AT Approach Trail

The Appalachian Trail Approach Trail connects Amicalola Falls State Park to Springer Mountain—the southern terminus of the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail—via 8.5 miles of demanding Blue Ridge terrain rising 3,500 feet in net elevation gain. The route begins at the park's iconic Approach Trail arch and immediately begins climbing, winding through the southern Blue Ridge foothills over a series of increasingly rugged ridges before reaching the Springer Mountain summit at 3,782 feet.

The trail passes through a complete succession of southern Appalachian forest communities: mixed hardwood at lower elevations gives way to chestnut oak and mountain laurel on mid-elevation ridges, and finally to wind-stunted oak and blueberry heath on the exposed upper ridge approaching Springer. The final summit push crosses several granite outcrops that provide views across the continuous forested ridges of the Chattahoochee National Forest. At Springer's summit, the AT bronze plaque marks the southern terminus—one of American hiking's most meaningful destinations. The point-to-point route requires shuttle transportation between the park and Springer Mountain trailhead, or a grueling return descent. Approximately 3,000 to 4,000 northbound thru-hikers begin here each spring.