Thru-Hiking Culture
Congratulations to These 2026 Appalachian Trail Finishers (Part 5)
Every year, thousands of hopeful thru-hikers set off on a journey of nearly 2,200 miles. The Appalachian Trail stretches from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. Hikers
Is the Appalachian Trail Too Crowded? Here’s What Hikers Actually Report
Much is made of how crowded the Appalachian Trail supposedly is. Stories on the internet sometimes make it sound like you’ll never have a moment’s peace on this trail, let...
Congratulations to These 2026 Appalachian Trail Finishers (Part 4)
Every year, thousands of hopeful thru-hikers set off on a journey of nearly 2,200 miles. The Appalachian Trail stretches from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. Hikers
Congratulations to These 2026 Appalachian Trail Finishers (Part 3)
Every year, thousands of hopeful thru-hikers set off on a journey of nearly 2,200 miles. The Appalachian Trail stretches from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. Hikers
The 2026 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker Survey Is Here!
If you or someone you know attempted an Appalachian Trail thru-hike this year, you’ve landed on the right post! Each year, we poll the current class of AT hikers to...
Congratulations to These 2026 Appalachian Trail Finishers (Part 2)
Every year, thousands of hopeful thru-hikers set off on a journey of nearly 2,200 miles. The Appalachian Trail stretches from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. Hikers
Congratulations to These 2026 Appalachian Trail Finishers (Part 1)
Every year, thousands of hopeful thru-hikers set off on a journey of nearly 2,200 miles. The Appalachian Trail stretches from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. Hikers
2026 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers: Submit Your Completion Photos
It's summit season on the AT, and that means that we at The Trek are standing by to CONGRATULATE YOU. Yes, you. Seriously, send us pictures. We are determined to...
Life After the AT: Nothing Fully Prepares You for Transitioning Home After a Thru-Hike
This is a guest post by Scott "Flyer" Hall. Full bio at the end. It was a brisk morning in Maine, six miles from the Mahoosuc Arm summit. Exhausted after...
Every Freshman at This High School Has To Hike 55 Miles on the Appalachian Trail
A Catholic prep school in New Jersey has an unusual program for its freshman class: a mandatory 5-day, 55-mile backpacking trip from High Point State Park in New Jersey to...
