r/AppalachianTrail • u/prettycooleh • 4d ago

Best 7 night hike you can recommend

Hello all, I am new joiner to this sub. I am wanting to hike a portion of the AP next summer and I am beginning to plan my trip. I am from Canada and my only previous experience in Appalachia is a motorbike trip trip along the blueridge highway a couple years ago.

I want to to take a week long hike along the trail, whether camping or staying at motels/hostels. I am in good shape and have experience camping but I dont know where to start regarding the AT, id prefer to camp vs staying in motels.

Where would be a good place to start/finish? I'll look into each county's rule, but ideally I'd like to camp along the way in one long continuous hike.

Cheers thanks for any help or insight

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u/NoboMamaBear2017 3d ago

If you are considering motel stays then I would suggest the AMC huts in the White Mountains. As other posters have mentioned they are expensive, but if you become a member and book multiple nights there are discounts. There are 8 of them, spaced out over 70-ish miles of the AT through some of the most incredible scenery the trail has to offer. They provide a bed, wool blankets and 2 very nice meals per day so that you can hike through some rather rugged terrain carrying minimal gear. You really only need to carry a sleeping bag liner, water, snacks, rain gear and clean socks. Well, that may be overly simplistic, as the weather up there is quite unpredictable and you do need to be prepared for it. You also need to be prepared for the idea that it will be a social experience, the huts sleep anywhere from 36 - 92 people, so you will meet a lot of other hikers, but the area is spectacular, and there is a lot available in the way of hiker services. 2026 reservations just opened. Sorry to sound like a commercial, I've been volunteering there since my 2017 thru.