Appalachian Trail Maps by State 2026

Maine

The Appalachian Trail is the most recognizable footpath in the United States and the world. It covers more than 2000 miles and spans 14 states. It begins and ends in Georgia and Maine. As such, Maine has two of the most difficult mile markers on the trail. For those who are heading north, hitting the state of Maine can be considered extremely significant in southern Maine. This section effectively slows hikers down to a crawl, due to the steep nature of the eroded section of their trails. They must clamber up and shove their backpacks around the rocks and boulders through Mahoosuc Notch.

The summit of Mt. Katahdin is one of the terminal mile markers of the Appalachian Trail, which is the finishing point for hikers that have been heading northbound the entire time. Due to being at the summit of a mountain, it is considered the longest climb of the entire trail and can be extremely difficult to finish once you have already been winded. Hikers must use their arms primarily to haul themselves over gaps and rocky formations, holding onto whatever they can find. There is a lack of tree roots, so rungs are drilled into the environment to make for quick stabilizers.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire contains many beautiful points for hikers to enjoy, but none is as difficult to traverse as the White Mountains. The trail is extremely narrow and becomes marked with previous rock slides that may have shifted the contents of the trail, path, or environment. Hikers must descend this section, and are often slippery. It is difficult to gain purchase on such an exposed trail. The climb down is long, and hikers that enjoy the view offered by the White Mountains vantage point may be disappointed that their elevation has steadily decreased. Nevertheless, the descent is one of the most beautiful points of the trial due to the view.

Virginia

Virginia has one of the shortest sections on the trail but is extremely beautiful and dangerous due to this very nature. It is nicknamed “The Roller” coaster and spans over 13 miles. It is akin to a roller coaster, as there are 10 different sections where you must climb, and another 10 that you must descend. Each section is a few hundred feet each and is relentlessly steep. Hikers hate this section as their quads are on fire afterward, and often warrant a break.

Pennsylvania

Once hikers and adventurers have made their way to northern Pennsylvania, they arrive at a huge surprise. What seems like a low-elevation easy section couldn’t be farther from the truth. The area is flat, which gives explorers a sense of confidence, but they quickly find that they cannot gain purchase for the life of them. This section contains the pointiest, rockiest ground on the trail, meaning injury can be likely, especially for fear of rolling an ankle, puncturing a sole, or even brushing your feet. The section in northern Pennsylvania is less of a “trail” and more of a rocky expanse.