AT (Appalachian Trail)
Overview
“AT” is the widely used abbreviation for the Appalachian Trail, a long-distance footpath in the eastern United States that runs between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine.
Key points
- Often cited as one of the major long-distance hiking routes in North America.
- Managed and maintained through a combination of official agencies and volunteer organizations.
- The abbreviation appears frequently in planning resources, trip reports, and community discussions.
Details
The Appalachian Trail, commonly shortened to "AT" in hiking contexts, is a well-known long-distance trail extending across multiple U.S. states along the Appalachian mountain chain. It has a long history of section hiking and thru-hiking, and it features a system of shelters, campsites, and connecting side trails. The abbreviation is used in guidebooks, maps, and community conversations as shorthand for both the trail itself and the broader culture around it. While the AT has its own specific regulations, infrastructure, and traditions, the abbreviation simply names the route and does not imply any particular style or pace of hiking.
Related topics
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Illustrative hiking footage
The following external videos offer general visual context for typical hiking environments. They are not official route recommendations, safety instructions, or planning tools.