Distance Calculator Appalachian Trail

Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike Planner

Plan your Appalachian Trail thru-hike or section hike with this simple calculator. Estimate your total trip duration and target end date based on your planned daily mileage and rest days.

function calculateATPlan() { var startDateInput = document.getElementById('startDate').value; var avgMilesPerDayInput = document.getElementById('avgMilesPerDay').value; var zeroDaysInput = document.getElementById('zeroDays').value; var totalATLengthInput = document.getElementById('totalATLength').value; var resultDiv = document.getElementById('atResult'); resultDiv.innerHTML = "; // Clear previous results // Input validation if (!startDateInput) { resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Please enter a valid Start Date.'; return; } var avgDailyMiles = parseFloat(avgMilesPerDayInput); if (isNaN(avgDailyMiles) || avgDailyMiles <= 0) { resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Please enter a valid number for Average Miles Per Hiking Day (must be greater than 0).'; return; } var numZeroDays = parseFloat(zeroDaysInput); if (isNaN(numZeroDays) || numZeroDays < 0) { resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Please enter a valid number for Zero Days (cannot be negative).'; return; } var totalMiles = parseFloat(totalATLengthInput); if (isNaN(totalMiles) || totalMiles <= 0) { resultDiv.innerHTML = 'Please enter a valid number for Total AT Length (must be greater than 0).'; return; } var startDt = new Date(startDateInput); if (isNaN(startDt.getTime())) { // Check for "Invalid Date" resultDiv.innerHTML = 'The entered Start Date is invalid. Please use a YYYY-MM-DD format.'; return; } // Calculations var hikingDays = totalMiles / avgDailyMiles; var totalTripDurationDays = Math.round(hikingDays + numZeroDays); // Round total days for date calculation var estimatedEndDate = new Date(startDt); estimatedEndDate.setDate(startDt.getDate() + totalTripDurationDays); // Format end date for display var options = { year: 'numeric', month: 'long', day: 'numeric' }; var formattedEndDate = estimatedEndDate.toLocaleDateString('en-US', options); // Display results var output = '

Your Estimated Appalachian Trail Plan:

'; output += 'Total Hiking Days: ' + Math.ceil(hikingDays).toFixed(0) + ' days'; output += 'Total Trip Duration (including Zero Days): ' + totalTripDurationDays + ' days'; output += 'Estimated End Date: ' + formattedEndDate + "; resultDiv.innerHTML = output; }

Understanding Your Appalachian Trail Plan

Thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT) is an incredible journey, typically spanning 2,198 miles from Springer Mountain, Georgia, to Mount Katahdin, Maine. Planning is crucial for a successful hike, and understanding your pace and rest days is key to estimating your completion time.

Key Factors in Your AT Plan:

• Start Date: Most northbound (NOBO) thru-hikers begin in March or April to hit optimal weather windows. Southbound (SOBO) hikers often start in June or July.
• Average Miles Per Hiking Day: This is your daily average when you are actively hiking. Beginners might start around 8-10 miles per day and gradually increase to 15-20 miles. Experienced hikers can maintain higher averages. Remember, terrain varies greatly, and some sections are much slower than others.
• Number of Zero Days: "Zero days" are full rest days where you hike zero miles. These are essential for recovery, resupply, laundry, and enjoying trail towns. Most thru-hikers take between 30-60 zero days over the course of their journey. Don't underestimate their importance!
• Total AT Length: The official length of the Appalachian Trail can vary slightly year to year due to re-routes and maintenance, but it generally hovers around 2,198 miles. You can adjust this value if you are planning a section hike or if the official length changes.

How to Use This Calculator:

1. Enter your desired Start Date: Consider weather patterns and your personal schedule.
2. Input your Average Miles Per Hiking Day: Be realistic! If you're new to backpacking, start with a lower estimate. You can always adjust as you gain trail legs.
3. Estimate your Number of Zero Days: Think about how often you'll want to rest, visit towns, or handle unexpected delays.
4. Click 'Calculate Plan': The calculator will provide an estimated total hiking duration and your projected end date.

Realistic Expectations:

A typical AT thru-hike takes 5 to 7 months. This calculator provides an estimate, but the trail is unpredictable. Weather, injuries, trail magic, and spontaneous adventures can all impact your schedule. Use this tool as a guide, but be prepared to adapt!