20 Best Appalachian Trail Guide Book (2026 Update)

Everything you need to know to complete your thru-hike. the at is a life changing experience and an amazing accomplishment. half of the battle is proper preparation. this book is everything i wish i would have known before setting off on my thru-hike. complete with personal tips and experiences. learn how to budget wisely, save money and not waste cash. know how to allocate 6 months of your time and plan your exit. master your gear with a massive guide on everything from your spork to your tent. understand clothing, layering and materials. hear about what life is really like on the trail. know which direction to go, when and why. familiarize yourself with a state by state breakdown of the trail. learn how to mentally prepare an optimistic framework for the "i-wanna-quit-days". understand the physical demands and methods to prevent injury. prepare yourself for the nutritional needs with food ideas and favorite meal plans. know the real dangers on the at. "female needs" section from at record-holder heather 'anish' anderson. and a whole lot more…

The six detached maps (three sheets) included in the packet are water- and tear-resistant in seven colors at a scale of an inch to a mile, with elevation profiles. this area includes the spectacular southern balds, the majestic highlands of roan, and cherokee national forest, as well as the most-visited of the traditional national parks. the book includes detailed trail descriptions as well as thorough background information on towns, archival photographs, historical sites, and geology. vic hasler (northeastern tennessee), leonard bernstein (east-central tennessee and parts of north carolina), and richard ketelle (smokies) are longtime, active volunteers with their respective appalachian trail clubs, who know the sections best because they help maintain them.

The official guide to the 238 miles of the appalachian trail from its southern terminus on springer mountain in georgia (about an hour north of atlanta) to the eastern boundary of great smoky mountains national park on the north carolina-tennessee border. this guidebook comes with four five-color topographic maps printed on two sheets of waterproof, tear-resistant material, for the areas south of the park and national geographic maps' five-color topographic map of the park, with its side trails. the route traverses wilderness areas throughout the chattahoochee-oconee and nantahala national forests, as well as the park, and includes the most rugged sections of the legendary footpath south of new hampshire and maine. all the waterproof, tear-proof maps have scales of about one inch to one mile. the book includes detailed trail descriptions as well as information on overnight sites, water sources, natural and cultural history of the areas, and directions to trailheads. packaged in a resealable bag for convenience on the trail. no batteries, downloads, or service reception required.

Since 2010, the a.t. guide, a.k.a. "the awol guide," has been the guidebook of choice for hikes of any length on the appalachian trail. the book contains thousands of landmarks such as campsites, water sources, summits and gaps. the trail's elevation profile is included and every landmark is aligned to the profile. hikers using this guide know where they are on the trail, what views, streams and campsites are ahead, and whether they'll be hiking uphill or downhill to get there. guide answers all of your questions about how to get rides, where to stay, and where to get supplies. there are 94 maps of towns on or near the trail showing where to find these services and detailed listings for businesses.the a.t. guide is the most innovative trail guidebook ever developed.

The only illustrated book officially published with the appalachian trail conservancy, the appalachian trail explores this legendary footpath in detail: with a foreword by bill bryson and filled with more than 300 spectacular contemporary images, as well as unpublished historical photos, documents, and maps from the atc archives. once inspired by this wonderful celebration of the a.t., readers can plan their own hike using the removable and full-size copy of the official national park service’s map of the entire appalachian trail included inside each book. in celebration of the appalachian trail’s seventy-fifth anniversary, this official book documents in text and photos the history, beauty, and significance of america’s most iconic hiking trail. with fascinating essays on topics ranging from the trail’s history to the day-by-day hiking experience, this book is perfect for anyone interested in conservation, outdoor recreation, or american history, and for all those who dream of one day becoming thru-hikers themselves. completed in 1937 by a small cadre of volunteers, the appalachian trail spans fourteen states, from maine to georgia, and is more than 2,000 miles long. now, seventy-five years after its completion, the a.t. remains america’s premier hiking trail and is known as "the people’s path." visitors from all over the world are drawn to the trail for a variety of reasons, whether to reconnect with nature and see its beauty and wildlife, or to challenge oneself—for two miles or 2,000. out of three million annual visitors, almost 2,000 attempt each year to earn the distinction of "thru-hiker" by walking all five million footsteps in one continuous journey.

Essential for basic planning of any a.t. hike culled from all 11 a.t. guidebooks reflects all major changes from the previous 12 months sometimes termed the bible of a.t. hiking because of its use in essential hike planning, each year's data book consolidates the most basic information from 11 detailed official guidebooks into a lightweight table of distances between major appalachian trail shelters, road-crossings, and features. it is divided according to the guidebook volumes and updated each december to account for trail relocations, new (or removed) shelters, and other changes. in addition to codes for lodging, food, water, and other essentials, the data book is keyed to both the individual guidebook sections and to the separate maps. for 2026, the length of the appalachian trail from maine to georgia (or vice versa) will be officially documented in december 2026 by the 44th edition of this classic work.

A complete guide to the appalachian trail shelters that provide a gathering place and a sense of community along america's most famous footpath.whether you have spent a night or six months on the appalachian trail, every hiker eventually experiences one of the trail's iconic lean-tos or huts. more than 250 such backcountry structures exist on the 2,200-mile route, and they have welcomed hikers since the trail's inception in 1937. the appalachian trail organizes and assembles every single shelter for the first time in this informative and unique resource packed with trail and shelter photos, information, and detailed maps.photographer and writer sarah jones decker thru-hiked the at in 2008 and re-hiked it again in 2018 and 2019 for this massive documentary project. decker worked with the appalachian trail conservancy–and in collaboration with the trail community of hikers, historians, photographers, writers, and clubs–to produce this first-of-its-kind resource. it is the ideal gift for anyone planning or dreaming of a hike on the at.

This is the official guide to the 107 miles of the appalachian trail that bisect shenandoah national park (the route of skyline drive, renowned for fall drives, was the original route of the a.t.). this book includes background information and trail-route descriptions for the a.t., as well as descriptions for about 400 miles of popular side trails in the park, which is located roughly between front royal and waynesboro, va., about one hour from washington, d.c. the detached six-color maps included in the package with the book are scaled at 1:63,360 with 100-foot contour intervals and elevation profiles. this guide is published by the potomac appalachian trail club in vienna, virginia, and distributed by the national appalachian trail conservancy.

This used book is in very good condition. guide 2013 for a newer edition of this book.the a.t. guide is the guidebook of choice for hikes of any length on the appalachian trail. the book contains thousands of landmarks such as campsites, water sources, summits and gaps. the trail s elevation profile is included and every landmark is aligned to the profile. hikers using this guide know where they are on the trail, what views, streams and campsites are ahead, and whether they ll be hiking uphill or downhill to get there.the a.t. guide is the most innovative trail guidebook ever developed; the thru-hiker's handbook had a long history of providing precise and detailed trail information. this edition combines the best of both books into one exceptional offering.features include: – mileages to landmarks north-to-south and south-to-north – elevation profile map for the entire trail – town maps. – mileages from all shelters to the next three shelters in each direction. – gps navigation coordinates for over 200 parking areas. – icons for easy identification of landmarks and services. by jerelyn press [ 9780982980873 ]

This is the official guide to the 236 miles of the appalachian trail from its southern terminus on springer mountain in georgia (about an hour north of atlanta) to the eastern boundary of great smoky mountains national park on the north carolina-tennessee border. the route traverses the chattahoochee-oconee and nantahala national forests, as well as the park, and includes the most rugged sections of the legendary footpath south of new hampshire and maine.this guidebook comes with four five-color topographic maps printed on two sheets of waterproof, tear-resistant material, for the areas south of the park and national geographic maps' five-color topographic map of the park, with its side trails. all the maps have scales of about one inch to one mile.the book includes detailed trail descriptions as well as information on overnight sites, water sources, natural and cultural history of the areas, and directions to trailheads. packaged in an exclusive, kraft display box designed for shelves, with consumer information on the back.

In april 1948, the 11-year-old appalachian trail from maine to georgia was pretty much a wreck: volunteer maintainers who hadn't been called to combat couldn't get rationed gasoline to get out there to keep it clear. in april 1948, so, pretty much, was earl shaffer, self-dubbed the crazy one. he had come home from war in the pacific where he had lost the dearest friend of his life. he needed to walk it off, and he did with the most primitive of gear. in four months, he walked with the merging spring from georgia to maine, bushwhacking to find the route more often than not-becoming the first to report a complete, single-journey trek on this footpath of more than 2,000 miles. more than 7,000 have since followed in his footsteps. these reflections on and from his first of three thru-hikes are often lyrical, full of history and local legend and his own quiet insights on life in the woods in a much different era all around.

With professionally crafted elevation profiles covering 23 miles at a time, 50 maps, and comprehensive tables for more at-a-glance information on-trail. the appalachian trail conservancy and the appalachian long distance hikers association collaborate each year on a guide especially designed for potential thru-hikers who want the basic information for a five- to six-month trek in the woods, at a reasonable price, but also want the adventure of finding out the extras for themselves. a favorite of section-hikers and dreamers, too. still the only such guide written by volunteers for which all the proceeds are returned to the trail by these two nonprofits. with fact-checking research by more than three dozen thru-hiker volunteers in 14 states, backed by the first-hand information of the trail's volunteer and staff maintainers and managers and extensive information from the 2026 a.t. data book. equipment-makers' toll-free numbers, post office hours, much more included.

The central virginia edition covers 226 miles from waynesboro on i-64 to pearisburg on the new river, including parts of the george washington-jefferson national forests and the blue ridge parkway, with a separate section on day and loop hikes in one guide and four maps on two sheets. the pocket-sized planning guide contains background and interpretive information, points of interest, general advice, shelters, water sources, and road crossings. the omnidirectional format allows you to see where you are whether southbound or northbound. each map is focused on the appalachian trail and overlaps with the neighboring maps. the surrounding area, out to about three miles, and additional side trails are also included. an easy-to-use elevation profile shows ups and downs and the distance to the next campsite or shelter, side trails, and water sources. for added interest, maps indicate federal or state lands, road crossings, waterfalls, and scenic areas. the maps, revised in 2018, are both water- and tear-resistant. maps 1 & 2: central virginia; rockfish gap (i-64) to milepoint 92.5, blue ridge parkway peaks of otter overlook, south of buchanan seven-color, 1:63,360-scale topographic maps with 100 feet contour intervals. 1 inch = 1 mile. maps 3 & 4: central virginia; bobblets gaps shelter near blue ridge parkway/peaks of otter overlook to the new river at pearisburg (u.s. 460) seven-color, 1:63,360-scale topographic maps with 100 feet contour intervals. 1 inch = 1 mile.

After losing his wife to breast cancer, paul stutzman decided to make some big changes. he quit his job of seventeen years and embarked upon a thru-hike of the appalachian trail, a 2,176-mile stretch of varying terrain spanning fourteen states. during his nearly five-month-long hike, he battled brutal trail conditions and overwhelming loneliness, but also enjoyed spectacular scenery and trail camaraderie.with breathtaking descriptions and humorous anecdotes from his travels, stutzman reveals how immersing himself in nature and befriending fellow hikers helped him recover from a devastating loss. somewhere between georgia and maine, he realized that god had been with him every step of the way, and on a famous path through the wilderness, he found his own path to peace and freedom.

The ridges and valleys of the appalachians once were the frontier of colonial america. today their centerline is the appalachian national scenic trail, a hiking and backpacking beacon to the world. in between, its route became one of many routes to freedom for the enslaved in the south and mid-atlantic states and then a series of mountaintop battlefields. some argue it began here, with john brown's raid on the armory at harpers ferry, the psychological halfway point of the legendary footpath.hiking through history documents battle sites along the trail from east tennessee to the retreat lines from gettysburg, underground railroad sites from harpers ferry north to maine, and a singular trailside network of farms bought postwar by former slaves in central virginia, their ruins still visible. each site is illustrated with period photographs and a suggested hike, complete with four-color map and detailed description.in the four years of the civil war, hundreds died atop denuded ridges along what is now a peaceful, forested path for recreatrion and reflection. the intent of this volume is to provide to hikers a sense of what happened here more than 150 years ago and provoke them to reimagine the scenery and think about their past as americans.foreword by brian b. king.

An inspirational photographic tour for anyone who wants to get out on america’s most iconic trail—from day hiker to thru-hiker. the appalachian trail spans fourteen states from maine to georgia and is more than 2,000 miles long. now, eighty years after its completion, the a.t. remains america’s premier hiking trail and is known as “the people’s path.” this beautifully illustrated book officially published with the appalachian trail conservancy highlights this legendary footpath with more than 170 spectacular contemporary images taken by the foremost hiking photographer in america. the photographs allow readers to experience the trail as if their boots were on the path—passing by the iconic white trail blazes, taking in the surrounding wilderness at scenic overlooks, meeting other hikers at lean-tos or shelters, and freezing at the sight of a black bear, moose, or other majestic wildlife. this book is perfect for anyone interested in conservation, outdoor recreation, or american history, or for those who dream of one day becoming thru-hikers themselves.

From beginners to thru-hikers, discovering the appalachian trail has something for anyone that wants a connection with the nation's longest marked footpath at approximately 2,181 miles. starting at springer mountain in georgia and finishing far to the north in maine's mount katahdin, the a.t. crosses 14 states, 6 national parks, and 8 national forests. taking on the a.t. is a pilgrimage because of both its beauty and accessibility. let joshua niven and amber adams guide you across the best trails that the appalachian trail has to offer. complete with full-color photography, you'll also have hikes suited to every ability, mile-by-mile directional cues, sidebars, and maps.

Derick lugo had never been hiking. he didn't even know if he liked being outside all that much. he certainly couldn't imagine going more than a day without manicuring his goatee. but with a job overseas cut short and no immediate plans, this fixture of the greater new york comedy circuit began to think about what he might do with months of free time and no commitments. he had heard of the appalachian trail and knew of its potential for danger and adventure, but he had never seriously considered attempting to hike all 2,192 miles of it. then again, what could go wrong for a young black man from the city trekking solo through the east coast backwoods? the unlikely thru-hiker is the story of how an unknowing ambassador of one of the at's least common demographics, unfamiliar with both the outdoors and thru-hiking culture, sets off with an extremely overweight pack and a willfully can-do attitude to conquer the infamous trail. what follows are eye-opening lessons on preparation, humility, race relations, and nature's wild unpredictability. but this isn't a hard-nosed memoir of discouragement or intolerance. what sets lugo apart from the typical walk in the woods is his refusal to let any challenge squash his inner pollyanna. through it all, he perseveres with humor, tenacity, and an unshakeable commitment to grooming–earning him the trail name "mr. fabulous"–that sees him from springer mountain in georgia to katahdin in maine.

"i really loved it… appalachian trials is full of specific tactical tips for mental preparation, which is key well beyond the at." – tim ferriss, author of new york times best selling the 4-hour workweek and the 4-hour body each year, it is estimated that more than 2,000 people set out to thru-hike the appalachian trail, yet seven in ten ultimately fall short of their goal. given the countless number of how-to books and websites offering information about logistics, gear, and endurance training, one would think that more people would finish this 2,200 mile trek. why then, do so many hikers quit prematurely? after successfully thru-hiking the at in five months with zero prior backpacking experience, author, zach davis, is convinced he's discovered the answer. aspiring thru-hikers, davis tells readers, are preparing the wrong way- sweating on the stairmaster, meticulously plotting each re-supply box, or obsessing over the a synthetic or down sleeping bag or perfect pair of socks. while the at undoubtedly presents extraordinary physical challenges, it is the psychological and emotional struggles that drive people off the trail. conquering these mental obstacles is the key to success. this groundbreaking book focuses on the most important and overlooked piece of equipment of all- the gear between one's ears. filled with first-hand, touching yet humorous vignettes and down-to-earth advice that both instructs and inspires, appalachian trials gives readers the mental road map they'll need to hike from springer mountain to mt.katahdin. in appalachian trials readers will learn: goal setting techniques that will assure hikers reach mt. katahdin the common early stage pitfalls and how to avoid them how to beat "the virginia blues" the importance of and meaning behind "hiking your own hike" 5 strategies for unwavering mental endurance the most common mistake made in the final stretch of the trail tips for enjoying rather than enduring each of the five million steps along the journey strategies for avoiding post-trail depression and weight gain in addition, the bonus section of appalachian trials includes: a thorough chapter on gear written by thru-hiker of the at and pacific crest trail, and professional backpack gear reviewer information about the trail's greatest and most unknown risk and how to guard against it 9 tips for saving money before and during your thru-hike a thorough faq section including information ranging from how to obtain sponsorship, to the best stove for the trail, to avoiding chafing, and much more

This easy-to-use guide will help you discover, by car, 74 access points to the appalachian trail, the longest linear park in the world. you will find where it crosses major rivers and the interstate highway system. you will be able to drive to significant sites such as the north and south terminals of the appalachian trail; historical areas near the appalachian trail such as civil war battlefields; areas of natural interest; the high, low, and mid-points on the appalachian trail; the maine/canada border crossing of the developing international extension of the appalachian trail as well as many other places of interest. each site lists tourist information sources (phone numbers and/or websites) and where appropriate short hikes are described. the guide is also intended to help parents introduce their children to some modest hiking and to encourage active people of all ages who love nature and the outdoors to sample parts of the appalachian trail—a portion at a time—perhaps as a life-time achievement. the guide will enable anyone to find and follow the trail by car, thereby reawakening them to some of the magnificent wealth of their natural heritage.