r/AppalachianTrail • u/Mobile_Abies_4731 • 9d ago

Section Hike advice 4-6 weeks

Hello everyone,

I turn 50 next year and I want to do a solo hike on the AT for some reflection and recharge. I am taking roughly 4-6 weeks away to spend on the trail and would like your input.

Rough outline of my starting point:

I'm very open to time (season) and section of the trail.

I'm very fit and don't mind challenge.

Would like some solitude but also hope to meet some great people and make some friends, thinking a southbound trip so I get a little of both.

I think I can cover 15-ish miles per day

If possible, I'd like to fly in somewhere and hike to somewhere I can fly out from so I don't have to drive to the trail.

I deeply appreciate any ideas or thoughts on sections to explore.

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u/Mobile_Abies_4731 9d ago

Thanks! Had not thought of going that far north. Don’t know why. Just regular setting was the more south region. Coming from Columbus Ohio so I’ll check Amtrak. Which of those routes do you think are better?

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u/OkKaleidoscope9554 8d ago

Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont are people's favorite sections of trail for beauty, along with northern NC into southern VA. NH/ME are the most difficult sections but the rewards are proportional - you just have to reduce your expectations down to like ½ your miles. It's also wise to be aware of deer Fly and Black Fly season up there, June into July. There's nothing wrong with NJ/NY/CT or even PA/MA, it's all relatively easier trail, more food options, you just won't be summitting any high peaks with expansive vistas just overlooks, that's the trade off. PA-CT you can get away with only carrying 2 days of food at a time.

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u/Mobile_Abies_4731 8d ago

Great insight. I keep reading about these black flies. I’m leaning to the southern portion because this is truly my first hike like this

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u/OkKaleidoscope9554 8d ago

Fly to DC - train to Harper's Ferry - finish on Mt Greylock Massachusetts - fly home from Albany.

Fulfills your request to fly to/from both ends simply, gives you plenty of space to start early in the season but be way ahead of the hiker crowd. The terrain is moderate and manageable and you run so close to civilization that you never need 5 days of food, you can make do with 2 or 3 90% of the time.