Wandering off the Beaten Path: Less Traveled Long Distance Trails in the Appalachian Mountains
“Are you looking for a new adventure? . . . Been itching to return to long-distance hiking… anxious for something a bit more challenging” (Jenkins). Try wandering off the beaten path in the Appalachian Mountains. The Appalachian Mountains in North America, range from the southern foothills in Alabama north into Labrador and Newfoundland. They are identifiable through 18 states and 5 Canadian provinces. All this territory and yet it may come as a surprise to many that the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (AT) is not the only long-distance trail available to hike in the system.
As long-distance hiking becomes more and more popular trails like the AT see more hikers, to the point of overuse. People wishing to get away from it all may want to consider a less traveled path. Some of these less traveled trails interlink more than once with the AT and so can provide the bonus of a loop hike. Other trails connecting to the AT can offer an AT thru hiker the opportunity to continue hiking well beyond Katahdin. Shorter trails present the prospect of thru-hiking a trail without needing to quit one’s job for 6 months. Hiking one of the shorter trails can also serve as a shakedown in preparation for a potential longer distance hike. This critical preparation not only helps hikers make great gear decisions but will help them to discover if they even would enjoy a 6 month hike.
Most of the trails are more remote than the AT and offer less in the way of hiker amenities or hostels. Scott Jenkins writes of his experience thru hiking the Tuscarora Trail, one of the trails listed below: “The experience was just what I was seeking, rugged, remote, and isolated, this trail presented physical challenges and provided rewarding views.” What will your experience be?
Below is a spread sheet of trails that are over 100 miles in length in the Appalachian Chain.
Citations: Scott Jenkins, Considering the Tuscarora Trail. ALDHA Blaze, September 2020 vol 21
| Trail Name | Links to AT | Miles | States |
| Allegheny | yes | 311 | VA,WV |
| American Discovery Tr | yes | 6,800 | DE->CA |
| Appalachian High Route | yes | 350 | NC |
| Baker Tr | no | 132 | PA |
| Bartram Tr | no | 153 | NC, GA |
| Benton McKaye Tr | yes | 300 | NC, GA |
| Buckeye Tr | no | 1,444 | OH |
| Cohos Tr | yes | 165 | NH |
| Confederation Tr | no | 279 | PEI Canada |
| Cumberland Tr | yes | 330 | TN |
| East Coast Tr | no | 165 | NF. CA |
| East Coast Greenway | no | 3000 | FL-ME |
| Empire State | no | 750 | NY |
| Finger Lakes Tr | no | 557 | NY,PA |
| Florida Tr | no | 1300 | Fl |
| Great Eastern Tr | yes | 1600 | AL → NY |
| Horse Shoe Tr | yes | 140 | PA |
| International AT | yes | 1900 | ME, CA (NB → NF) |
| Long Path | yes | 358 | NY |
| Long Trail | yes | 272 | VT |
| Mason-Dixon Tr | yes | 193 | MD, DE, PA |
| Mountain to Sea Tr | yes | 1175 | NC |
| New England Tr | no | 215 | CT, MA, NH |
| North Country Tr | not yet | 4700 | ND→ VT |
| Northville-Placid Tr | no | 138 | NY |
| Palmetto Tr | no | 500 | SC |
| Paumanok Path | no | 125 | NY |
| PA Mid State Tr | yes | 327 | PA |
| Pinhoti Tr | no | 335 | AL, GA |
| Potomac Heritage Tr | yes | 830 | PA, MD, DC, VA |
| Shelowtee Trace | no | 282 | KY, TN |
| The Great Trail | no | 16700 | NL-BC CA. |
| Trail of Tears | 5045 | NC-OK | |
| Tuscarora | yes | 252 | VA, WV, MD, PA |
