Nature of the Appalachian Trail
Your Guide to Wildlife, Plants, and Geology
Hike the AT, and Get to Know Its Nature
The Appalachian Trail’s soaring elevations and precipitous terrain are complemented by lush vegetation, abundant wildlife, and some of the most beautiful views in the world. You can conquer part or all of the AT on foot. Along the way, immerse yourself in its nature. Leonard M. Adkins has thru-hiked the AT five times, and he has spent countless hours studying it. Now, he’s sharing his expertise with you.
Nature of the Appalachian Trail is an overview of more than 2,000 miles worth of information! There’s no need to shoulder dozens of different books in your backpack. This comprehensive naturalist’s guide includes a look at the mountains’ history, a study of the land’s geology, and detailed information about the trail’s birds, mammals, trees, flowers, reptiles, amphibians, and more.
Inside you’ll find:
- Complete overview of the entire trail
- Detailed guide to its flora and fauna
- In-depth discussion of the region’s history and geology
- Expert insights from a professional naturalist
Nature of the Appalachian Trail is your visitor’s companion to unbroken forest from Georgia to Maine. It is applicable to the states of Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Leonard M. Adkins has been intimately involved with the Appalachian Trail for several decades. He has hiked its full length five times and lacks just a few hundred miles to complete it for a sixth. He has maintained a section of the trail near McAfee Knob and was a ridgerunner for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. He has also served as an AT Natural Heritage Site Monitor, aiding the conservancy and the National Park Service in overseeing the welfare of rare and endangered plants. In addition, he has served on the boards of directors of the Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club and the Old Dominion Appalachian Trail Club. Among other long-distance trails, Leonard has completed the Continental Divide Trail from Canada to Mexico, the Pacific Northwest Trail from Glacier National Park to the Pacific Ocean, and the Pyrenees High Route along the border of France and Spain. In all, he has walked more than 20,000 miles, exploring the backcountry areas of the United States, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, and the Caribbean. Leonard is the author of 20 books on travel and the outdoors. His Wildflowers of the Appalachian Trail was presented the National Outdoor Book Award, while The Appalachian Trail: A Visitor’s Companion received the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Award. He has also written more than 200 articles for magazines such as Blue Ridge Country, Backpacker, Islands, The Roanoker, and Blue Ridge Outdoors. Along with his thru-hiking wife, Laurie, he lives in Virginia, within easy striking distance of the AT.
