The Appalachian Trail is one of the world’s best known long distance hiking trails. Here we examine some of the best Appalachian Trail books, choosing titles that are inspiring, entertaining, and informative.
Prepare to be inspired …
The Appalachian Trail is seen as a kind of ‘Holy Grail’ for hikers, and unsurprisingly there have been many books written about it. People from all over the world travel to north-eastern USA to walk the trail, either in parts, or to take on the whole 2,200 miles.
Best Appalachian Trail Books
AWOL on the Appalachian Trail by David Miller
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At the time David Miller hiked the AT he was a 41-year-old married father of three. What makes a successful family man take 6 months out of his life to undertake a trek that is both physically and mentally gruelling?
Well, if you’re reading this you probably already know, or at least have an inkling of an idea – why else read a page about Appalachian Trail books?
If you want that inkling of an idea to grow into a fully-fledged plan then you’ll need some inspiration, and you’ll find plenty here.
[amazon asin=0547745524&text=Click to read reviews at Amazon.]
The A.T. Guide Northbound 2016 by David Miller
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This book is also by David Miller, author of AWOL on the Appalachian Trail, above. The A.T. Guide is the reference book of choice for many Appalachian Trail hikers. It contains a huge amount of detailed information for hikers, including maps, section-by-section guides, attractions and lodgings.
This is the northbound version (hiking from south to north is the most common way of tackling the trail), but there is also a southbound version for those going the other way.
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A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson
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This is the book that first got us interested in hiking the Appalachian Trail. Written in Bryson’s trademark light-hearted style, it recalls his experiences hiking the A.T. with his friend, Katz.
This is a good book to read if you want to learn about the history of the trail. It also contains some witty writing and nice observations. Like many (judging by the Amazon reviews), I was disappointed that Bryson doesn’t complete the trail, but enjoyed the book nonetheless.
A Walk in the Woods is a good Appalachian Trail book to read during the winter months for a bit of inspiration. It’s also recently been made into a film starring film Robert Redford and Nick Nolte, so if reading isn’t your thing, check out the film.
[amazon asin=0307279464&text=Click to read reviews at Amazon.]
Appalachian Trail Books
The Appalachian Trail is without doubt the best known long-distance hiking trail in the USA, if not the world. Stretching between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine in eastern USA, the Appalachian Trail, or A.T., as it is affectionately known, is a gruelling 2,185 miles long.
Unsurprisingly, there have been a great many books written about the Appalachian Trail. Some are by hikers telling of their experiences, and some are reference works, containing maps, charts and other information (as you can see, some are reference works written by hikers).
The AT is marked by regular white paint ‘blazes’, which are usually no more than splashes of paint on a tree. Those who aim to complete the whole of the Appalachian in one go are known as ‘Thru-hikers’, and those who complete the trail in sections are known as ‘section-hikers’.‘blazes’, which are usually no more than splashes of paint on a tree. Those who aim to complete the whole of the Appalacian in one go are known as ‘Thru-hikers’, and those who complete the trail in sections are known as ‘section-hikers’.