ALDHA 44th ANNUAL GATHERING
OCTOBER 9-12, 2026
Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA
Whether section-hiker or thruhiker, the best place to plan your next hike is the fall Gathering of the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association, where fellow wanderers will share their most recent adventures on trails all around the globe, giving you great ideas and tips on where you can hike next. And if you’re just getting your feet wet and dreaming of someday thru-hiking the A.T., the 2026 Gathering is the place you want to be, especially if you are planning to hit the trail in 2027. Numerous workshops are designed specifically to help you prepare, from lightweight gear to food to first aid.
ALL HIKERS & LOVERS OF TRAILS…
Join us over the Columbus Day Weekend this year for the 44th Gathering of long-distance hikers and friends. The four-day-long event will be at Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pa., in the midst of a historic setting and just a half hour from the link that binds us in one common thread: The Appalachian Trail.
REGISTER HERE!
Gathering registration fees
$30 per person before June 1.
$40 per person after June 1
(Children under 17 & Class of 2026 AT thru-hikers get in free.)
Gathering meal tickets
$11 for breakfast, 7:30-10 a.m.
$16 for lunch, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
$17 for dinner, 5-7:30 p.m.
(Meals are available from Friday dinner through Sunday dinner. The campus dining center is across the street from the College Union Building, or CUB. Other dining options are in the CUB and in town.)
Download a special edition of The Long Distance Hiker (Contains maps and more details)
Campsite, Hotels & Meals
Your Gathering registration fee will entitle you to free camping a short 3.5 miles from the Gettysburg campus. Just bring your own tent and sleeping gear. We’ll provide a list of area hotels for those who prefer not to camp. (We are trying to get a group discount for attendees at one of the hotels.) You can buy meal tickets in advance and eat in the campus dining hall or buy your meals at one of the many area restaurants.
What To Bring
— All the comforts you’ll need for car camping. (Going lightweight is not really necessary.)
— Earplugs to block tentsite neighbors who snore.
— Photos from the trail for the photo contest.
— Water and trash bags for the campsite, which has no water or trash cans onsite.
— A camp chair to sit in at the campfire.
— Work gloves and work clothes for the work trip on the A.T., following the Gathering.
Gathering Programs
Each evening you’ll be treated to a feature presentation. The rest of the Gathering weekend is chock full of trail workshops, slide shows, forums and other programs, all aimed at helping you on your next long-distance hiking adventure. And if you have a favorite trail or subject you’d like to share, by all means let us know so you can put on your own workshop!
Giving Back to the Trail
We always have a trail work trip on the Monday after the Gathering. It allows us hikers a chance to give back to the trails we love. Also, it’s the Columbus Day holiday, so many of us have the day off. This year, we’ll be a half hour up the road at Ironmasters Mansion Hostel, on the A.T., to paint and do other chores. Your overnight stay and dinner are free. Space may be limited so sign up at the registration desk.
Workshop Presenters & Hiker Fair Vendors
Our signup forms are now available.
Vendor Form Workshop FormFor presenters, here are some example ideas to inspire you to share your knowledge:
🌄 Workshops for New or Aspiring Thru‑Hikers
🥾 **1. Thru‑Hiking 101: What You *Really* Need to Know**
– Gear basics without the gear‑shaming
– Budgeting and resupply realities
– How to avoid the classic first‑month mistakes
– A panel of hikers from different decades to show the range of approaches
🧭 **2. Planning a Thru‑Hike Without Losing Your Mind**
– How to plan *just enough*
– Permits, logistics, and seasonal timing
– How to adjust when plans inevitably change
🧠 **3. The Mental Game: Staying Motivated on a Long Trail**
– Managing loneliness, doubt, and “Virginia Blues”
– Building resilience and realistic expectations
– Stories from hikers who almost quit but didn’t
🥣 **4. Trail Nutrition That Doesn’t Suck**
– Easy, cheap, realistic food strategies
– How to avoid the ramen‑and‑Snickers trap
– Resupply hacks for picky eaters or dietary restrictions
🩹 **5. Injury Prevention & Early Intervention**
– Blister care, overuse injuries, and when to rest
– How to avoid the “first 100‑mile injuries”
– When to push through and when to stop
🐻 **6. Safety & Stewardship on the AT**
– Bear‑safe practices
– Leave No Trace for long‑distance hikers
– Trail etiquette and how to be a good community member
🏡 Workshops for People Supporting Hikers From Home
💬 **7. How to Support a Thru‑Hiker Without Driving Them Nuts**
– Communication expectations
– What hikers *actually* need (and what they don’t)
– How to handle the emotional rollercoaster from afar
📦 **8. Resupply Boxes: When They Help and When They Hurt**
– How to pack a useful box
– When to send them (and when not to)
– How to avoid over‑supporting
🧭 **9. Following Along From Home: Maps, Apps, and Safety Tools**
– How families can track progress without hovering
– What hikers use on trail (FarOut, Garmin, etc.)
– How to interpret mileage and pace realistically
🧘 **10. The Emotional Journey for Families**
– What it’s like when your partner/child is gone for 5–6 months
– How to manage worry
– How to welcome them home without overwhelming them
🧑🤝🧑 Community‑Building Workshops (Great for All Attendees)
🎙️ **11. Storytelling From the Trail**
– How to turn a hike into a compelling story
– Writing, podcasting, and journaling tips
– A space for new hikers to hear from veterans
🛠️ **12. How to Give Back: Trail Work 101**
– What trail crews actually do
– How to get involved locally
– Hands‑on demos (blaze painting, tool intro, etc.)
🎒 **13. Gear Swap & Repair Clinic**
– Fix‑it skills: sewing, patching, waterproofing
– How to extend the life of gear
– A community gear‑swap table
🧩 **14. Myths & Misconceptions About the AT**
– “Do I need to train?”
– “Is it dangerous?”
– “Do I need ultralight gear?”
– A fun, interactive myth‑busting session
🌱 Workshops for People Who Aren’t Hiking *Yet* but Want to Be
🚶 **15. Section Hiking for Busy People**
– How to break the AT into manageable chunks
– Transportation, shuttles, and lodging
– How to build a multi‑year plan
🏋️ **16. Training for a Thru‑Hike When You Have a Job**
– Realistic conditioning plans
– How to train without living in the mountains
– Injury‑proofing before you start
🧭 **17. Navigation for Beginners**
– Map & compass basics
– How to read elevation profiles
– Understanding trail signage and blazes
