Travel to the Appalachian Mountains and Experience the Hike of Your Life

The Appalachian Mountains are a truly one of God's wonders. The Appalachian mountains span over 14 states from Georgia to Maine for a total of 2,175 miles of hiking. This is the largest marked footpath in America and was the first national scenic trail system. The Appalachian mountains foot trail was completed in 1937 and in 1968 it was designated a national scenic trail. This trail system attracts people from all walks of life, from all over the world

It is reported that over 10,000 individuals have hiked the entire length of the Appalachian trail which is approximately five to six million foot steps. The lowest elevation 124 feet is on the trail at Bear Mountain, New York with the highest elevation 6,620 feet at Clingmans Dome, Tennessee. It takes over 6,000 volunteers and roughly 250,000 hours a year to keep this place as pristine as the day it was completed.

I would suggest to everyone to at least see a part of the Appalachians and you might even have part of the trail running through your state. These majestic mountains makes for a great couples getaway for some much needed solitude or for a family that wants to get a little closer and bound together, the Appalachians has everything you need. If you do not feel like roughing it, that is ok because all along the trail there are lodges, clubs, huts and hostels. These shelters are spread out in one day hikes from shelter to shelter, so if you want something less rustic its only a days hike away. No matter where on the trail you are traveling, you will have access to shelters as well as Inns, B&Bs, motels and even hostels (inexpensive bunkhouses). Camp sites are spread out all along the trail as well, there are a few states like Virginia were "dispersed camping" is allowed; dispersed means that you may choose wherever you want to camp, but it comes with great responsibility. You must only leave footprints behind.

There is no need to pack like you normally would for a weeks camping trip. On the Appalachian trail you should only carry enough food for a couple of days a week at the most, you will be able to re-supply at on of the near by towns you will pass along your trip. The best kind of food to take is dried fruits, trail mix, pasta, beef jerky, water and dehydrated foods can supply you with all the nutrients you will need to stay fit for the rest of your trip.

Remember any time that you are back country hiking and camping, leave your itinerary with the local rangers station in case there should be any problems and you do not make your destination point to check in they would have the correct information to send in a rescue team to your location. So pack your backpack, grab your loved one and experience the vacation of a life time; one that is cheap too! If you hike and tent camp there is no charge, so you pay for food and gas to get there. If you prefer to stay in a hostel, they are $20.00 per night person. If you are looking for more private accommodations the prices start to go up depending on what type of place you are looking for. Some of the rooms can cost up to $109.00 per night for two. Come travel to the Appalachian mountains and find your spirit and open yourself to the wild.

References for this article came from www.appalachiantrail.com and www.nps.gov, also I have hiked a portion of this trail, a lot of the information if from my own experience.