Just found out the Appalachian Trail only has like 20% of it actually on public land

I was reading this article from the ATC last week while planning my section hike for June. Turns out most of the trail runs through private property and the National Park Service just has easements or agreements with landowners. One bad lawsuit or angry property owner could theoretically shut down a whole section. Kinda blew my mind because I always thought it was all national park land. Has anyone else run into trail closures because of this?

2 comments

2 Comments

nina_butler9d ago

Great, so we're all just out here walking through someone's backyard hoping they don't decide to sue us. Guess I'll start bringing snacks to offer the landowners like a hiking toll booth. Next thing you'll tell me the Pacific Crest Trail is just a guy's driveway.

parker2249d ago

The hiking toll booth thing really got me, I feel the same frustration planning my trips around here.