Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
The Appalachian Trail Corridor is one of the most renowned and longest footpaths in the world, extending over 2,190 miles across 14 states on the eastern coast of the United States. From Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine, the trail offers hikers a chance to traverse varied terrains, including dense forests, serene farmland, and rugged mountainous regions. The trail is managed by the National Park Service in collaboration with other forest service agencies, and it passes through six national parks, eight national forests, and numerous state parks and game lands. Known for its ecological diversity, the corridor is home to a wide array of flora and fauna, including rare plant species and endemic wildlife. The trail's history dates back to the original idea presented by Benton MacKaye in the 1920s, with the full trail completed in 1937. Today, it is an outdoor recreational favorite for hiking enthusiasts from around the world, offering experiences from day hikes to the challenge of thru-hiking the entire trail, which takes several months to complete.
