The historic Appalachian trail is the world's longest continuously-marked trail. It starts in Maine and then winds down through fourteen states, and officially ends in Georgia. Though it's meant to be walked, a hike from end to end can take between five and seven months-- and only 20% of those who set out to conquer it actually complete the journey. People prepare for months to actually hike the entire length of the trail, which has been around since the 1920s, and is a permanent part of America's hiking heritage. But, it's also pretty fun to drive the Trail, which is divided into three major sections: New England, Mid-Atlantic, and the Southern Appalachians. The New England stretch of the trail takes you from Maine to New Hampshire, though a bit of Vermont, and into Connecticut. The Mid-Atlantic states include New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. Then you'll hit the Southern Appalachians, which include Virginia and West Virginia, then over to Tennessee and down to North Carolina and Georgia.
173 River Road, Pasadena, MD, United States
Another must-stop along the route is the 110-mile Skyline Drive, which runs the entire length of Shenandoah National Park, in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.
Definitely plan to spend at least a day at Shenandoah National Park. The park is 200,000 square miles, offers 500 miles of trails, and encompasses part of eight counties, with exposed rock that dates back over 1 billion years. Here are a few of the best spots to hit up: Old Rag Mountain is one of the most popular of all the trails and with good reason. At dusk you can see an insanely beautiful view of the Blue Valley. If you’re looking for a hike with a more refreshing surrounding, try hiking to Crabtree Falls. This waterfall is the highest vertical-drop cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River, and its beauty draws spectators from all over. Before finishing your visit, explore the Shenandoah Caverns, which offer mile-long tours that take you past strange and beautiful rock formations.
The historic Big Meadows Lodge in Shenandoah National Park and the stately Natural Bridge Hotel are two great choices for lodging along this stretch of the Appalachian Trail. For more budget accommodations, the Mayberry Motor Inn in Mount Airy, NC is a retro-kitschy Andy Griffith Show-themed courtyard-style hotel just off US Route 52-- it's less than two miles from the Andy Griffith Museum, naturally.
173 River Road, Pasadena, MD, United States
The best time to drive down the Appalachian Trail is in the fall. Many places are seasonal along the route, and some are closed in winter, also some roads will be closed seasonally as well. Summer can be hot and muggy, but autumn is pretty much perfect. From September through mid-November the leaves will be changing and provide a gorgeous backdrop to your journey. Spring is lovely as well, with wildflowers in bloom and mild temperatures, although you might run across the occasional April shower.
