The east coast takes great pride in being home to one of the world’s most famous trails, The Appalachian Trail. This extensive route, constructed in 1968. stretches from northern Georgia all the way to Maine. Being the longest man-made trail in America, the Appalachian trial is 2,178 miles long, crossing through 14 states, 6 national parks and 8 national forests. The amount of diverse species of animal and plant wildlife over the course of the trail cannot be explained unless you take the journey yourself. The trail is conserved each year by countless volunteers who maintain its structure.
The Great Smoky Mountains are the home for the Appalachian Trial’s highest peak, Clingman’s Dome, rising 6,625 feet. Tennessee holds about 70 miles of the Appalachian Trail’s full extent. Possibly the most difficult part of the trail is within The Smoky Mountains due to the high elevations posing threat of snow, rainfall and extreme cold temperatures, especially in the winter. If you are planning on hiking the AT and staying overnight in the shelters located along the trail, you must obtain a permit to do so. The best time to go on a hike in the Smoky Mountains along the AT is from late May through October.
Strap on your boots and get to hiking, but first map out your trip at http://www.appalachiantrial.org/ .
