07/12/2026
The 10 Main Reasons People Through-Hike the Appalachian Trail
In the 10+ years that I have hosted hikers intending to complete the Appalachian Trail in one fell swoop, A.K.A. Thru-hikers, I have come to determine that they fall in one (or two) main categories… eight of which are transitional:
Taking a gap year between high school and college
Between college and career
Between military and civilianship
Between careers, whether wanted or unwanted
Because of a death
Divorce
Retirement
Recovery, from substance or a traumatic condition or event
And then there are the “other two:”
It was on their Bucket List
And…
Just because…
Many people are in more than one category: Bucket List and one of the transitions where they are trying to figure out their next step in life
Number ten is the lone outlier with very few hiking for that reason. In fact, I’ve only met one hiker who wasn’t at a transitional point in her life, nor was it in the back of her mind. She decided to hike the Appalachian Trail “just because” and that works just fine.
Remember it's the smiles with the miles! 😉
