The Appalachian Trail was envisioned in 1921 not just as a hiking path, but as a people’s park — a place where everyday Americans could escape the chaos of their lives, reconnect with nature, and tend to their mental and physical health. It took 15 years of volunteers working together to make it a reality. Today, more than 5,000 volunteers contribute 176,500+ hours per year to keep it going. Cinda Waldbuesser, President and CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, joins The Parks Podcast to explain how the longest hiking-only trail in the United States actually works — and all the ways you can experience it.

 

A note from Missy: I grew up not far from the Appalachian Trail. Most of our family hikes took place there. It wasn’t until my adult life that my interest and intrigue grew. Reading Senator Tim Kaine’s book gave me a new perspective on what the trail has to offer. I love that you can be a through hiker, or you can pop on for a picnic or day hike. I love the four-season recreation and the community that is created by everyone who has ever been on this trail.

Image - overlook from Appalachian Trail

Episode Guest

Cinda Waldbuesser – President & CEO
Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Trail Stats

  • Length: 2,197.9 miles
  • States: 14 (Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine)
  • Land: ~370,000 acres
  • Highest point: Kuwohi, North Carolina — 6,643 feet
  • Lowest point: Bear Mountain State Park, New York — 124 feet
  • Annual recreation visits: 16.9 million (2025)
  • Steps to complete: Approximately 5 million
  • Elevation gain equivalent: Climbing Mount Everest 16 times
  • Volunteers: 5,000+ contributing 176,500+ hours annually
  • Through hikers: ~3,000–4,000 attempt annually; approximately 1 in 3 complete
  • Original vision: 1921, by Benton MacKaye
  • National Scenic Trail designation: 1968 (President Lyndon B. Johnson)
  • First section built: 1923, Bear Mountain, New York
  • Trail completed Georgia to Maine: 1937
  • Trail clubs: 30 clubs spread across 14 states
  • Management model: Three-legged stool — NPS/Forest Service + ATC + 30 trail clubs

Show Notes & Links

Transcript

Appalachian Trail — The Trail That Belongs to All of Us
The Parks Podcast, Episode 69 | Cinda Waldbuesser, President & CEO, Appalachian Trail Conservancy
What Makes the AT Unique

Missy Rentz: I’m excited to welcome Cinda Waldbuesser to The Parks Podcast. Cinda is the President and CEO of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Cinda, welcome to The Parks Podcast.

Cinda Waldbuesser: Thank you for having me. I’m really excited to talk about the AT.

Missy: Me too, because it was kind of my backyard growing up — so it has a special place in my heart and lots of memories there. I start each episode going through park stats, so I’m going to do that for the Appalachian Trail. The trail is located in 14 states: Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. The idea came about in 1921, and after a lot of people did a lot of things, it was established as a National Scenic Trail in 1968 — Lyndon B. Johnson was president at the time. The trail is 2,197.9 miles long and encompasses about 370,000 acres. The highest elevation is Kuwohi in North Carolina at 6,643 feet, and the lowest elevation is Bear Mountain State Park in New York at 124 feet. In 2025, there were 16.9 million recreation visits. It’s the longest hiking-only footpath in the world. It would take roughly 5 million steps to hike the entire trail, and if you do the entire trail, the elevation gain is the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest 16 times. When you’re on the AT, you might see one of 1,800 endangered or rare species — black bear, moose, bobcats, chipmunks, fox, woodpeckers, snakes, frogs, and so much more. And there are more than 5,000 volunteers who contribute over 176,500 hours every year. You can do a through hike, but there are also hundreds of access points so you can go for just the day too.

Cinda: It is a pretty phenomenal resource.

Missy: It really is. And it’s so unique — you hear about the Pacific Crest Trail and the Appalachian Trail as these massive feats for people, but you also hear about someone like me, who just went for a two-hour hike on a Saturday afternoon growing up.

Cinda: That’s right. Through hiking gets a lot of attention — rightfully so, I’m in awe of those who have through hiked. But really most of our visitors are there for a short hike or a day hike. And the great thing about the AT is it exposes so many different people to not only the trail and to hiking, but also to the value of public lands as a whole.

Missy: We had Senator Kaine on for an episode last spring when his book came out — his book is so fascinating because it’s like reading a journal. He just did the Virginia part, but you really do form such unique bonds with people when you’re on the trail.

Cinda: That’s right. The sense of community that exists from every segment of user — the through hikers who are part of trail clubs and can talk about lifelong experiences, to the everyday hikers who just meet somebody as they’re out hiking or build a deeper relationship with their family or friends. It’s really special.

The Cooperative Management System

Missy: The trail is part of the National Park Service. But when I reached out to them, the first thing they said was, “Oh, you really need to talk to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.” So there is a strong partnership with the Park Service. How does that work?

Cinda: That’s really what makes the AT so unique — the partnership. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit, not formally connected to the National Park Service except for our very close partnership. The AT is managed through what we call a cooperative management system — a three-legged stool. One leg is our federal land management partners, the Forest Service and the Park Service. The second is the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. And the third — very importantly — is the 30 Trail Clubs spread out along the trail, whose hundreds of volunteers are out every day maintaining portions of the trail. All of those legs have to be working together and strong in order to maintain, protect, and keep the trail as wonderful as it’s been for the last hundred years.

Missy: Would that third leg be somewhat equivalent to the friends organizations we talk about a lot — people who can join to help support?

Cinda: A little different. The friends groups at national parks are incredibly valuable — the National Park Service would be lost without them. But many friends groups focus on philanthropic support for park projects and programs, whereas the Trail Clubs actually help manage and maintain the trail itself. This cooperative management structure is pretty unique to trails and to the Appalachian Trail.

The History of the AT

Missy: The idea for this trail started in 1921 — more than a hundred years ago.

Cinda: It was first envisioned in 1921 by Benton MacKaye — and really as much more than a hiking path, but as a people’s park. A place where everyday Americans could escape the city, escape the chaos of their lives, reconnect with nature, and better their mental and physical health. Then it took 15 years of volunteers coming together to make the vision a reality. In 1937, it was completed Georgia to Maine. That sense of volunteerism, that sense of collective ownership and grassroots maintenance — it’s still very much alive today. It’s why the trail has existed and thrived for a hundred years.

Missy: As you talk about that — This Land Is Your Land. Like, it is my land. I’m the one picking up the trash. I feel that way in a lot of parks, but something is different and special on the trail.

Cinda: It’s just more organized, more of an everyday effort. Not just periodically — it’s an everyday effort by many volunteers to keep the trail alive.

Missy: Was there a first spot? Is there a place on the trail where it started?

Cinda: New York is home to the first section of the AT, built in 1923 on Bear Mountain.

Through Hiking — What It Takes

Missy: I want to spend a lot of time talking about planning a visit, because there are a million ways to see the trail. I drop it into two categories: the day hikes or casual visits, and then through hiking, which is a very different experience. Let’s start there. What is through hiking and how many people do it a year?

Cinda: Through hiking is completing the entire trail in one go. You can complete the entire trail in sections, but a through hike means starting somewhere on the trail and completing the full thing. Roughly 3,000 to 4,000 people attempt a through hike each year, and about one in three actually finish the trail.

Missy: If I decided today I want to through hike — is there something you register for?

Cinda: AT Camp is ATC’s voluntary hiker registration platform. We encourage all overnight hikers to register their itinerary — through hikers, section hikers, groups of hikers. It helps reduce overcrowding at overnight sites, reduces impacts, and gives ATC and trail managers insights into trail use and trends. We encourage everyone spending the night on the trail to register.

Missy: Do you control how many people start per day?

Cinda: People can start any day they want — it’s a voluntary registration process. But what they’ll get is information about how many other people are also starting at that time, which helps them understand if they’re going to face crowding at a shelter. The hope is that education helps space folks out, because they want to be able to find a place to stay.

Missy: What’s the most traditional route?

Cinda: The most traditional route is northbound — starting in Georgia and making your way to Maine. You’d generally start in late winter or early spring, and then reach Katahdin before mid-October when it closes. There are other ways to do it. Some hike southbound. And then there’s what’s called a flip flop — starting in the middle of the trail, hiking one direction, then coming back and hiking the other. Most hike northbound, and that’s when most people are registering.

Missy: And it’s done that way because of weather?

Cinda: That’s a big part of it. You’re following spring — starting at the end of the worst of winter and ending in Maine before the really severe weather hits.

Missy: If you’re a through hiker — just to paint a picture — you’re hiking every day, maybe taking some break days, and when you sleep there are shelters?

Cinda: There are shelters and there’s tent camping. And then as you hit towns, hikers will stop in and stay, get a hot meal — much deserved. Those are the various ways people rest on the trail.

Missy: And I know from growing up in Virginia that there were a lot of organizations that would cater to that — shuttle you into town. The community is not just who you’re hiking with, but getting to know the best towns to stop in.

Cinda: That’s right. With most people hiking northbound, there’s a big community of hikers. You’re meeting people along the trail, hiking with them, meeting up with them again. You might pass somebody coming from the other direction who has a great pointer for you. It truly is a community while you’re on the trail, and it stays a community long after you’re off the trail.

Missy: The stories are so rich. And you hit on a good point — what it teaches you. The flexibility and resilience and troubleshooting, because the silliest, most unplanned things happen when you’re outside and you just figure it out. That’s something we don’t get other places like we used to.

Cinda: Absolutely. You can work through many problems if you’re forced to work through them.

Day Hiking and Section Hiking

Missy: Senator Kaine did just the Virginia section and talks a lot about making it your own space and doing what’s right for you. What are some of the other ways people use the AT?

Cinda: Why the AT is so special is that it’s connected to so many different communities — 14 states, hundreds of access points, within a short drive of millions of people. People are using the trail in all sorts of ways: a short day in nature with kids, a strenuous day hike, a section hike, a through hike. For each of those, it’s really important to be prepared. Understand your skill set and your goals. Think through what the day is going to look like. Make sure you have water and snacks. There are lots of apps that can help you understand trail conditions — Far Out, AllTrails. ATC has examples of good day hikes for all 14 states on their website. And there are printed guides if you want a piece of paper with you.

Missy: One thing you bring up is safety. This isn’t like a park where you go through a big gate and there are rangers all over — you’re kind of on your own, and so preparation is really key.

Cinda: Absolutely. Food storage if you’re staying for a period of time — we need to store our food safely.

Missy: And we store it because of bears?

Cinda: Absolutely, because of bears and animals, yes.

Missy: It’s not something to be scared of because it’s so easy to manage once you learn how to do it — and there’s a million ways to do it, but that’s why we have to think about food storage if we’re staying overnight.

Cinda: Leave No Trace principles, making sure you’re taking everything out with you that you brought in, what to wear, layers, knowing how to navigate — all of those pieces are key, even for a shorter hike. And they’re so easy now with the internet and apps to prepare before you head out.

Missy: I remember once I was on this summer hike — beautiful sunny day, three miles or so — and I got to the top and the sky just opened up. Summertime on the AT, you just don’t know what you’re going to get.

Cinda: Always try to know what the weather is going to be as much as you can.

Missy: We always talk about layering — always throw the rain jacket in, because those summer storms roll in fast. So if someone says, “I’m going to do it” — what’s the first step?

Cinda: I would say look at ATC’s website. We have safety tips, hiking options, day hiking options. Be familiar with the various apps that can help with navigation. Think through what you’re taking with you. Water — very important. Snacks. Layers of clothing. Sturdy hiking shoes that you’re comfortable in and have worn before, to try to avoid blisters. And just knowing what you don’t know and learning it before you go.

Missy: The terrain is worthy of hiking shoes and boots — it’s not a flip-flop kind of trail. There are ups and downs, rocks, moss, all sorts of things. Where can someone stay?

Cinda: There are opportunities to camp along the trail and there are shelters, and then there’s easy on-and-off access to get into towns to stay at bed and breakfasts or hotels. Various different lodging options in nearby towns.

Missy: A lot of those towns — their economies are built on the AT. They’re amazing for what they do for lodging and feeding and entertaining.

Cinda: And they’re at the heart of the AT. The cultures of those towns are each unique and bring something new to the trail and to the hikers visiting. And it’s where many of the volunteers who help maintain the trail live. The communities along the trail are integral to what makes it so special.

Hurricane Helene and the Importance of Checking Conditions

Missy: We talk a lot about preparation — and one of the reasons is that after Hurricane Helene came through, that really impacted the trail.

Cinda: Absolutely. And the positive is we saw exactly how well the cooperative management system works — we were able to mobilize volunteers very quickly to start to reopen sections of the trail. But even now there are still segments that are not open and where you have to take a different route. So it goes again to the importance of preparing ahead. Checking the ATC website, the Park Service website, apps like Far Out and AllTrails — all have real-time data on what’s open and what’s not. Especially after a storm, but really anytime you’re out, just check those to see if there are any changes in the route you plan to take.

Volunteering and Trail Days

Missy: I love how many volunteers are part of the conservancy. If someone wants to get involved, how can they do that?

Cinda: I would encourage anyone who wants to engage to visit AppalachianTrail.org/volunteer. That has a list of volunteer opportunities — there’s something for everyone, whatever your skill set, whatever your hiking experience. If you don’t have time to be on the trail volunteering, there are other ways to engage with ATC. All of that can be found at our website.

Missy: I’ve heard of communities really embracing the AT and some big celebrations. What are some of those?

Cinda: One of the biggest is Trail Days, coming up May 15th through 17th in Damascus, Virginia — one of the most iconic gatherings of hikers and members of the hiking community along the Appalachian Trail. Damascus is a small community and Trail Days brings in upward of 20,000 visitors to celebrate the AT. It’s a pretty special event and it’s coming up, so anyone who’s interested should drop in.

Speed Round

Earliest park memory?
I grew up in the Philadelphia area and spent most weekends hiking in the Wissahickon Valley with my dad and our dogs. The Wissahickon Valley is part of Fairmount Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country — and you would never know you were in a city. That was my fundamental, core introduction to parks and public lands.

What made you love the parks?
The feeling of solitude. And at every stage of my life, parks meant something different to me. When I was little, it was exploration — finding a new trail, a historic marker, a new bird or a rock. Then it became time alone with my dad when I was more interested in friends. It gave me time to really get to know him at every stage of his life and mine. Now I do the same thing with my kids.

Favorite thing about the Appalachian Trail?
It connects so many different communities — people not only with the trail itself and the value of hiking and time outdoors, but also with the greater value of public land.

Favorite thing to do on the trail?
Pretty simple — hike. Taking time away from the chaos and some time of peace with people you care about.

Park on your bucket list?
I’ll give you two ends of the spectrum. The parks in Alaska for vast wilderness — and Dry Tortugas in Florida for the turquoise water and great history. Very different parks, both on my list.

Three must-haves for a park visit?
Water. Snacks. And layers of clothing.

Favorite campfire activity?
I love the sound of a crackling campfire. Sitting back and listening and reflecting, as well as telling stories and visiting with the people you’re with.

Tent, camper, or cabin?
Definitely cabin now.

Hiking with or without trekking poles?
Generally without, though there is great value in them on longer hikes or more strenuous terrain.

Favorite trail snack?
Protein bars.

Best animal sighting?
Once, from a very safe distance, I watched a black bear spending a lot of time scratching her back on a tree — just watching her and how good it must have felt. That was pretty special.

Favorite sound in the park?
Quiet, broken by the sound of footsteps and birds and other rustling in the woods.

Greatest gift the parks give to us?
A sense of belonging to something greater than ourselves. That goes to the AT a lot — this collective ownership of something so special. And I think that’s true of all public lands.

Missy: I am so grateful to speak with you, to reminisce about my Appalachian Trail youth and just learn more. I can’t wait to get back on the trail. Thank you for being here.

Cinda: Thank you so much for the time. It was wonderful.

Missy: That’s it for today’s episode. Until next time — we’ll see you in the parks.

Music for The Parks Podcast is performed and produced by Porter Hardy. Follow us @TheParksPodcast or visit TheParksPodcast.com.