The Appalachian Trail is one of America's great success stories and an amazing outdoor legacy. The 2,179-mile trail runs the length of the country, from Georgia to Maine, crossing through some of the country's most scenic landscapes—from mountains to forests to untouched wilderness. Conceived and created by private citizens, the trail is a privately managed part of the national park system and is still maintained by volunteers.

The Conservation Fund has worked to conserve land in several states to protect public access to the trail and to ensure that future generations will be able to experience the trail as we do today. 

The Appalachian Trail in Vermont: Killington Section

The Fund helped the National Park Service acquire more than 600 acres near the Killington Section of the Appalachian Trail in Vermont. Located in the heart of a large undeveloped forested area known as Chateauguay-No Town, the acquired tract creates a protective buffer against development along a one mile stretch of the Trail. The property also connects state-owned Les Newell Wildlife Management Area with several privately-owned conservation lands to create a core area of protected lands encompassing more than 9,000 acres.

An estimated 1,500 hikers currently use this section of the Appalachian Trail each year, including approximately 500 thru-hikers.

In Vermont, the Appalachian Trail joins the historic Long Trail as it follows the ridgelines through the Green Mountain National Forest. In the central part of the state, the trail leaves the National Forest, separates from the historic Long Trail at Killington and bears east in a narrow corridor through the Green Mountains and the Chateauguay-No Town toward the New Hampshire border.

The Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire: Mahoosuc Mountain Range

The Mahoosuc Mountains spread across New Hampshire and Maine, offering a rich forestland as well as some of the most picturesque and rugged sections of the Appalachian Trail.

In 2010, we assisted the National Park Service in conserving 4,777 acres of forestland in Success Township. The property was added to the Mahoosuc Mountain Range section of the Appalachian Trail, linking previously conserved properties and ensuring continued public access through historic side trails.

Some of the Appalachian Trail’s most rugged passages can be found in this area including the section referred to as the “toughest mile.” This famed corridor is now protected for six miles along the crest of Mahoosucs. Also protected are two prominent peaks, Bald Cap and North Bald Cap, and the famous Outlook, known for its stunning views.  The property will be managed by the White Mountain National Forest, maintaining public access, including traditional uses of hunting and fishing.

This addition to the Appalachian Trail continues our work from 2008 when we partnered with local communities, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Appalachian Mountain Club and the National Park Service to purchase Bald Cap Peak, 1,200 acres of forests and scenic lands bordering the trail. These acres are now are protected with a conservation easement.

Photos: North Bald Cap Mountain (bottom) courtesy Bill Duffy.

The Appalachian Trail in Tennessee: ‘The Valley Beautiful’

Known as "The Valley Beautiful," Unicoi County includes a 10,000-acre property known as Rocky Fork—a mountain haven of forests and streams with more than a mile of Appalachian Trail. The county recently was recognized as an “Appalachian Trail Community” and tourist destination by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy—the first such designation in Tennessee and one of only four along the trail.

This special recognition is a great example of how the Fund's work creates lasting results. We know that conservation solutions last when they make economic sense. We’ve been working for years to conserve Rocky Fork as a popular recreation destination for residents and visitors to enjoy. Inspired to make sustainable tourism a stronger part of the local economy, Unicoi County leaders invited our Conservation Leadership Network to conduct an on-site three-day workshop on Balancing Nature and Commerce in Communities that Neighbor Public Lands. We trained more than 60 community leaders and residents.

The workshop raised awareness of Unicoi County's natural assets, community character and quality of life. It also provided strategies to help the community’s business leaders in their efforts to grow sustainable tourism. As a result, community leaders and residents are making fast progress in attracting visitors to the county—and improving their experience once they arrive. The community has opened a farmers market, artisans are awaiting the opening of a new center for selling local wares and a design board now reviews the plans of future businesses to ensure that the character of the community stays intact.

Now Unicoi County can also call itself an Appalachian Trail Community. With an economy that increasingly is tied to tourism, the county can ensure hikers along the Appalachian Trail will experience the natural beauty of “The Valley Beautiful."