The Appalachian Trail is more than just a hiking place, it’s a living being. Everywhere you look, you will see a wide range of plants, trees and wildlife, as well as campsites, hostels, rivers, creeks, waterfalls and streams. The Trail is alive with movement. Fish swim in the waters, as do turtles, muskrat and beaver. Chipmunks and squirrels scurry through patches of wildflowers. Greens of every hue are painted across the landscape. Hundreds of species of birds splash the air with color, while eagles soar on the wind currents.

Hikers have dubbed the Appalachian Trail, "the long green tunnel," because of the diversity of plants, trees and shrubs growing along the path. Everything is green.

The Appalachian Trail is not an easy hike. Only about ten percent of those who begin the hike actually go its entire length. The Trail can be hiked in all four seasons and each brings new wonders to the eye of the hiker. It’s awesome at all times of the year.

There’s no rhyme or reason to who can or can’t hike the entire Trail. A blind man has hiked the entire length, as has an eight year old child. Senior citizens diabetics and a man with MS have successfully made the trek. All you need is a great deal of determination.

Every moment you’re on the Trail, brings a sense of wonder, as well as a sense and tranquility. Your soul is at peace in this marvelous world of nature. There’s no place on Earth that brings you so close to your creator. Make the experience whatever you’d like it to be.

Hike the blue blaze and the white blaze trail, but be sure you don’t get caught on blue trails that are impossible for you to hike. This can mean re-tracing your steps, though the wonders that unfold before your eyes are worth the extra hike.

Set your pace. Whether it’s ten or twenty miles a day, you want to take in all the beauty along the way. Stop to take in panoramic views that will leave you breathless. If your group wants to hike twenty miles a day and you are a fifteen mile a day hiker, then it’s your decision of whether to try and keep up or to hike at your own pace. One rule of thumb here; don’t influence other hikers to press themselves over their limit. Each hiker needs to stay in his own comfort zone.

The Trail gives you time to access your inner being and find out where you are and where you fit into the scheme of things in the world. It can change your way of thinking, your outlook on life, your personality and your life goals. It can make you stronger, not only bodily, but spiritually. The Trail can help you become a happy individual.

There are a few places where you will run into a dangerous situation while hiking the Trail. There are rock walls in the Whites and some stream crossings can present hazards, but the most dangerous places you will encounter are railroad crossings, shelters and towns. In other words, anywhere you come into contact with humans. The best advice that you can heed is to use caution and common sense. The crime rate on the Trail is almost nil, outside of villages and towns.

The animals along the Trail don’t really bother hikers. As long as you don’t corner them or get between them and their young, you’re fairly safe. Try to avoid skunks at all costs. They may look cute, but they can end your hike quickly. Most animals come into campsites looking for food, so take proper precautions and don’t leave food setting out.

Realistically if you want to hike the entire Trail, it will take you four to six months. If you don’t have this amount of time, be sure to hike sections of the trail. Though the time may be shorter, the experience is just as awesome. Whatever choice you make, the Trail will be the most awesome experience of your life.