This is a new venture for ITMB, although we have published several recreational hiking maps over the years. The Appalachian mountain range was the original western boundary of the American colonies while under British rule. Everything west of there was technically the French possession of Louisiana Territory, called by American settlers ‘Indian country’. Nowadays, it is a massive recreational hinterland for east coast residents wanting to escape overcrowded cities. The National Parks Service maintains the trail and a series of overnight huts.
Most people only hike a portion of the trail, but for the dedicated hiker, the trail is a great adventure. We have divided the length of the trail into four natural regions: Maine into New York State, Connecticut south to Maryland, Maryland to Virginia, and Virginia to Georgia, to its traditional end at Springer Mountain. This is a demanding trail hike, but one of the most popular in the world.