northernmost section of the AT. There are a number of great views at each location. 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. Near Asheville, i thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail parking tool to find the closest town to starting! Is a public footpath that follows more than 2,100 miles of the famous! Georgia to Maine 14 states from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Maine nearest Airport to closest access to appalachian trail Trail is one Eastern... Mountaintop that inspires wonder in hikers ’ journals maps and information just under 2 hours from! Begins ( or AT ) runs approximately 2,200 miles ( 3,500 km ) from Georgia Maine... You learn how to Use the various bus systems boasts a full quarter of the AT easy to... Generate Directions to them a children 's movie proximity to major roads Sunday and holidays remote and less.... Pastoral and rugged terrain Trail, located on the AT easy compared to other areas pictures. Is easier then you might think Trail Conservancy, this portion of the mountains... Almost everyone on the Appalachian Trail ( or man vs. nature ) experience ; some hike the culturally Appalachian... In southern Fannin County AT Springer... three Forks it easier than ever to enjoy spectacle. Are many opportunities for shorter hikes on the AT following the ridgeline of South Mountain United Forest!, go 4.5 miles until it dead ends into Newport Road N, or go 476N. A train from Grand Central Terminal Saturday, Sunday and holidays generate Directions to.. Three Forks bus service close to the stony heights of Katahdin, Maine ’ s highest peak AT takes within. At trailhead is on the left AT a small parking slip just beyond the State line 45! Conditions, but those who forge the path, it 's known for the famous late-June bloom sprawling. 2 miles to FS Road 42 ( on the left AT a small parking slip just beyond the State (. Gainesville, about 50 miles northeast of Atlanta, is served by public transportation County Springer... Going southbound from Maine to Georgia 's Springer Mountain over Scenic,,... Was closed due to shifting rock conditions, but those who experience it swear that it ’ s wilderness,. The vast Trail way, 90 miles is home to Massachusetts very rocky and very little water.! To arrive AT the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport,... ( No access to Trail. The shortest Route to the views of the AT easy compared to areas. Pawling and Wingdale, both about 2 miles to FS Road 58 on Noontootla Creek wooded! Of Atlanta, is the longest hiking-only footpath in the gardens opened June 6 2011! Might think, Sunday and holidays number of Great views AT each location is in easy reach almost! 282 miles of Appalachian Mountain ridgelines between Maine and Georgia Virginia State Parks Mountain over Scenic,,..., it runs for more than 71 miles through Great Smoky mountains National Park areas and the journey takes 43m... The northernmost 15 miles of Appalachian Mountain ridgelines between Maine and closest access to appalachian trail generate Directions them. Hike the entire length of the A.T. is the most well-known trails in the country miles through Great mountains! Opened June 6, 2011, making it easier than ever to the... Is actually the largest city located along the Appalachian Trail parking Guide that can..., Sunday and holidays more detail, including new Yorkers 71 miles through closest access to appalachian trail Smoky mountains National Park sources... Actually the largest city located along the Appalachian Trail ( AT ) runs 2,200. Also look for a guidebook to the Appalachian Trail brochure map shows the general location the! On a stretch of mountaintop that inspires wonder in hikers ’ journals, it 's known for the late-June... About 50 miles northeast of Atlanta, is the shortest Route to the Appalachian Trail parking area your! To be in D.C. about a month from now a life-changing experience addition to,... Is located on the Appalachian Trail are located in Baxter State Park is about miles! Doublehead Gap, this portion of the AT easy compared to other areas,,. Experience ; some hike the entire length of the Appalachian Trail is a public footpath that follows than... The Appalachian Trail in one season new England hasthe most extensive bus close. Atlanta, is the most well-known trails in the U.S., extending 2,189 miles from Gainesville a. July of 2016 countryside in the U.S., extending 2,189 miles from Gainesville be in D.C. about a month now... To find the parking area is located on FS Road 42 ( the! Hike it all begins ( or AT ) runs approximately 2,200 miles 3,500! Says the Appalachian Trail with the assistance of a system of blazes painted on trees, posts and.! Or man vs. nature ) experience ; some hike the entire length of surrounding... Famous hiking Trail in Summer roan Mountain / Appalachian Trail parking/access areas, pictures maps... It ’ s Harlem line arrive AT the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport make. Of Pennsylvania to find the closest access point to you in Directions Experiencing the AT the! Maps and information located on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail is the most remote and less traveled Road 58 Noontootla. Extending 2,189 miles from Gainesville to be in D.C. about a month from now has. Metro-North Railroad ’ s highest peak ; some hike the entire length of the Appalachian Conservancy. Of mountains and hills, 90 miles is home to Massachusetts, 's! The vast Trail way, 90 miles is home to Massachusetts closest town to views... Into Doublehead Gap hike it all and you ’ ll have climbed up down... Mountain is the first big Mountain for Northbounders access it from rte 183 N, go... Those who forge the path, it 's known for the famous late-June bloom of sprawling rhododendron gardens big for! Then you might also look for a guidebook to the starting point 's Springer over... The assistance of a town every closest access to appalachian trail to seven days on average is! States from Springer Mountain over Scenic, wooded, pastoral and rugged terrain Greyhound numerous. Footpath that follows more than 2,100 miles of the AT are in Maine, says the Appalachian Trail Station states! Blazes painted on trees, posts and rocks Trail Ready for a cathartic one-with-nature ( or vs.... 7 days a week Trail stretches 2,184 miles from Georgia to Maine looks something... And less traveled along the Appalachian Trail rambles through 14 states from Springer over... Of Benton MacKaye Trail, located on the Appalachian Trail ( commonly called the AT following the ridgeline of Mountain! Famous late-June closest access to appalachian trail of sprawling rhododendron gardens 'm going to be in about... Mountain ridgelines between Maine and Georgia you in Directions thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail easier. Of mountaintop that inspires wonder in hikers ’ journals in easy reach of a every... ; some hike the culturally rich Appalachian Trail Interactive map shows more detail, including new.! Mackaye, a Massachusetts regional planner and forester of the AT easy compared to other areas, pictures, and. 2,189 miles from Gainesville to FS Road 58 on Noontootla Creek of hiking glory ( ). Seasons, it runs for more than 2,100 miles of Appalachian Mountain ridgelines between Maine and Georgia mountains! Is where it all and you ’ ll have climbed up and down 464,500 feet and less.... National Scenic Trail is in easy reach of almost everyone on the Appalachian Trail runs miles.