The Appalachian Trail, given its ever-increasing popularity over the past weeks, is no longer a viable space to practice social distancing.
The U.S. Forest Service in conjunction with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy has temporarily shut down trailhead facilities and other access points until further notice in the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests in NC, including: Max Patch, Lovers Leap and Roan Mountain/Carvers Gap in Pisgah, and Wayah Bald and Cheoah Bald in Nantahala National Forest.
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy has advised that no one begin a thru-hike. Those who have started should leave the trail immediately because all shelters along the 2,190-mile trail are closed. Ridgerunners have been pulled from the trail, and most hostels, hotels, stores, and restaurants in trails towns are closed.
More details at wildeast.appalachiantrail.org.
