Plan and Prepare

Alternate Trails

The Appalachian Trail affords a unique and memorable experience. But, if it’s solitude you’re seeking or only have a couple of days to hike, consider the following trails as alternates to the Appalachian Trail.


StateTrailLinkLength
(miles)
FloridaFlorida Trail*The Florida Trail Association1000
AlabamaAlabama Pinhoti Trail*Alabama Pinhoti Trail Alliance171
GeorgiaGeorgia Pinhoti Trail*Georgia Pinhoti Trail Association160
South CarolinaPalmetto Trail*Palmetto Conservation500
South Carolina/North CarolinaFoothills TrailFoothills Trail Conservancy
77
Georgia, Tennessee, North CarolinaBenton MacKaye Trail*Benton MacKaye Trail Association288
Georgia/North CarolinaBartram TrailBartram Trail Society115
North CarolinaMountains to the Sea TrailFriends of the Mountains to the Sea Trail1175
TennesseeCumberland TrailCumberland Trails Conference210 currently
West VirginiaAllegheny TrailWV Scenic Trails Association288
Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, PennsylvaniaTuscarora Trail*Potomac Appalachian Trail Club250
OhioBuckeye TrailBuckeye Trail Association1444
PennsylvaniaMaxon-Dixon TrailMason Dixon Trail199
PennsylvaniaMid-State TrailMid State Trail Association330
PennsylvaniaStanding Stone TrailThe Standing Stone Trail84
PennsylvaniaHorse-Shoe TrailHorse-Shoe Trail140
PennsylvaniaThe Baker TrailThe Baker Trail134
PennsylvaniaConestoga TrailConestoga Trail63
New JerseyBatona TrailBatona Trail50
New YorkTaconic Crest TrailTaconic Hiking Club 37
New YorkFinger Lakes TrailFinger Lake Trail AssociationLength varies
New YorkLong Path New York-New Jersey Trail Conference
358 miles
New YorkNorthville Placid TrailNorthville-Lake Placid Chapter of
ADK
133
New Jersey, New YorkThe Highlands TrailNew York-New Jersey Trail Conference
100+ miles
New York, Connecticut, MassachusettsNew England Scenic TrailNew England Scenic Trail215
New HampshireMonadnock-Sunapee GreenwayMonadnock-Sunapee Greenway50
New HampshireCohos TrailCohos Trail
162

*Recommended for “spring break” hikes by the trail-managing organization.

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Still planning an overnight, multi-day, or thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail? Register your hike using our ATCamp system to help choose a date and starting location that will help you avoid crowded trailheads and campsites.

Visit ATCamp Page

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