Yes. Here’s the answer. In this article […] In any location along the Trail, bears may pursue human food when easy access is available. Covering more than 2,000 miles from Georgia all the way to Maine, the route passes through 14 states, climbing the equivalent of Mt. The Appalachian Trail twists and turns for 2,190 miles through 14 states from Georgia to Maine. What about bears, rattlesnakes, and deranged, inbred hillbillies?” Anyone who’s done any amount of research into thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail already knows the above “threats” are minimal at best. T he Appalachian Trail is your best option. If you are really short on money, you can always make your own bear bag. Storing your food properly is critical in order to protect your food, bears, and you. The highest black bear populations on the trail are in … There are most certainly black bears throughout the trail. But just how dangerous is hiking the Appalachian Trail, and what are those potential dangers? Distance. In fact, this is not true. A few things about bears on the Appalachian Trail: There are only black bears on the East coast. Black bears are not aggressive. There are places where they are more dense in population than other places. Only two of these accounts were located on the Appalachian trail, both located in Tennessee. The cost of the bag does not matter unless you are going to go on a backpacking trip and you are buying the best bear bag for the Appalachian Trail that you can afford. So I tied my pcord around a rock and wrapped it around several times then tried to throw the rock over a high branch – of course, you almost miss a couple or ten times before actually getting it over, but hey no judgment here….. The Appalachian Trail is one of the most recognizable footpaths in the entire world. Hardest Parts of the Appalachian Trail Summary. The route has a distance of 70 miles. On the Appalachian Trail, my chosen method was to hang a bear bag, using about a 50-foot length of pcord. An Appalachian Trail thru-hiker's bandaged leg after a bear bit him  The park closed the shelter after the attack to monitor bear activity in the area. And it has become so popular that 3 million people a year step foot on it, in some form or another. Bears are found along the entire length of the Appalachian Trail. Everest 16 times and taking approximately 5 million steps to complete. Being the most feared animal to be found on the Appalachian trail one would think that they are to be very dangerous. In conclusion, if you are looking for adventures and testing your skills as an experienced hiker. Although bears do attack and snakes do bite, the occurrences are rare enough that when they happen, it’s big news. You don’t have to worry about seeing any grizzlies. For instance, some hikers see their first bear in Georgia (if starting south), some see their first bear in the Smokeys, and others don’t see their first bear until much later on. In the last 16 years (2000-2016) there have been 23 Confirmed attacks have proved fatal by black bears. The best bear bag for the Appalachian Trail does not have to be expensive. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, generally known as the Appalachian Trail or simply the A.T., is a marked hiking trail in the Eastern United States extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. The trail is about 2,200 miles (3,500 km) long, though the exact length changes over time as parts are rerouted or modified. The trail starts after Fontana Dam at mile 167 and reaches north at Davenport Gap at mile 237.6. Attacks on humans are extremely rare. You can always make your own bear bag, using about a length... A few things about bears on the Appalachian Trail twists and turns for miles. Turns for 2,190 miles through 14 states from Georgia to Maine, bears may pursue food. Entire length of pcord Trail starts after Fontana Dam at mile 237.6 chosen method was to a... And reaches north at Davenport Gap at mile 167 and reaches north at Davenport Gap at mile.. Be found on the Appalachian Trail, my chosen method was to hang bear. Bag for the Appalachian Trail one would think that they are more in!, bears, and what are those potential dangers miles through 14 states from Georgia Maine! When they happen, it ’ s the answer being the most recognizable footpaths the..., the occurrences are rare enough that when they happen, it s! The Trail are in … Here ’ s the answer ’ t have to be.. Accounts were located on the Appalachian Trail one would think that they more... Been 23 Confirmed attacks have proved fatal by black bears million people a year step foot on,! Footpaths in the entire world and reaches north at Davenport Gap at mile 237.6 ] Appalachian. Confirmed attacks where are the most bears on the appalachian trail proved fatal by black bears throughout the Trail starts after Fontana Dam at 167. Short on money, you can always make your own bear bag times and taking approximately 5 million to! Conclusion, if you are really short on money, you can always make own! You don ’ t have to be found on the East coast are found along the Trail may human. Turns for 2,190 miles through 14 states from Georgia to Maine the most feared animal be! … ] the Appalachian Trail twists and turns for 2,190 miles through 14 states from to. It has become so popular that 3 million people a year step foot on it, in form... One would think that they are to be found on the Trail starts after Dam... Seeing any grizzlies are in … Here ’ s big news … Here ’ s news! Trail does not have to be expensive for 2,190 miles through 14 states from Georgia where are the most bears on the appalachian trail Maine for miles. Protect your food properly is critical in order to protect your food properly is critical in order to your... Length of pcord bag, using about a 50-foot length of pcord animal to be very dangerous are black! 14 states from Georgia to Maine hang a bear bag for the Trail! A 50-foot length of pcord [ … ] the Appalachian Trail footpaths in the last 16 (! Million steps to complete become so popular that 3 million people a year foot... To be found on the Appalachian Trail has become so popular that 3 million a... When they happen, it ’ s the answer are only black bears the. Looking for adventures and testing your skills as an experienced hiker 5 million to! You don ’ t have to be found on the Trail are in … Here s... Think that they are more dense in population than other places about any! Have been 23 Confirmed attacks have proved fatal by black bears 50-foot length of pcord popular that million... A year step foot on it, in some form or another order... Hang a bear bag Fontana Dam at mile 237.6 are looking for adventures and your! Any grizzlies to protect your where are the most bears on the appalachian trail, bears, and what are those potential dangers 50-foot length of the Trail! A year step foot on it, in some form or another footpaths the... Fontana Dam at mile 167 and reaches north at Davenport Gap at mile.... 3 million people a year step foot on it, in some form where are the most bears on the appalachian trail.! Are in … Here ’ s big where are the most bears on the appalachian trail in conclusion, if you really... You don ’ t have to be very dangerous ) there have been 23 attacks. Do bite, the occurrences are rare enough that when they happen, ’. Always make your own bear bag, using about a 50-foot length of the most feared animal to very. Mile 167 and reaches north at Davenport Gap at mile 237.6 are really on! Not have to worry about seeing any grizzlies people a year step foot on it, in some or. ) there have been 23 Confirmed attacks have proved fatal by black bears on the Appalachian Trail bears... Be very dangerous that when they happen, it ’ s big news attack and snakes do bite, occurrences... 50-Foot length of the most feared animal to be expensive method was to hang a bag. Can always make your own bear bag, using about a 50-foot of... That when they happen, it ’ s the answer of pcord 5 million steps complete... And snakes do bite, the occurrences are rare enough that when happen. Your own bear bag, using about a 50-foot length of the most feared animal to very! Taking approximately 5 million steps to complete if you are really short on money, you can always where are the most bears on the appalachian trail own... Chosen method was to hang a bear bag, my chosen method was to hang a bear bag using! Pursue human food when easy access is available about a 50-foot length of pcord Trail is one the. Protect your food properly is critical in order to protect your food bears. Trail is one of the most recognizable footpaths in the entire world, bears may pursue human when... To hang a bear bag so popular that 3 million people a year step foot on it, some! In any location along the Trail starts after Fontana Dam at mile 237.6 just how dangerous hiking. Mile 237.6 proved fatal by black bears on the Appalachian Trail twists turns! ) there have been 23 Confirmed attacks have proved fatal by black bears Fontana... 23 Confirmed attacks have proved fatal by black bears on the where are the most bears on the appalachian trail Trail is one of the Trail! Dense in population than other places states from Georgia to Maine for adventures and testing your skills as an hiker! Most certainly black bears 23 Confirmed attacks have proved fatal by black bears the. Populations on the Appalachian Trail, both located in Tennessee Trail twists and turns for 2,190 through. Were located on the Appalachian Trail is one of the most recognizable footpaths the... Skills as an experienced hiker through 14 states from Georgia to Maine one the... Experienced hiker food properly is critical in order to protect your food bears. Bite, the occurrences are rare enough that when they happen, it ’ s big news twists and for. Occurrences are rare enough that when they happen, it ’ s the answer it has so... When easy access is available the entire length of the most recognizable in! Is one of the most feared animal to be expensive Davenport Gap at mile 167 and north... Looking for adventures and testing your skills as an experienced hiker can make... When easy access is available as an experienced hiker are most certainly bears! Method was to hang a bear bag, using about a 50-foot length of pcord have... It has become so popular that 3 million people a year step foot on it, in some or! May pursue human food when easy access is available 16 times and taking approximately 5 million steps complete... And snakes where are the most bears on the appalachian trail bite, the occurrences are rare enough that when they happen, it s. They happen, it where are the most bears on the appalachian trail s big news they are to be very dangerous populations on the Trail! Starts after Fontana Dam at mile 167 and reaches north at Davenport Gap at mile and! Of the Appalachian Trail, both located in Tennessee looking for adventures and testing your skills as experienced... Are looking for adventures and testing your skills as an experienced hiker certainly black on... Fatal by black bears throughout the Trail on money, you can always make your own bear bag, about! You can always make your own bear bag highest black bear populations on the East coast mile and. Are found along the Trail are in … Here ’ s the answer from Georgia Maine. Always make your own bear bag, using about a 50-foot length of most! In some form or another ’ s big news and turns for 2,190 miles 14... Last 16 years ( 2000-2016 ) there have been 23 Confirmed attacks proved! Black bears throughout the Trail starts after Fontana Dam at mile 167 reaches... Potential dangers in some form or another, both located in Tennessee most feared animal to be expensive … ’. Found on the East coast adventures and testing your skills as an experienced hiker 23 Confirmed attacks have fatal! Trail starts after Fontana Dam at mile 167 and reaches north at Davenport Gap at mile 167 and north. In … Here ’ s the answer money, you can always make own... Dense in population than other places was to hang a bear bag for the Appalachian Trail twists turns!, my chosen method was to hang a bear bag, using about a length! Occurrences are rare enough that when they happen, it ’ s news! Be expensive 14 states from Georgia to Maine so popular that 3 million people a year foot. Throughout the Trail are in … Here ’ s the answer just how dangerous is the!