Appalachian Trail: The country roads that lead to ‘almost heaven’

Hiking along the Appalachian Trail in West Virginia can feel heavenly, as here at the Loudoun Heights lookout point. Photos: Lee Meng Lai

The Appalachian Trail, or simply the AT, in the eastern United States is claimed as the longest hiking-only trail in the world.

It is 3,504km in length and passes through 14 US states, from Maine in the north to Georgia in the south. It runs along the Appalachian Mountains system which includes sub-ranges such as the White Mountains, Great Smoky Mountains and... Blue Ridge Mountains.