These seven scenarios outline possible variations from the typical Georgia-to-Maine thru-hike. Sample itineraries are generally designed for a six and one-half month hike. This allows for the average thru-hike time of six months and two weeks for travel and a little extra time off between legs of the journey. Sample itineraries are designed to optimize terrain, weather, and crowd avoidance. Most also provide opportunities for companionship and camaraderie. For a more complete discussion of the issues involved in determining your own hiking schedule, review When Should I Start?

Head-start: April

Damascus, Va. north to Katahdin; Damascus south to Springer Mountain.

Sample itinerary: Start in Damascus mid-April, hike north to climb Katahdin mid-September; resume hiking south third week of September, finish on Springer Mountain beginning of November.

• Start ahead of crowds of thru-hikers, but be assured of companionship from early hikers.
• Be prepared for snow across the Mt. Rogers highlands (a 26-mile high-elevation stretch that starts about 17 miles north of Damascus).
• Do not expect to keep up with the pace of thru-hikers who started in Georgia; allow yourself 3-6 weeks to get in optimal shape.
• Start out in terrain of moderate difficulty.
• Plenty of time to reach Katahdin before it closes.
• Enjoy fall colors in the deep South.

Head-start: May

Harpers Ferry, W.Va., north to Katahdin; Harpers Ferry, W.Va., south to Springer Mountain.

Sample itinerary: Start in Harpers Ferry first half of May, reach Katahdin second half of August; return to Harpers Ferry after Labor Day; finish at Springer Mountain the second half of November.

• Start in easiest part of the Trail that very gradually gets more difficult.
• When you start do not expect to keep pace right away with thru-hikers who started in Georgia.
• Start in mild, pleasant weather.
• Start amidst spring wildflowers and walk north with spring.
• Hike through the mid-Atlantic before it gets hot, humid and water sources become scarce.
• If you start earlier than May, plan to reach Vermont after mud season ends (about June 1).
• Reach the White Mountains in July, before the peak crowds.
• Reach Maine in August, when black flies are gone (but expect crowds the last hundred miles of Maine).
• Plenty of time to reach Katahdin before it closes.
• Walk south with fall colors on the second half of your hike.
• Companionship with early northbounders the first half, then finish the Trail with early southbounders.
• Be prepared for hunting season in the South.
• Be prepared for cold weather and the possibility of snow in November.

Head-start: June

Southern New England north to Katahdin; southern New England south to Springer Mountain.

Case study: “Scatman” started on the NY/CT line mid-June and hiked northbound, climbing Katahdin mid-August. He returned to starting point in NY and headed south with the southbound thru-hikers, finishing the end of November.

His comments: “I believe that beginning in Connecticut in early June was beneficial. By hiking southbound for most of the trip, we also avoided the crowded shelters and the 'spring break' atmosphere of the early part of a northbound hike. It also allowed me to 'follow autumn' for much of the southbound portion of my hike. We did experience some cold weather at higher elevations and some snow in the Smokies … Doing New England northbound also afforded me the opportunity to approach Katahdin head-on, one of the most exciting sights on the A.T.”

Flip-flop

Springer Mountain north to Harpers Ferry, W.Va.; Katahdin south to Harpers Ferry.

Sample itinerary: Start at Springer Mountain second half of April and hike north, reaching Harpers Ferry, W.Va., middle of July; then flip to Katahdin. Hike south to Harpers Ferry and end first half of November.

• Start at Springer Mountain, but without the crowds.
• Minimal chance of snow or severe cold the entire hike.
• Avoid heat in most of mid-Atlantic.
• Avoid crowds of other thru-hikers.
• No worries about reaching Katahdin before it closes.
• Hike with late northbounders first half; hike with southbounders the second half and meet northbounders a second time.
• Hike south with fall colors.

Southbound Circuit, a.k.a. Wraparound

Sample itinerary: Start in Harpers Ferry first half of April and hike south, reaching Georgia the first half of July. Flip to Katahdin and hike south, finishing in Harpers Ferry the second half of October.

Case study: “Lonesome Dove” started March 13 in Harpers Ferry. When he reached Shenandoah National Park a week later, he encountered an ice storm that made parts of the Trail impassable and he was forced to walk on Skyline Drive. After completing the southern half of the A.T. a few months later, he took off several weeks and started again southbound in Maine in late summer, finishing his hike in Harpers Ferry the first week of November. His summary of this approach: “A great hike south without bugs and heat of summer. I enjoyed it but it can be lonely.”

• To avoid snow and ice do not start before April.
• To take advantages of services in Shenandoah National Park do not start before April.
• Experience a great deal of solitude.
• Consider staying at Skyland Lodge in Shenandoah National Park, so you can use it as a mail drop and cut the food you have to carry through the Park in half while you're still getting in shape.
• Start in mostly gentle terrain and gradually work up to the more challenging terrain of the deep South.
• Enjoy rhododendron, mountain laurel, and azalea in bloom for several weeks in the south.
• Expect hot, humid weather in Georgia.
• No worries about reaching Katahdin in time.
• Walk south with southbounders and fall color.
• Because of the loneliness factor, this alternative may be best suited to couples and small groups.
• Harpers Ferry has direct train access.

Leapfrog

Springer Mountain north to Harpers Ferry, W.Va., southern New England north to Katahdin, southern New England south to Harpers Ferry.

Sample itinerary: Start at Springer second half of April and hike north, reaching Harpers Ferry middle of July; “leapfrog” to Great Barrington, Mass; hike north to Katahdin, finishing in September. Return to Great Barrington and hike south to Harpers Ferry.

• Start at Springer Mountain with other hikers, but without the crowds.
• Minimal chance of snow or severe cold the entire hike.
• Avoid the worst heat in most of the mid-Atlantic.
• Hike in New England before severe cold sets in.
• Walk north toward Katahdin with little or no time pressure.
• Hike through southern New England and mid-Atlantic in fall colors.
• Additional logistics required.

Cool Breeze

Hike the Trail in three equidistant pieces, all southbound. Start with the middle third of Trail, followed by the northern third, ending with the southern third.

Sample itinerary: Start in southern Connecticut late April, hike south, reaching Troutville, Virginia (Roanoke area) late June. Hike from Katahdin south, reaching southern Connecticut end of August/ early September. Hike from Troutville south, ending at Springer early November.

Case study: After completing the Trail twice, “Cool Breeze” designed his third hike to put him in each part of the Trail during optimal weather conditions. “I hit many places in their most clement and beautiful seasons (Pennsylvania in moist May, Maine and Whites in balmy July and August, Smokies in late October peak colors) and finished at Springer before snow fell in early November. It required 2 flips, Virginia to Katahdin, and Connecticut to Virginia, but it allowed me the best weather of any of my A.T. trips.”

• Hike in mid-Atlantic during spring, before it gets hot and dry.
• Hike first two months in moderate or easy terrain.
• Hike in New England after bug season, in temperate weather before it gets cold.
• Expect few other long-distance hikers traveling in the same direction, especially on first leg.
• Additional logistics required.
• No worries about Katahdin closure.
• Avoid extremes of both heat and cold.