With fourteen states of the Appalachian Trail on the horizon, travelers arrive today into Maine’s Portland International Jetport (PWM). Hotels are in high demand in the Portland area this fall and we are still negotiating. It is likely that we will meet at a hotel that requires a taxi ride from the airport. We plan to have a short meeting this evening at the hotel to meet fellow hikers and go over the adventure game plan.

Maine Appalachian Trail Hike (Rangeley) – 5 or 10 km (3C)

Some of the toughest hiking on the Appalachian Trail is found in Maine, our northeastern most state, but luckily, we are taking on a section that, while challenging, won’t be overly difficult. For all Appalachian Trail hikes, those walking to receive AVA credit for this special program need to log at least 5 km on the trail in each state along the way. Our walk in the Rangeley area features a hike up to oddly-shaped Piazza Rock before descending to our motorcoach for our drive to Wilton and the conclusion of our first day along the amazing Appalachian Trail.

New Hampshire Appalachian Trail Hike (Hanover) – 5 km (2A) or 10 km (4D)

This morning begins with a lengthy drive as we journey from Maine into our second state of the adventure, New Hampshire. Today’s AT Trail activities begin in Hanover, on the western side of New Hampshire in the scenic Upper Connecticut River Valley. While a shorter 5 km walk is available, the 10 km (4D) trail is required to qualify for the Appalachian Trail Special Program. This longer trail includes easier sections through Hanover and on the campus of Dartmouth (established in 1769) before ascending on a significant climb with rough trail surfaces up to Velvet Rocks. Our day concludes in nearby West Lebanon.

Vermont Appalachian Trail Hike (Killington) – 5 km (3B) or 10 km (3C)

Crossing over the Connecticut River this morning, we enter into Vermont, the second least populated state in the union and our third state of the adventure. Our Vermont walk starts with a bang as we gaze in wonder at Thundering Falls, a 140-foot cascade near Kent Pond, before we continue on a long uphill climb through old-growth forest along the Appalachian Trail to Gifford Woods State Park. A shorter and easier option is available for those who prefer to do less climbing. Our day concludes in the town of Killington.

Massachusetts Appalachian Trail Hike (Cheshire) – 5 km or 10 km (4E)

From Vermont, our morning drive takes us south into Massachusetts. Though this is the most populous of the New England states, today’s hike takes us to the small town of Cheshire set in a valley along the Hoosic River. We will definitely earn our lunch today as the Appalachian Trail offers up steep and rugged terrain in this section. We allow plenty of time to account for the higher level in the trail’s physical challenge before continuing our southward journey to the town of Pittsfield.

Connecticut Appalachian Trail Hike (Kent) – 5 km or 10 km (1B)

Today marks our last hike in the New England states as we stroll along the Housatonic River (Mohican word meaning “Land Beyond the Mountains”). The trail follows old farm paths and takes us through a second growth forest of sycamore, maple, and ash trees, on what is the longest level section of the entire Appalachian Trail. This evening we recharge our batteries in the town of Danbury, Connecticut.

New York Appalachian Trail Hike (Bear Mountain/Fort Montgomery) – 5 km (1A) or 10 km (3C)

Our morning begins with a short drive across yet another state border, leading us to New York. History abounds during today’s hike as we explore the Appalachian Trail near Fort Montgomery, New York, scene of a fierce Revolutionary War battle for control of the Hudson River. In the afternoon, we explore West Point, our nation’s oldest military service academy, on a 2-hour bus and walking tour that brings to life over 200 years of traditions as well as stories of its graduates who have helped shape our nation. Our day concludes with a short drive and a relaxing evening in Chester.

New Jersey Appalachian Trail Hike (Delaware Water Gap) – 5 km (1A) or 10 km (3D)

This morning brings us to our seventh state of the adventure, New Jersey. Our activities begin in the forested wonderland of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, where we hike along the Appalachian Trail in the Garden State. A relatively easy 5 km walk and a more challenging 10 km hike will be available here before we drive across one more border into Pennsylvania for a one-night stay in the town of Lehigh Valley.

Gettysburg National Battlefield Walk – 5 km or 10 km (1A)

This morning, we take in the fertile landscape of Pennsylvania on our drive to Gettysburg, the first night on part two of our Appalachian Trail program. While no official Appalachian Trail hikes are planned today, our walk through the town and battlefield of Gettysburg will surely rank among the highlights of our adventure. The Union victory at Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War that came at a high price, being the bloodiest battle of the conflict. This place is also forever linked to Abraham Lincoln’s timeless words in which he honored the fallen who had given the “last full measure of devotion.” This gripping experience is made even more memorable by a guided tour through the battlefield with one of the excellent local guides.

Pennsylvania Appalachian Trail Hike (PA-MD Border) – 5 km (3C)
Maryland Appalachian Trail Hike (Washington Monument State Park) – 5 km (3C)

Bidding farewell to historic Gettysburg, a two-state hiking day awaits us as we begin our activities exploring a Pennsylvania portion of the Appalachian Trail. For all Appalachian Trail hikes, those walking to receive AVA credit for this special program need to log at least 5 km on the trail in each state along the way. Following a lunch in Hagerstown, we spend an afternoon walking the Maryland section of the Appalachian Trail at Washington Monument State Park, where a rugged stone tower was erected in 1827 as the first completed monument dedicated to the memory of George Washington. This evening we settle in at our hotel in the town of Frederick.

West Virginia Appalachian Trail Hike (Harpers Ferry) – 5 km (2B) or 10 km (3D)

Following a short drive, we arrive in West Virginia and spend a morning and early afternoon of hiking and exploring the Appalachian Trail and the charming, old town of Harpers Ferry. This multi-layered hamlet at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers has seen its fair share of history, including the arrival of the first successful American railroad, the apprehension of famed abolitionist John Brown by none other than Robert E. Lee, the largest surrender of Federal troops during the Civil War, and the education of former slaves in one of the earliest integrated schools in the United States. Following an afternoon drive to the south, we spend this evening in the storied town of Charlottesville, Virginia.

This morning we investigate the inestimable impact of Thomas Jefferson at his neoclassical home, Monticello. With a lunch break in Charlottesville, enjoy the chance to see another of Jefferson’s contributions at the University of Virginia Campus. In the afternoon, we launch a lengthy road trip down Interstate-81. Nearly one quarter of the entire length of the Appalachian Trail runs through Virginia! Because we have a lot of ground to cover before arriving in the southwest corner of the commonwealth, no Appalachian Trail hikes are planned today. We check into our hotel in the cute town of Abingdon, home of the famous Barter Theatre, whose famous alumni include Gregory Peck, Ernest Borgnine, and Ned Beatty.

Virginia Appalachian Trail Hike (Damascus) – 5 km (1B)
Tennessee Appalachian Trail Hike (Laurel Falls) – 7.5 km (3C)

Two Appalachian Trail states in one day is our theme yet again! In the morning, we drive a short distance to the fun, little mountain town of Damascus for a rare, relatively flat AT walk through town and along the rails-to-trails Virginia Creeper. In the afternoon, after crossing the border into Tennessee, we savor a lovely forested walk to Laurel Falls, a hidden gem of a cascade, before taking a short drive to the town of Johnson City, home to the University of East Tennessee.

North Carolina Appalachian Trail Hike (Hot Springs) – 5 km (3B) or 10 km (4D)

Before we cross the border into the Tarheel State, we plan to pay a visit to the Tennessee birthplace of legendary frontiersman Davy Crockett along the banks of the Nolichucky River. Today’s late morning and afternoon hike in North Carolina goes right through the center of downtown Hot Springs, designated as an Appalachian Trail Community. Famous for its natural, healing mineral springs, this quaint mountain town offers an easier walk through town or, for those wishing for a longer, more adventurous hike, the chance to soak up wonderful views from Lover’s Leap. We conclude the day in the outstanding mountain town of Asheville.

Georgia Appalachian Trail Hike (Dick’s Creek Gap) – 5 km (3C)

Today, our journey south concludes, as we leave the fun vibe of Asheville for the quieter, more rustic confines of Georgia’s northern mountainous region. Today’s out-and-back hike at Dick Creek’s Gap involves significant elevation gain, but we have enough time in the day to cover at least 5 km before continuing our afternoon journey to the thriving Southern city of Atlanta, Georgia. Here, we can celebrate the end of an epic Appalachian Adventure together, sharing recollections of our favorite moments together.

With all fourteen states of the Appalachian Trail logged in our walk books and memory banks, we say farewell today and make our way to Atlanta’s Hartfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) for our respective journeys home.

To register, a non-refundable $200 deposit is required to hold your spot. A final payment is due 60 days before departure and is non-refundable once paid. You will receive a prompt email from us a week or two in advance.

Soon after registration, an “Adventure Advice” email will be sent with critical information on flight arrangements as well as important steps to take in the months before your trip. Please do not buy your airline tickets until you review this Adventure Advice email.

Please follow this link to read our full General Tour Conditions.

We are thrilled to offer a new adventure (2021 was the inaugural Appalachian Trail tour) dedicated to exploring portions of the famous 2200 mile-long Appalachian Trail (A.T.) in all 14 states through which it passes. This tour is especially well suited for those who are seeking to complete their Appalachian Trail Special Program through the American Volkssport Association, but in truth anyone who loves to hike amidst the challenging and picturesque terrain of the A.T. will find this tour to be a diverse and delightful experience.

While portions of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) are gentle with even footing, the vast majority of the trail traverses mountainous and rolling terrain with plenty of uneven footing. This is a hiking adventure more than just a walking adventure, so good sturdy footwear, walking sticks, and a healthy dose of stamina and conditioning will be helpful companions on this journey. While our primary focus will be hiking the A.T. in each state, there will be other rewarding stops along the way, including a guided tour of West Point Military Academy, a visit and memorable guided tour of  Gettysburg National Battlefield, and a visit to Monticello (Thomas Jefferson’s home).

What’s a Volkssport Tour? WAI offers walking adventures all over the planet. Most of the walks featured on our Classic Curated tours are developed by WAI tour planners in cooperation with local walking guides. These Classic Curated itineraries are the result of extensive on-site planning by WAI staff. A Volkssport Tour, on the other hand, streamlines this process, focusing more on walks and less on sightseeing. The objective is to offer more walking, more volkssport stamps, and keep the price lower.

There are three main differences:

• All walks are club walks, offered by local clubs and not planned by WAI staff. Usually they are Year-Round Events (YREs)—self-guided walks using club-provided maps and directions.
• Extensive work is done by in-office WAI planners with no on-site planning.
• Traveler Rewards or Discounts are not available.

Walks on this tour vary greatly in difficulty level, ranging from 1A (easy) to 4E (very challenging), with most walks falling into the moderately challenging 3C range.

• In several cases, you will be able to choose between an easier and a harder option.
• On some days, we will not have time to do a full 10 km at one walk site due to the need to drive to our next location, or because of multiple walks in one day, but we will offer at least a 5 km walk in each state that will qualify those participating in the AVA Appalachian Trail Special Program.
• In many cases, it will be possible for you to use walk maps and instructions provided by the local clubs and do the walk on your own if you’d like. Your WAI guide will always be available if you prefer to walk with a group. In some cases, safety or timing considerations may indicate that walks be managed by the WAI guide as guided walks.
• Walk stamps may be available along the way for those that wish to receive them; in some cases, we may be using the Online Start Box (OSB) to register and receive AVA credit for walks.

We generally walk at a pace of 2 to 3 miles per hour. Walks that are oriented more towards education may take longer due to stops for guide commentary. Nature walks, on the other hand, generally continue at a steadier pace because we’re stopping less to talk.In most cases, we are not “strolling.” We are walking at a relaxed but steady pace. Your experience will be significantly affected by your level of physical fitness. If not walking regularly at home, we strongly recommend that you make a priority of “training” beforehand to both enjoy the trip and avoid medical issues due to overexertion. If you have questions about your ability to participate, please contact our office at [email protected].We have adopted a walk difficulty rating system which contains a numeric indicator for trail incline and an alpha indicator for trail terrain. The explanation for this system is presented on the table below:

INCLINE

1. Minimal hills or stair climbing. Cumulative elevation gain: <200 feet.
2. Some moderate hills and stair climbing. Cumulative elevation gain: 200-1000 feet.
3. Some significant hill or stair climbing. Cumulative elevation gain: 1000-2000 feet.
4. Lots of significant hills or stair climbing. Cumulative elevation gain from Starting Point: 2000-3500 feet.

TERRAIN

A. Almost entirely on pavement.
B. A significant part of the route is on well-groomed trails with very few obstacles.
C. A significant part of the route is on somewhat difficult terrain (rocky / rooted paths or soft sand).
D. A significant part of the route is on very difficult terrain.

Good quality, tourist-class accommodations are the standard for our Adventure. Most accommodations on this tour are selected primarily as a practical base from which to pursue our itinerary. Many, but not all, of our accommodations on this adventure are single-floor or have elevators. Travelers should be able to carry their luggage up a number of steps to get to a second-floor room if necessary.

The official start point for Hiking the Appalachian Trail is Portland, ME (airport code PWM). The finish point is Atlanta, Georgia (airport code ATL). The starting hotel has yet to be determined. A taxi ride may be necessary from the airport. The finishing hotel of the tour offers a complimentary shuttle to and from the airport.

We recommend that you contact Laura Pfahler, the travel agent we work with, to help book your flight arrangements. In this age of airfare complications and airport uncertainty, using a travel agent is a good investment! More details about flight arrangements and travel agent contact information will be provided in an Adventure Advice PDF by email after you register for the Adventure.  Please do not book your airfare prior to receiving these flight details from us!

WAI believes strongly in the importance of travel insurance for financial and medical protection from any number of unforeseen circumstances that can arise before departure or during your Adventure. This is now especially true in the era of COVID-19, which is typically treated like any other illness for travel insurance purposes. Many travel insurance providers are available for you to consider. Laura Pfahler and Sharon Mitchell of World Travel Inc. are travel agents who provide air travel and insurance services to many WAI travelers.

• Laura Pfahler: 503.434.6401 or [email protected]
• Sharon Mitchell: 971.261.2091 or [email protected]

Check out Insurance Tips from World Travel for a short introduction to travel insurance. (NOTE: WAI receives no commission or financial remuneration from World Travel Inc.).

As always, do some shopping to ensure you are getting the best value. Using the SquareMouth.com website can be a good way to compare pricing.

Other options include:

• Allianz
• Betins
• Travel Guard
• Travel Insured International

NOTE: We suggest purchasing from a reputable, well-established insurance company (avoid buying insurance from an unknown company found only online). Travelers interested in purchasing “cancel for any reason” insurance coverage should be careful to check pricing and terms BEFORE they register for a tour. Recent changes in the international travel landscape has caused changes in the policies of some insurance companies, and made the purchase of this particular type of policy even more time-sensitive.

Walking Adventures International reserves the right to cancel this tour departure with fewer than 12 participants, in which case registered participants will receive a 100% refund of payments received. This refund policy contains one exclusion related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Many suppliers require non-refundable deposits as a condition of booking services. Unforeseen circumstances linked to the virus can force us to cancel a tour.

Due to these supplier’s non-refundable policies, WAI intends to retrieve as much of these deposits as possible, but cannot guarantee a 100% refund. In cases where full refunds cannot be obtained for a cancelled tour, we will do our best to transfer unrefunded money as traveler credits to be applied to a future tour to that destination.

View our full Coronavirus FAQ for more details.

Walking Adventures International official policy is to endeavor to mirror any COVID-19 policies in place in the destinations through which we travel.

We are not aware of any COVID-19 policies or restrictions that will impact this tour in the Appalachian Mountains.

Requirements and restrictions have been fluid. WAI will update travelers upon learning of any changes.

Travelers participating in the Hiking the Appalachian Trail tour must agree to abide by policies in place at the time of travel.

Upon registering for this Adventure, you will receive a welcome email and initial invoice notifying you of your tour balance and due date. All payments for the tour or optional services/excursions can now be made online.

Soon after registration, an “Adventure Advice” email will be sent with critical information on flight arrangements as well as important steps to take in the months before your trip. Please do not buy your airline tickets until you review this Adventure Advice email.

About 8 weeks before departure, you will receive a final statement reminder about the final tour payment, which is due 6 weeks before departure. Please see our General Tour Conditions for the full terms and conditions for participation in this Adventure.

Around 2-3 weeks before departure, you will receive a final email packet with details of the program, including hotel names and contact information, a list of fellow travelers, and a more detailed daily schedule.

Take a few minutes to peruse the enclosed itinerary. We think you will agree that walking is still and always the best way to experience our world. Join us for this popular, new Walking Adventure program Hiking the Appalachian Trail!