"The Appalachian Trail stretches more than 2,100 miles through 14 states from Maine's mighty Katahdin to Georgia's forested Springer Mountain. Along its route, the A.T. crosses eight national
forests,
six units of the national park system, about 60 state park or game lands,
and scores of small mountain and valley communities. Nearly two-thirds
of the U.S. population lives within a day's drive of this continuously
marked footpath." (from
ATC page)
I've hiked several big chunks of this grand
footpath, including all of Vermont, most of New Hampshire, and a good part
of Maine. Someday I hope to do the whole thing in one long summer. Many
of the 
long-distance
thru-hikers call it the Green Tunnel, and it must be quite beautiful! I've
met dozens of long-distance hikers, and I always try to turn them on to
cold brews, homemade snacks, and other goodies! You can often time
where and when the groups are coming through, and if ya can get up to Baxter
State Park in the fall, you are sure to meet some very cool folks near
the end of a long and special journey.
The Appalachian National Scenic Trail (official page)
Kathy Bilton's A T page (very nice!)
The Official Maine Appalachian Trail Club Homepage
Links to dozens of trail maintainers (Hiking Clubs)
My LONG TRAIL (AT in Vermont) Page
MY PHOTOS of the Northern Terminus at Baxter State Park
There has been talk of extending the trail south to the farthest reaches of Florida, and North into Canada. There are many other long-distance foottrails in America, including the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail. There are dozens more that currently exist, or in the planning stages. In addition, the Rails-to-Trails program is actively converting many of the nation's abandoned railroad lines into multi-use paths. Happy trails!
