The Appalachian Trail Conference. All rights reserved. Eight to ten miles a day is a good rule of thumb for novice hikers on moderate terrain.
Lower mileage is recommended for challenging terrain.
For longer trips, allow at least one zero-mileage day a week for rest and resupply. Shelters, Camping, and Other Accommodations along the A.T. Primitive shelters, designated campsites, and dispersed backcountry camping, mountain huts, hostels, and cabins are among your options when planning a hike. Know where they are. Don't forget to plan for water. Though plentiful in some sections of the Trail, water can become scarce in a dry season or along an isolated ridge.