The best of the Appalachian Trail: day hikes

Your Comprehensive Guide to the AT’s Best Day Hikes

From Maine to Georgia, the nearly 2,200-mile Appalachian National Scenic Trail is an iconic destination. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a casual explorer, let Best of the Appalachian Trail: Day Hikes guide you along the way. Summit the iconic Katahdin in Maine, explore Pennsylvania’s Chimney Rocks, splash in Tennessee’s Laurel Fork Gorge and Falls, and find out where Georgia’s Blood Mountain gets its name. Appalachian Trail experts Leonard M. Adkins and Victoria and Frank Logue have carefully selected their top 144 hikes—ranging from less than 1 mile to 11 miles—and present them for you to experience and enjoy.

Trail difficulty ratings and profiles, which include point-by-point descriptions of each hike, help to prepare you for what’s ahead. Trailhead maps and driving directions are provided to get you where you need to go. Plus, fascinating flora, fauna, and history tidbits entertain and educate you along all 144 hikes throughout the 14 states of the AT. Discover the best day hikes in this useful guide to the beloved long trail.