The Appalachian Trail (“the AT”) is one of the world’s great long-distance footpaths — a continuous hiking trail running about 2,190 miles from Georgia (Springer Mountain) to Maine (Mount Katahdin) through the Appalachian Mountains.  It passes through 14 states and is managed by the National Park Service, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and dozens of local trail clubs. 

In Harper’s Ferry, we were walking with hikers as they crossed the bridge, which is considered the psychological halfway point of the trail.  In addition, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s headquarters is located there.

The entire trail is really a hike — but for many people it becomes a kind of journey in simplicity because everything is on your back, you sleep in shelters or tents, and the ‘road signs’ are merely ‘white blazes’ painted on trees and rocks.  For many, it is one of those ‘bucket list’ experiences.

This is at least the third time we have walked a portion of the trail. We will never hike all of it, but walking only a few miles on the AT gives a taste of something really meaningful — part nature, part endurance challenge, part community, and part pilgrimage. 

One of the unique things about Harper’s Ferry National Historical Park is that it is a major crossroads for several of America’s trail systems. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, and the American Discovery Trail all meet here in Harpers Ferry.  This place really is less a single historic site and more an entire landscape where history, rivers, mountains, and trails all come together.