(For some online maps, click here.)
The Trail is divided up into 11 sections in terms of what's available as far as guidebooks and maps: Maine (1996), NH-VT (2001), CT-MA (2000), NY-NJ (1998), PA (1998), MD-Northern VA (2000), Shenandoah Park (1999), Central VA (2001), Southwest VA (1998), NC-TN (1995), and NC-GA (1998). (The numbers in parentheses indicate the year of publication of the most recent edition.) The last two books both include the part of the Trail that goes through the Smoky Mountains. Each guidebook comes with the maps for that section. In most cases, you will also be able to buy the maps separately from the guidebooks. For full details, request a catalog from the ATC, PO Box 807, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425. If you are planning to do a thru-hike, you may want to take advantage of the special for ATC members that runs every year just before Xmas when you can acquire the whole 11 volume series + the Data Book for something on the order of $150. The Data Book lists the mileage of the whole Trail at road-crossings, shelters, water sources and other major points along the Trail.
There is now a toll-free number for ordering books and other items from the A.T. Ultimate Trail Store: 888-AT-STORE - and - as of September 30, 1997 you can order them online through the Trail Store.
Various videos and audio cassettes are available from the ATC.
Books and maps for the portion of the Trail the clubs are responsible for are also available from the maintaining clubs themselves. Here are some descriptions of the guidebooks and maps that the the Potomac A.T. Club puts out.
There are a growing number of books written to help people prepare for thru-hiking the Trail, along with some other books for the long-term or thru-hiker that give you the low-down on what's out there along the Trail, what you'll find in various towns along the way, P.O. hours, etc. One of these is the Appalachian Trail Companion, published by the ATC and ALDHA. Another is Wingfoot's Thru-Hiker's Handbook. Both of these are an outgrowth of a book which was called The Philosopher's Guide. (Wingfoot is no longer associated with producing the handbook.) There is a new publication on the scene as of 2008 which is now (2010) called the A.T. Guide, A Handbook for Hiking the Appalachian Trail. (Formerly called Appalachian Pages.)
Here is some information about some other A.T. related books, as well as some National Geographic articles.
And here are some maps that are available online.
You may also contact the ATC through email. If you do, please include your postal address.
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