The Appalachian Trail Conservancy suggests postponing any plans to walk the 2200 mile Appalachian Trail this year due to safety concerns related to COVID-19. Morgan Sommerville, Regional Director for the Conservancy, is recommending against long-distance hikes. Hikers that are walking the entire trail., known as thru-hikers come through the 71 miles of trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and reach western North Carolina trail towns like Hot Springs in Madison County, in March and April, where they gather in large numbers to rest, mend gear and resupply. They also stay at shelters in close quarters along the trail. The shelters don’t allow for the CDC’s COVID-safety guidelines, which include maintaining social distance of at least 6 feet from those who don’t live in the same household and washing hands often with soap and water.
The Appalachian Trail crosses through 14 states from Georgia to Maine and covers 2,193 miles. Parts of the trail are in Avery, Madison, Mitchell and Yancey counties.