Appalachian Trail: Fontana Dam to Newfound Gap
Multiple peaks, steep climbs, and open meadows highlight this 40.6-mile trip in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
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Appalachian Trail featured hikes / reader trips
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Harpers Ferry: Loudoun Heights via the ATHop a train for a weekend on Blue Ridge trails near the headquarters of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Appalachian Trail: Max Patch Road to Hot Springs, NCEnjoy panoramic Smokies views on blueberry- and rhododendron-lined trails on the way to French Broad River, where relaxing hot springs await. Appalachian Trail: TN 91 to Damascus, VAGet lost in a mixed forest of evergreens and hardwoods on this fairly flat 20.3-mile hike with multiple camping spots and a steep final descent into Damascus.
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Appalachian Trail: CT 4 to West Cornwall RoadDon't let the mileage fool you. This 4.9-miler packs in two summits, crosses a rushing brook, and provides idyllic views of the Housatonic Valley. Appalachian Trail: Hoyt Road to CT 341This scenic 11.2-miler crisscrosses the New York-Connecticut border three times and rewards hikers with numerous views of the Housatonic Valley.
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Climb This Peak: KatahdinThis iconic summit shouldn't be rushed. Save the experience on this 33-mile trek. 
Best Damn Weekend Ever: Vermont's Bourn Pond-Stratton Pond LoopHike this burly wonder to find out what inspired the Appalachian and Long Trail's founders. 
American Classic: Hiking the Appalachian TrailIn this ultimate guide to the country's favorite footpath, you'll find our picks for the best hiking and camping, and a complete plan for thru-hikers. Plus, meet a man who has made it his job to help AT hikers. |
Pack Man: The Appalachian Trail GuruThirty miles up the trail from Springer Mountain, Winton Porter shelters and feeds thru-hikers–and works tirelessly to slash their pack weight. 
The Long Trail to JailIs he a pilgrim, a victim, or a thief? The Appalachian Trail provides a path and refuge to all sorts of seekers. Few are as baffling as the man they called Saved. Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike Gear ListWe've got your Appalachian Trail packing list dialed. Here, take stock of what you'll need to thru-hike the trail. Just print it out and get packing. |
AT Nature Photo GalleryWildflowers, bugs, and other nature photographs shot by our map correspondent on the AT © Jeff Chow 
AT Shelter Photo GalleryA few of the shelters and lean-tos found along the length of the Appalachian Trail © Jeff Chow 
AT Panoramic Photo GalleryA collection of five-star overlooks along the Appalachian Trail © Jeff Chow |
AT Interview: Correspondent Jeff ChowJeff Chow spent 10 months mapping every mile of the AT for BACKPACKER. Learn about his favorite spots and hard-earned tips here. |
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Photos + Videos
2009 Editors' Choice Award Winner: Garmin Oregon 400t GPSMeet the ultimate GPS: simple enough for beginners, powerful enough for experts. Rocky Mountain Editor Steve Howe gives you the tour. |
Editors' Choice Awards: Sierra Designs Lightning XT4 TentFour is not a crowd in this family-size featherweight. |
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Adventure Weekends: Luxury Hiking and Camping
We've got a selection of cozy shelters and trail-side restaurants from Washington to Maine. Check out these hikes in the Rockies, the Northeast, and the Northwest.
Hiking The Annapurna Circuit: Q&A With Shannon Davis
Associate editor Shannon Davis tells us more about the highs and lows of his honeymoon trek (featured in March 2009's "The Perfect Circle") on the sky-scraping Annapurna Circuit in Nepal.
American Classic: Hiking the Appalachian Trail
In this ultimate guide to the country's favorite footpath, you'll find our picks for the best hiking and camping, and a complete plan for thru-hikers. Plus, meet a man who has made it his job to help AT hikers.
Top 3 Winter Hut Treks
Trek into the wilderness but sleep in comfort with these hut treks
Mt. Adams: Solitude On Ice
Test your self-arrest skills on Mt. Adams's 12,276-foot fractured glacier.
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