Forgive a complete newbie for asking probably a seriously dumb question, but oh well.
My goal is to hike part of the AT next summer. I can only take at max, two weeks off of work. Is that even worth it? Chances are I would only be able to really hike 10 of those days, meaning I’d get maybe 100 miles of the trail. What are some distances that you all have hiked?
Maybe someone has a great book or site that can lead me into the right direction with some basic questions like this.
Thanks.
Chrissy
I live near the Poconos in PA, so my guess is I’d hike through the Delware Water Gap. Perhaps starting in NY? Not exactly sure where to start. I’ve heard good things and bad things about hiking through the Gap. I’m in pretty good shape and do a lot of day hikes, but haven’t done anything overnight yet. Thanks.
Chrissy
are the way my husband and I started. Living in FL we would drive to GA and then we started heading north. We picked up @100 miles every year. Then we jumped up to Grayson Highlands for a loop hike on the AT and old AT, then we jumped up and hiked from Munson to ABol on another hike. It’s all pretty. Shuttles can get costly but what can you do. Sue/HH
Hammock Hanger
The 107 miles through SNP is a nice trip, which you could do in 10 days. Hike from Waynesboro to Front Royal.
There are a lot of good ten day stretches. And yes, anytime you can get on a trail is a good time. Doesn’t matter whether it’s a day, a week, a month or six – just go do it.
Ginny
You can do almost all of PA in two weeks, but do it when other hikers are out there, otherwise it’ll get lonely.
Also, consider the Waynesboro to Front Royal or even Waynesboro to Harper’s Ferry.
Of course other sections are more interesting or dramatic but those two are great for just starting out.
Blip
Chrissy, I have done a section the last three years, beginning at Springer Mountain in Georgia in 2002, and finally ending at Partnership Shelter in Virginia this year, finishing about six weeks ago. I started at the southern end of the trail so I can go each year and just do the next part. You might enjoy reading my journals to get a feel for what it’s like to do a section each year. I went for two weeks each time, hiking about 14 days each, with one zero day. At the end of my 2003 journal is an entry with a list of my gear and food that could be helpful. On trailjournals.com, if you get to the list of journals for each year, my trail name is CBiscuit. Or you can find my 2002 journal directly at www.trailjournals.com/davepaumen , and then switch to the 2003 and 2004 journals from there. I like to talk about hiking and my trips, so feel free to email or whatever if you have questions. PS. There are about 150 pictures in each of my journals also. Either way, I hope you have a great hike.
CBiscuit
Since you have the extra time,try going a little furthur from home.You can do all of P.A.and N.J.in weekend trips.Oo
Onlyone
Chrissy,
Why don’t you start at the Water Gap and hike north. Its just over 100 miles to Bear Mtn NY. There is public transportation at both ends and easy vehicle entry so it should be easy starting and ending points.
Starting at the PA/JERSEY border you’ll have gradual/easy terrain slowly building up to some tougher walking once you hit the NY border. By that point you’ll be in decent trail shape. It should be perfect for the amount of time you have.
Jersey is one of the least talked about pretty sections on the trail and Harriman Park in NY is a gem in my opinion. You could even tool around some side trails in the park if you finish early. Many thru-hikers hate NY because they are pushing miles but at 10-12 miles a day it is a fantastic section with a suprising amount of wildlife.
Personally I wouldn’t want to be broken into the AT on a Pennsylvania section, but thats just me. 
Enjoy
A-Train
Wow, thank you everybody for your great advice, and CBiscuit, I will check out your journals. You all are GREAT! Can’t wait to get the planning started!
Chrissy
Long live the short-distance section hikers, like myself :lol. Chrissy, there are tons of exciting section hikes you could do along the AT. I would check out some journals to plan your trip. I enjoyed my hike though the Smokies, which is about 72 miles long. There’s also Damascus heading north which is really nice as well. Good luck!
guru
Chrissy:
what you want to do is called “Section-hiking”…& YES, it IS worth it…everyminute of it!
I can only take off 2 or 3 weeks a year for hiking too…& i section hike about 120 miles (give or take a few) a year & i LOVE every step of the way…(i always say…i’m section hiking the A.T. “on-the-20-year-plan!”)
100 miles is a good chuck…you could find a good starting point & look up (A.T.Data book)a point to jump off a main road or Forest service road.
good luck & happy hikin’!
see ya’ll UP the trail…
Jaybird