The Appalachian Trail in the United States is one of the ten most grueling tourist trails, which not everyone dares to conquer. The path has a length of 3450 km and runs through the territory of 14 states at once. These places have been assigned the status of a nature reserve, and the route itself is one of the main natural attractions in the United States.
History
For the first time, they started talking about the need to equip the trail back in 1920, when a forester named B. McKay put forward a proposal to organize a tourist route through the protected area. And three years later, the first section was opened for a walk.
Since the length of the Trail is enormous, it was decided to involve public organizations and clubs to maintain cleanliness and order in its individual parts, between which this part of the nature reserve was divided and marked with special rectangles. In addition to steps, railings and other devices that facilitate the ascent and descent, there are more than 265 shelters along the entire length, in which tourists can stay overnight, wait out the rain or snow.
The Appalachian Trail is always crowded and you can meet tourists from all over the world. Just imagine, every year 3-4 million travelers come to these places, the majority of whom do not set grandiose goals, but simply get out for a few days to enjoy the clean mountain air and beautiful landscapes.
What you need to know
Like many other attractions, the Trail boasts a range of interesting facts that can prove to be quite useful during a grueling journey. Let's take a look at some of them.
So, travelers who have found the strength in themselves and have overcome the entire route claim that it takes no less strength to conquer it than is necessary to reach the summit of Everest. Therefore, it requires very good physical fitness, a serious attitude to possible difficulties and a number of skills to survive in the wild. Cell phones do not work here, and it is very difficult to call rescuers. You can only count on yourself and your comrades.
Tourists who are familiar with the peculiarities of the local climate recommend stocking up on quality sunscreen. Although the main part of the road is shaded by numerous trees, walking in an open area during hot periods can leave stinging burns on your skin.
It is highly recommended that you choose a tent that is resistant to both strong winds and rain, and before you take a nap, make sure that your food is not available to local "thieves" from among the small bears.
There are some tips for choosing the right outfit. In particular, the climate allows you to travel in shorts and a T-shirt. But do not completely abandon the pants because they can come in handy in case of a sudden change in the weather and you can wear them on cold evenings. Shoes should be as comfortable as possible. It is better to give preference to hiking boots with special insoles that will prevent chafing of your feet. And don't forget about a headdress that will protect your head from the scorching sun.
Tourism
It is interesting that on the Trail you can meet people of different age categories. Young people embark on a grueling route to test their strength, while older travelers prefer to spend time here for the benefit of the soul. Being alone with nature, forgetting about all the problems and troubles, reading a book in a green shade or listening to your favorite musical composition is perhaps the best way to overcome the middle years crisis.
Another feature of this natural attraction is that the traveler completely abandons the pleasures of civilized life, lives in one day, and all the problems, other difficulties of life and the noise of the metropolis lose all meaning and remain far behind.
They say that those travelers who have covered the entire route and returned to the starting point in the same way notice radical changes in the perception of many things, their psyche is transformed, and inside it seems like additional sources of vital energy are opening up. Interestingly, on the Appalachian Trail, you will never meet those who are begging. Everyone considers this style of behavior unworthy.
By the way, if you are considering biking, we advise you to abandon this idea. There are many dangerous and difficult-to-pass sections on the Trail, which are impossible to overcome with a bicycle.
The Appalachian Trail in the USA will give all lovers of wildlife, extreme sports and ordinary tourists a lot of positive emotions. Once in these places, they will remain in your heart for life.
We recommend reading about the Royal Trail in Spain on our website.
