Above all, they walk the ridgelines, not for glory or gain, but simply for the love of the trail. Contrary to the name, Ridgerunners take a much slower approach than your average backpacker. They hone into every detail from nuances to needs. While they aren’t Park Rangers, Ridgerunners play a significant role in protecting one of North America’s most iconic footpaths: The Appalachian Trail.
Approximately 2,200 miles, it is a foot-traffic-only mountain pathway spanning 14 states from Maine to Georgia. It is maintained by 30 volunteer clubs, the National Park Service (NPS), the United States Forest Service (USFS), and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) as a part of the cooperative management system.
A vital resource decades in the making.
The ATC first created the Ridgerunner program in 1986, identifying specific high-use areas that were prone to damage—primarily human impact. So to speak, we were loving the land to death. To date, there are Ridgerunners in 12 states, all equipped with regional knowledge from water source conditions to the finer points of privy etiquette.
With every mile they embody wise-stewardship, offering hikers information about the trail and gear selections, assisting with first-aid, and providing a friendly reminder of Leave No Trace (LNT) principles. From greeting hikers at campgrounds to checking overgrown vegetation, they act as a communicative bridge between the land and the land managers; eyes scanning the tread, ears tuned to the voices of hikers, and hearts committed to the trail’s enduring spirit.
(The values of a Ridgerunner go far beyond representing a badge and uniform.)
“Do you live out here?”
This simple question offers conversation far beyond that of the Trail. For Ridgerunners, it’s a reminder of the profound connection they share with the land. Living on the trail for extended periods, they blend into the daily rhythm of the backcountry performing light maintenance and demonstrating the values of sustainable recreation.
At the trails southern terminus, Kara “The Beast”, a former AT thru-hiker, greets everyone she sees, offering her sagely advice. The trail took her to some of the most beautiful and challenging parts of the trail over her two seasons in both Shenandoah National Park and Amicalola Falls State Park.
“Shenandoah was amazingly beautiful. The mileage could be relatively high each day but I loved it! I felt like a thru hiker and was able to influence as part of the community.”
Her second season, in Georgia, wasn’t any easier, but each day brought new surprises that kept her engaged and committed to the trail.
“I was expecting cold but not *that* cold. We had one day that didn’t get out of single digits temperature-wise. But it was rewarding being there when hikers started their journeys, encouraging proper LNT habits right from the get-go.”
A Day in the Life.
Ridgerunners are experts in hiking, backcountry knowledge, and environmental stewardship. Assigned to high-traffic sections, they hike daily, clean campsites, and engage with hikers, all while keeping an eye on factors that could impact future sustainability.
“Sometimes I feel like my impact is like a tiny drop in a big bucket – ‘am I actually making an impact out here?’ But then I realize, that little drop can have huge ripple effects. Ideally, the people we impact today will go on to have their own impact tomorrow.
For Ridgerunners, preparation is paramount. It isn’t as simple as lacing up your boots and hitting the trail. Before the season begins, annual training is held, provided by ATC staff and partner organizations. The curriculum blends Leave No Trace, Wilderness First Aid, and critical response scenarios. Practical skills like visitor engagement, campsite assessment, and authority of the resource are highlighted.
(Ridgerunners running through a Wilderness First Aid scenario during pre-season training.)
“Ridgerunners can have a huge impact on setting the culture for the hiking community and helping hikers to understand the responsibility we bear while enjoying nature.”
—Kara “The Beast”
Most days begin after the last hiker leaves the campground. Ridgerunners pack up overlooked micro-trash and clean privies before hitting the trail. Once they begin walking their assigned stretch—anywhere from 5 to 15 miles a day,—they begin scanning the trail. Looking for fallen trees across the tread, vegetation overgrowth, and other various factors like unleashed dogs, non-compliant fire rings, or distressed hikers. Additionally, they are always demonstrating LNT and offering friendly conversation.
(2024 Mid-Atlantic Ridgerunners honor the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps.)
Each interaction is a window of opportunity.
According to John “Lil John“, another AT thru-hiker and 2-time Ridgerunner in northern Pennsylvania, being a ridgerunner is much more than just hiking and keeping the trail clear.
“It didn’t take long for my perspective to change. I didn’t realize how much interacting with hikers was a part of the job, finding myself constantly helping hikers with first aid needs; mostly dealing with foot issues that could become cellulitis if not given time to heal.”
John’s dedication to the trail’s culture has kept him invested in the community over the years. Working in PA is no easy task as he assists hikers enduring the Mid-Atlantic’s Summer heat while traversing the infamous “Rocksylvania“.
“I remembered my section from my thru-hike in ’22, so I was prepared for the rocks. What I didn’t expect was just how amazing the trail community in northeast PA was. I knew about trail angels in the area, but I had no clue how tight knit and supportive they were. Not only for hikers, but for the RRs… I didn’t expect for the community to start to feel like family. Coming back for a second season felt like a homecoming of sorts.“
Even though he “broke his toe on his last day of the season” in 2024, he continues to have daily high-points helping hikers, soaking in sunsets, and spotting wildlife on snack breaks.
“Being a RR means that I’m able to give back to a trail that I love. It also means being a resource for hikers.” —John “Lil John”
“My section is pretty rocky, so I enjoy being able to talk with people and help them find campsites and water. I think the biggest role that RR’s play in the sustainability of the AT is through cleaning up the trail, imparting LNT knowledge and being an example for other hikers.”
A simple gesture to camp 200 feet from a body of water or teaching proper food storage can ripple far beyond a conversation. Mitigating impacts from campfires, protecting fragile vegetation, and managing campsite sprawl are mandatory to keep the lands wild and natural—a monumental part of the A.T. experience.
Why do we need Ridgerunners?
Along the A.T., Ridgerunners are a multi-faceted resource generally overseeing unmonitored stretches. Being the embodiment of LNT, they mitigate damage to natural areas while simultaneously curating an inclusive environment for hikers of all cultures.
Working face-to-face with hikers offers a service that information kiosks and guidebooks simply cannot. Whether they’re in the middle of cutting a blowdown, or checking the conditions of a water source, every conversation with a hiker gives Ridgerunners a one-on-one opportunity to teach about environmental conservation.
In addition to their stewardship, Ridgerunners assist Park Rangers, Search and Rescue teams, and volunteer trail clubs consistently throughout the season. In 2025, fewer federal boots in National Parks and Forests means these seasonal stewards will likely fill critical gaps in trail oversight, education, and upkeep.
(Maryland Ridgerunner Tyler “PrePack” stands proudly on Annapolis Rock.)
“I like to think of the Ridgerunner as a multipurpose tool for the trail and the community.” — John “Lil John”
Whether or not you realize it, if you’ve ever set foot on the A.T., you’ve experienced the work of a Ridgerunner. Stepping around a trimmed raspberry bush, resting at a clean shelter, or receiving a friendly reminder to properly store your food at night are all part of their legacy.
Serving as the eyes, ears, and heart of the trail, a Ridgerunner’s work ensures it remains sustainable. Their abilities go beyond just maintaining the path; they educate, protect, and foster a deeper connection between hikers and the natural world. As the A.T. attracts millions of visitors each year, their efforts are key to preserving it for generations to come. Their dedication to the A.T. is showcased in every mile that remains walkable, welcoming, and wild.
*Interested applicants should consider the Appalachian Trail Conservancy website for future seasonal career opportunities.
https://appalachiantrail.org/careers/
(As the Michaux RR in 2024, I attempted the iconic “Half-Gallon Ice Cream Challenge” at the Pine Grove General Store as an end-of-season tradition.)
Good hiking,
Bones
ME->VA, Sobo ’24
A.T. Ridgerunner x3
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Comments 1
Bones. Thank you so much for pulling the story together. In many ways the Ridgerunners become ‘the glue’ in our cooperative management of the AT during the hiking season in particular. But without truly exceptional people putting on the uniform it wouldn’t work the way it does