Hiking the Appalachian Trail

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Atlanta, Georgia, please refer to the Georgia Department of Public Health website.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

What you get in this adventure:

• A local Appalachian Trail hiking guide
• Campsites/lodging accommodations
• Permits
• Transportation throughout the adventure
• Transfers to and from the airport
• Option to have gear transported from each lodging location

What’s not included:

• Flights and flight taxes
• Meals*
• Sleeping bag & personal items
• Travel insurance

*Some meals are included depending on the trip you book.

You need to be able to hike for full days, carrying a full daypack or backpacking pack. Each day you will hike between four to six hours or between six to 10 miles per day for a total of 50 miles each week. The terrain can be challenging and the weather unforgiving. That said, if you are looking for adventure and up to the task of multiple days or weeks of full-day trekking, you’ll be rewarded immensely.

Your exact gear list will be dependent on the itinerary you choose and will be provided after booking. Here’s a list of the general equipment you need to bring:

• Backpacking pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 40-60L bag)
• Water bottle
• Sleeping bag
• Hiking boots
• Spare warm clothes
• Down or synthetic jacket
• Rainproof jacket
• Compass & map
• Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, first aid kit, toilet paper, etc.)
• High quality sunglasses
• Head lantern
• Trekking poles
• Camera — optional (but recommended)

Hiring a local guide offers you the chance to experience the Appalachian Trail’s beauty to the fullest. Local guides know all the hidden gems the area has to offer, will explain the history and geology during the hike, and will transport you to and from the destination. Your guide will also know just what to do if the weather takes a turn or something unexpected happens.

With us, it’s all play and no work for you! 57hours is an open platform that connects you with trained and certified outdoor adventure professionals all over the world. Using our tech-savvy, we make it super easy to find and book adventures worth tackling, with guides worth booking, all gathered from the first-hand experiences of the locals who adventure in these amazing locations.

Groups for week-long hikes usually consist of two people for southern sections and four people for northern sections. For the three or six-month hikes, a minimum of five hikers are required for the trip to take place. You can arrange a private trip with a guide, if you’re traveling alone or a larger party. All pricing is per person.

A deposit of $200 per person is needed to secure your spot. Full amount should be paid one month prior to departure.

Everybody over the age of 16 is welcome on this hiking adventure.

Appalachian Trail tours are scheduled to fit with the seasons and ideal hiking conditions. That said, you’ll pack to prepare for the elements while on the trail. When the weather does not cooperate, your guide will know the correct course of action to take. Whether that’s shifting the schedule or postponing until conditions approve, your guide will know just what to do. In the event of predictably dangerous weather, you will be contacted prior to the trip to discuss suitable alternatives.

It’s highly recommended that you cover all your bases with travel and medical insurance. While hiking might seem like a low-risk outdoor activity, accidents can happen anywhere and we recommend insurance to avoid paying out of pocket for costly medical expenses. And as we’ve recently seen, travel plans can be abruptly halted, so it’s a good idea to have cancellation insurance that also covers lost baggage. It’s tried and tested and it works.

With 57hours, you benefit from both our own cancellation policy as well as that of the individual guiding service that delivers your adventure. All policies regarding cancellation will be clearly laid out by your guide after booking your adventure, but rest assured that our own cancellation policy will work on top of what is provided by your guide.

For this adventure, 57hours offers a Moderate Cancellation Policy, which states:

If Client cancels the Booking anytime prior to thirty (30) calendar days in advance of the trip contemplated by the booking, Client is entitled to a full refund. For cancellations fourteen (14) to twenty nine (29) calendar days in advance, Client is entitled to a refund in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the total amount paid when Booking. For cancellations zero (0) to thirteen (13) days in advance, the Client is not entitled to any refund.

In case of cancellation due to COVID-19, you can reschedule or get a full refund.

For more information on terms and conditions, please visit our Terms of Service page.

Your Appalachian Trail guide will pick you up from the Dulles, VA or Atlanta, GA airport, depending on your itinerary and section you will be hiking. You’ll typically meet your guide on Sunday for a day of preparation ahead of the hike. After your stay overnight, the guide will bring you to The A.T. trailhead. Your guide will transport you back to the airport upon your departure.