Appalachian Trail

Throughout the length of the trail there are various free shelters available for hikers. The shelters are generally three wall structures often with a wooden floor. Some shelters are much more complex in structure; however, for the most part function opposed to form is the focus in their construction. There is no official distance that the shelters are spaced, but the general idea is to keep near water sources and about a day's hike apart.

Trail Towns

The trail crosses many roads, and thus it provides ample opportunity for hikers to hitchhike into town in order to resupply on food and various other items. Many trail towns are accustomed to having hikers passing through, and thus many have various hostels and hiker oriented accomidations. Some of the most well known trail towns are Monson, Maine , Damascus, Virginia , Harpers Ferry, West Virginia , and Hot Springs, North Carolina.