Appalachian National Scenic Trail

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, or Appalachian Trail, is a 3,450 km (2,144 miles) long hiking path in the eastern United States, which passing through 14 states altogether. It was conceived in 1921 by forester and regional planner Benton MacKaye and completed in 1937. The trail extends along the ridges of the Appalachian Mountains, from Mount Katahdin, in Maine, to Springer Mount, in Georgia.

The largest part of the trail passes through eight national forests and two national parks, but some of its length is still on private property. Hiking and trail clubs maintain shelters and campsites along the path. The Appalachian and Pacific Crest scenic trails, both designated in 1968, were the first two components in the National Trails System. In 1999, the International Appalachian Trail, a 1,110 km (690 miles) long extension of the trail north and east from Mount Katahdin into New Brunswick and Quebec to Cape Gaspé, was dedicated. Sections of this trail pass through Canadian national and provincial parks.