Discovering the Appalachian Trail: A Guide to the Trail’s Greatest Hikes

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Get ready to take an unforgettable journey along the longest hiking trail in the world - a 2,200 mile path connecting 14 states, from Georgia to Maine, that brings people closer to nature and themselves. 


Beautifully crafted with equal parts inspiration and information, Discovering the Appalachian Trail combines stunning professional photography, real personal stories, artfully designed maps, bits of historical information, and other introductory technical concepts to allow readers both an escape from everyday life and a lens into the life of a thru-hiker.


Follow along with excitement or sink into blissful nostalgia as Joshua and Amber guide you through an intimate exploration of this iconic footpath otherwise known as the People’s Trail. Enjoy the book from cover to cover or flip to any page for stunning landscapes, breathtaking heights, vibrant wilderness, and stories that highlight the spirit of adventure. 


Discovering the Appalachian Trail aims to inspire any short or long distance hiker, as well as any outdoor, travel or adventure enthusiast. Whether you are eight or eighty-eight, we are sure you will find something in this book that will captivate your heart and inspire imagination.



Hiking the Appalachian Trail through Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee is the ultimate mile-by-mile guide to the southern Appalachian Trail, covering 471 miles from Springer Mountain, Georgia, to Damascus, Virginia. Whether you’re a day hiker, weekend adventurer, or planning a full section hike, this book helps you dream it, plan it, and do it.

Inside you’ll find:

  • Backpacking basics, Southern flora and fauna, and AT history

  • Trail descriptions with distances, difficulty ratings, and GPS coordinates for trailheads

  • Stunning professional photographs and full-color maps

  • Quick-reference charts for water sources, campsites, shelters, and more

  • Tips on trail towns, resupply points, and local highlights

  • Fun sidebars on historic landmarks, trail legends, and other curiosities

Written by Joshua and Amber Niven, seasoned backpackers, AT experts, and Southern Appalachian natives. This guide blends local knowledge with firsthand experience. From breezy mountaintops to peaceful forest trails, it provides everything you need to successfully hike from Springer Mountain to Damascus, Virginia.