3 Fascinating Things to Know About Hiking the Appalachian Trail
The iconic Appalachian Trail in the Smoky Mountains crosses Interstate 40 just a few miles from our Smoky Mountain campground! This hiking trail runs for 2,180 miles from Maine to Georgia, with 94 of those miles in Tennessee, and travels an additional 160 miles along the border of Tennessee and North Carolina. While you might not want to hike the entire distance, it can be fun to experience a part of the longest hiking trail in the world! Here are 3 fascinating things to know about hiking the Appalachian Trail:
1. It’s the Longest Hiking-Only Footpath in the World
The Appalachian Trail, or the AT for short, is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world, traveling through 14 states with an elevation change of 464,500 feet along the journey! The trail runs from Springer Mountain in northern Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine, which is the tallest mountain in the state. While some consider hiking the AT a “bucket list” activity, others enjoy experiencing the day hikes along the trail! A couple of the most popular hikes that include a portion of the Smoky Mountains Appalachian Trail include the Mt. Cammerer Fire Tower and Charlies Bunion. Both are longer hikes and moderately challenging, but well worth the effort for the spectacular panoramic views from the mountaintop!
2. The AT is Managed by Multiple Entities
The trail is managed through a unique “cooperative management system” that involves the National Park Service, the United States Forest Service, numerous other federal and state agencies, the non-profit Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and 31 volunteer-based trail-maintaining clubs. Since the Appalachian Trail is the longest single unit of the National Park System and has more than 3 million visitors each year, it is essential for hikers to help keep the experience enjoyable for others by leaving no trace behind.
Read more about the Leave No Trace Policy at Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
3. Tennessee Features the Highest Point of the Appalachian Trail
Another interesting thing to know about hiking the Appalachian Trail is that Tennessee features the highest mountains along the trail, including several that are more than 6,000 feet tall! The highest point of the Appalachian Trail is Kuwohi, formerly known as Clingmans Dome, which also happens to be the highest mountain in Tennessee and the third highest mountain east of the Mississippi! On clear days, views can expand over 100 miles from the top of this 6,643-foot-tall summit!
Accessing the Appalachian Trail from Our Campground
You can experience hiking the Appalachian Trail near our Smoky Mountain campground simply by heading east on Interstate 40 for 5 miles and taking exit 451. Take the first right off the exit and cross the Pigeon River on Tobes Creek Road, then you’ll see a pull-off on the right where there is parking available for several cars. From there, the trail heads right up the hill via some stone steps. After a day of hiking, you can look forward to returning to our campground for a relaxing evening under the stars. We also have many campground amenities for you to enjoy, including a swimming pool, recreational equipment, a convenient general store, and much more!
Now you know a few Appalachian Trail facts! Want to learn more about other incredible hiking trails? Check out these Smoky Mountain waterfalls you’ve got to see for yourself!
