Appalachian Trail

I took this photo in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, an important landmark along the Appalachian Trail. This sign marks a pathway that stretches nearly 2,200 miles from Mount Katahdin in Maine to Springer Mountain in Georgia, making it one of the longest and most famous hiking trails in the world.  

The Appalachian Trail was conceived by forester Benton MacKaye in 1921 as a footpath connecting wilderness areas and providing people with opportunities to experience nature and escape the pressures of modern life. Completed in 1937 through the efforts of thousands of volunteers, the trail passes through fourteen states and crosses some of the most scenic landscapes in the eastern United States.

Harpers Ferry occupies a special place in Appalachian Trail history. Although not the exact midpoint geographically, it is considered the psychological halfway point for many hikers. The headquarters of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy is located here, and hikers stop in Harpers Ferry to register their journeys.

The trail is managed through a partnership involving the National Park Service, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and numerous state agencies and volunteers. In 1968, Congress passed the National Trails System Act which designated the Appalachian Trail as one of the nation’s first National Scenic Trails.

For many visitors, the Appalachian Trail is a place for a short walk in the woods. For others, it becomes a months-long journey across the eastern United States. It stands as one of America’s greatest outdoor treasures and one of the most unique units within the National Park System.