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Flying To Hike: Five Airports Close to the Appalachian Trail

You do not have to cover all 2,194 miles to make the trip worthwhile.

A Piper Cub at Sugarloaf Regional Airport in Carrabassett, Maine. [Shutterstock]
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Key Takeaways:

  • The Appalachian Trail (AT) is a nearly 2,200-mile long-distance hiking route spanning 14 states, celebrated for its natural splendor, historical significance, and challenging terrain, appealing to both thru-hikers and day-trippers.
  • Hikers undertake the AT for various reasons, including escaping daily routines, seeking personal challenges, or simply experiencing sections for a day or two.
  • The trail is notably lined with general aviation airports, providing pilots with convenient access to trailheads, as illustrated by examples like Sugarloaf Regional and Lebanon Municipal airports.
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Hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT) between Georgia and Maine, a total of almost 2,200 miles through 14 states, has long been a “bucket list” item for many people. Those who end up actually making the trip do so for a variety of reasons.

For some, the attraction lies in escaping from their everyday routines for five to seven months— the average time it takes someone to hike the full distance. Others just want to see if they can do it—or perhaps if they can do it in record time. But regardless of your motivation, the trail is worth visiting for its natural splendor, historical waypoints, and challenging terrain. And, a section of the trail can provide a great hiking experience for even just a day or two.

Jonathan Welsh

Jonathan Welsh is Lead Editor of Aviation Consumer and a private pilot who worked as a reporter, editor and columnist with the Wall Street Journal for 21 years, mostly covering the auto industry. His passion for aviation began in childhood with balsa-wood gliders his aunt would buy for him at the corner store. Follow Jonathan on Twitter @JonathanWelsh4

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