White Blaze (AT Marker)
Overview
A white blaze is the primary trail marker used to designate the Appalachian Trail (AT). These painted rectangles appear on trees, rocks, and posts and guide hikers along the route.
Key points
- Standardized white rectangular markings.
- Indicate direction, alignment, and route changes.
- Placed frequently along wooded sections.
- Used exclusively for the Appalachian Trail.
- Provide reassurance in low-visibility conditions.
Details
White blazes serve as visual guides, helping AT hikers follow the correct path through forests, ridgelines, and mixed-use areas. Double blazes may signal upcoming turns, junctions, or cautionary changes in direction.
These markers are maintained by volunteer trail clubs and organizations that oversee specific AT sections.
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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.