If you are someone who hopes to hike the entire Appalachian Trail, word to the wise: It's getting longer and longer every day.
OK, so the original Appalachian National Scenic Trail isn't getting longer--those 2,175 miles are staying as is. But the International Appalachian Trail (IAT)--the stretch of trail that follows the Appalachian Mountains beyond the original Appalachian Trail terminus in Maine--is getting longer each year.
Newfoundland and Labrador plan to complete three new sections of trail through the Long Range Mountains, bringing the total length of trail in the province to approximately 750 miles. And with more mileage comes more amazing scenery. The three three sections in the works for 2009--Lewis Hills, Blow Me Down Mountain, and Devil's Bite (pictured below)--boast rugged mountains, pristine river valleys, and 1,000-foot waterfalls.
Don't make plans to trek through the three new paths this summer, as they aren't scheduled for completion until the fall. If you're really chomping at the bit for some fresh IAT action, check out Indian Lookout trail near Gros Morne National Park, which will open on August 1. Surely its views of fjords, scenic backcountry, and a 1,200-foot waterfall can placate you until the full 750 miles are completed.
Read more about the IAT's history and plans for the future after the break.
OK, so the original Appalachian National Scenic Trail isn't getting longer--those 2,175 miles are staying as is. But the International Appalachian Trail (IAT)--the stretch of trail that follows the Appalachian Mountains beyond the original Appalachian Trail terminus in Maine--is getting longer each year.Newfoundland and Labrador plan to complete three new sections of trail through the Long Range Mountains, bringing the total length of trail in the province to approximately 750 miles. And with more mileage comes more amazing scenery. The three three sections in the works for 2009--Lewis Hills, Blow Me Down Mountain, and Devil's Bite (pictured below)--boast rugged mountains, pristine river valleys, and 1,000-foot waterfalls.
Don't make plans to trek through the three new paths this summer, as they aren't scheduled for completion until the fall. If you're really chomping at the bit for some fresh IAT action, check out Indian Lookout trail near Gros Morne National Park, which will open on August 1. Surely its views of fjords, scenic backcountry, and a 1,200-foot waterfall can placate you until the full 750 miles are completed.
Read more about the IAT's history and plans for the future after the break.
Since 1990s, the IAT has slowly but surely expanded north into Canada.
Quebec and New Brunswick have over 500 miles of well-established trail.
Nova Scotia signed on in 2007, and is currently in the planning stages,
as is Prince Edward Island, which signed on in 2008. So, where to next?
Paul Wylezol, chairperson if the IAT chapter in Newfoundland and Labrador (IATNL), says there are plans to expand the trail network into Europe as well. IAT officials are heading to Spain, Portugal, and Scotland this spring to begin the process of establishing chapters in those countries. And there are hopes of getting Norway, Ireland, France, and Morocco involved as well.
"All of these countries contain Appalachian Mountains, which were once connected when the landmasses were part of the super continent Pangea," says Wylezol.
Maybe the IAT isn't exactly what Benton MacKaye had in mind when he suggested a contiguous trail through Appalachia (Europe and Newfoundland can't be directly connected with natural footpaths), but I'm sure he'd be pleased to know that his idea has become so infectious.
Besides, If the IAT does succeed in Europe, I'll have yet another excuse to cross the Atlantic. Hiking the Appalachian trail is, after all, one of my life goals--though the goal of hiking it all in one go has been grandfathered. I set that goal when I thought the trail was only a couple thousand miles long.
Photos: Appalachian Trail Sign courtesy of Brian Vallunga's Flickr photostream; Devils Bite Trail in Newfoundland courtesy of IATNL
Paul Wylezol, chairperson if the IAT chapter in Newfoundland and Labrador (IATNL), says there are plans to expand the trail network into Europe as well. IAT officials are heading to Spain, Portugal, and Scotland this spring to begin the process of establishing chapters in those countries. And there are hopes of getting Norway, Ireland, France, and Morocco involved as well.
"All of these countries contain Appalachian Mountains, which were once connected when the landmasses were part of the super continent Pangea," says Wylezol.
Maybe the IAT isn't exactly what Benton MacKaye had in mind when he suggested a contiguous trail through Appalachia (Europe and Newfoundland can't be directly connected with natural footpaths), but I'm sure he'd be pleased to know that his idea has become so infectious.
Besides, If the IAT does succeed in Europe, I'll have yet another excuse to cross the Atlantic. Hiking the Appalachian trail is, after all, one of my life goals--though the goal of hiking it all in one go has been grandfathered. I set that goal when I thought the trail was only a couple thousand miles long.
Photos: Appalachian Trail Sign courtesy of Brian Vallunga's Flickr photostream; Devils Bite Trail in Newfoundland courtesy of IATNL
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Thank you for the info...This is a beautiful location I will be taking my family there to hike and enjoy the great outdoors
Actually, the "original" Appalachian Trail is growing. The original length was 2,025 miles. Today the trail is over 2,178 miles. The trail changes length year to year due to maintenance and relocations. I hiked it last year when the official length was 2,176.2 miles. This year its up to 2,178!