HISTORY OF THE TRAIL

The Appalachian Trail extends approximately 2,175 miles across 14 states from Georgia to Maine. Conceived in 1921 and first completed in 1937, it traverses the wild, scenic, wooded, pastoral, and culturally significant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. The Trail’s history can be described in three eras. The era of Trail-building was focused on volunteers clearing the Trail and was completed in 1937. The era of Trail protection began with promotion of an Appalachian Trailway through national parks and forests, extending one mile on each side of the Trail. This era lasted until 1968, the year in which Congress designated the Appalachian Trail the Country’s first national scenic trail. The era of management and promotion continues today. During this era, the number of hikers increased greatly, and land along the trail was publicly acquired to guarantee its preservation. Advocates have worked to protect not only an open space buffer along the trail, but also to implement the Appalachian Trail “greenway” which includes a scenic viewshed visible from the high points along the trail.