It all began as a dream. On August 14, 1937, that dream became a reality, marked by hard work and over 2,000 miles of connected trails. The Appalachian Trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine, was officially completed. What started as a bold idea to link scenic and wild areas of the eastern United States evolved into one of the greatest long-distance hiking trails in the world.

Here’s How it Happened

• The Vision: Benton MacKaye, a forester and planner, first proposed the trail in 1921. He saw it not just as a hiking path, but as a way to reconnect people with nature in a rapidly industrializing America. He imagined “a retreat from mechanization.”
• The Work: It wasn’t built by a government agency. Volunteers made it happen. Trail clubs, Boy Scouts, Civilian Conservation Corps workers, and everyday nature lovers carved out sections. They laid paths, blazed trails, and built shelters—mile by mile, year by year.
• The Final Link: On August 14, 1937, the last section connected in Carrabassett Valley, Maine. The trail now stretched continuously across 14 states, from Springer Mountain, Georgia, to Mount Katahdin, Maine.

Completing the trail didn’t mean the work was finished; it had only just begun. The trail faced challenges such as floods, landslides, overgrowth, and urban sprawl. Some sections vanished entirely, while others required rerouting. However, the Appalachian Trail Conference—now known as the Appalachian Trail Conservancy—remained steadfast. They rebuilt, protected, and preserved the trail.

Today, the trail spans roughly 2,198 miles. It passes through forests, over ridgelines, along rivers, and across mountain balds. More than 3 million people hike a portion of it each year. Thousands attempt to walk the entire length—what’s called a “thru-hike.” Only about one in four finish.

The trail has its own language. Hikers adopt “trail names.” They sleep in lean-tos or under tarps. They talk about “zero days” (rest days), “trail angels” (strangers who offer help), and “trail magic” (unexpected kindness).

What makes the Appalachian Trail special isn’t just the distance. It’s the spirit.

• People, not corporations, built it.
• Volunteers, not machines, maintain it.
• It thrives on simplicity, not spectacle.

In a world driven by speed, the Appalachian Trail serves as a poignant reminder to slow down and appreciate the journey. To walk. To breathe. To notice.