A favorite of section-hikers and dreamers for 30 years, the Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers’ Companion features professionally crafted elevation profiles covering about 23 miles at a time, detailed maps, and comprehensive tables for more at-a-glance information on-trail. Updated annually by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association, this guide is designed especially for thru-hikers who want the basic information for a five- to six-month trek in the woods, at a reasonable price, but who also want the adventure of finding out the extras for themselves.
Still the only such guide written by volunteers, the Companion is fact-checked by more than three dozen thru-hikers in 14 states and the information is backed by the first-hand knowledge of the trail’s volunteer and staff maintainers and managers and informed by the 2023 A.T. Data Book. Equipment-makers’ toll-free numbers, post office hours, and much more are included. All proceeds from the sale of this guide are returned to the trail by the ATC and ALDHA.
Professional elevation profiles show hikers dips and climbs of the day ahead
Landmark-by-landmark tables for at-a-glance information by section
Town maps showing food and lodging (and beer)