Last Updated on November 8, 2022 by mountainswithmegan
Isn’t it Dangerous?
What a familiar phrase. Anytime I plan any sort of hiking adventure, international travels, or road trip it seems like there’s always a handful of people who want to question my sanity. However, it’s really not as scary as it may seem. Here we’ll cover the potential dangers of the Appalachian Trail and how to avoid them.
I remember when I was first starting out hiking, and people close to me would grill me on every possible danger on the Appalachian Trail they could possibly think of. There was already a part of me that was scared to do what I was about to do, and loved ones trying to chip away at my confidence did nothing to help the situation.
So, I’m writing this post about the dangers of the Appalachian Trail and how to stay safe, not because I think you’re in danger or I want to fear-monger potential hikers. I’m writing this to show support to all you newbie hikers who have doubts filling your heads and want literally anything to say to your family and friends to make them shut up.
Dangers of the Appalachian Trail
Creepy People in the Woods
Threat level: LOW
This is a big concern for the family members of hikers. After all, every redneck murder movie takes place in the woods. However, murders are incredibly uncommon on the Appalachian Trail when you think about the millions of people who set foot on it every year.
I think women especially have concerns about hiking solo, particularly in regards to running into men they don’t know while we’re hiking all alone. Don’t get me wrong, there’s definitely been times when I’ve been sexually harassed on the Appalachian Trail and that sucks. But I’ve never felt like I was going to be the victim of a violent crime.
How to Stay Safe
- Keep some pepper spray in the hip belt pocket of your backpack. I’ve never had to use mine, but it does give me peace of mind while I’m hiking or traveling solo.
- Take additional precautions when hitch-hiking into town. It’s OK to say no to a ride if you have a bad feeling about it.
- Men, please be mindful of how you might come across to solo women. Even if you have nice intentions, you don’t know how particular women might feel about being approached. Don’t follow along with any solo hikers unless you’re confident that they want your company. I’m not saying avoid women all together; many women might be happy for the company. Try to be aware of body language, giving personal space, and how they’re responding to you.
Bears, Coyotes, Poisonous Snakes
Threat level: LOW
You will likely encounter bears and snakes, and probably hear a pack of coyotes. However, these animals have no interest in being around you.
A black bear won’t attack you for your food. More likely they will wait until you’re sleeping and try to get to your food bag you hung in a tree. Coyotes don’t want to get close to you either. Snakes are probably the least scared of you. You might see a Rattle Snake or Copper Head on the trail, and it will take it’s sweet time moving along. Or it might just curl up and stay where it is.
How to Stay Safe
- Give animals space. If you see a bear or snake, back off and let it be. When I did my Wilderness First Responder certification, my instructor told us that most snake bites happen to intoxicated young men. Don’t be that person who tries to pick up a snake. Additionally, photos are not a priority when you spot an animal.
- Utilize the bear boxes and bear hangs at the shelters. If a bear comes sniffing around at night, you don’t want your food near.
- Be aware of your surroundings in regions with high bear and snake populations. I would even say, don’t listen to headphones in New Jersey where there’s lots of bears or Pennsylvania where there’s lots of rattlesnakes. You want to be able to hear. I once almost stepped on a rattlesnake because I was listening to music and couldn’t hear it rattling.
Ticks, Spiders, Waterborne Pathogens, Norovirus, and other small but harmful organisms.
Threat Level: MEDIUM TO HIGH
Bugs and creepy crawlers are a fact of life on the Appalachian Trail. You’ll have gnats swarming your face, mosquitos biting your legs, spiders creeping around while you sleep.
You’re probably going to get bitten by bugs and maybe pick up a virus or two. Worst case scenario, you might get Lyme Disease or giardia. The thing about tiny bugs and organisms is that it’s really difficult to stop them from their parasitic ways.
You can spray yourself with bug spray to keep ticks and mosquitos away, but covering your skin in chemicals and not being able to wash it off is probably bad for you too.
How to Stay Safe
- I recommend using something to treat your drinking water such as a filter, Steripen, or purifying drops. This will reduce the likelihood of getting sick from the water.
- Use a natural bug repellant, like something citronella based. This way you don’t have to douse yourself in chemicals, and it smells good too.
- Do a tick check every night before bed. Just sweep your hands through your hair and over your body. Lyme disease is a real danger in many regions along the Appalachian Trail. Contracting Lyme disease is unlikely if you find the tick early.
- It’s always helpful to keep a few Benadryl on hand in case you have an allergic reaction to a spider bite or anything else.
Getting Lost in the Woods
Threat level: LOW TO MEDIUM
Once you’re in the woods, every thing sort of looks the same and it’s difficult to get your bearings in relation to anything. If you hike off of the trail a great distance, you could very easily get lost.
Luckily, the AT is well marked for the entire way, so if you stick to the footpath there isn’t much of a risk. You will go off the trail a short ways to camp and pee. Most campsites are not very far off of the trail or they are on a side trail. I did find that I got confused while leaving the trail to pee, so I always left my pack beside the trail. It was brightly colored and easy to spot.
How to Stay Safe
- Be aware of your surroundings. Don’t go really far off of the trail. It’s not Leave No Trace anyway if you’re walking around off the trail.
- Many backpacks have a safety whistle built in on the clip of the sternum strap. Take a look at your pack and see if you have one. Be aware of this feature if you ever do get lost.
- Download the trail maps to your phone. It’s not an ideal way to navigate back to safety, but it’s better than nothing.
Getting Injured and Being All Alone
Threat level: ZERO TO LOW
Getting injured in the backcountry means that you likely have to hike out to a road to get help or wait for rescuers if it’s a big injury. A common fear is getting injured, not having cell service, and being alone without help. However, there will always be someone behind you on the trail, and you probably won’t have to wait more than a few hours for help.
During my hike, an elderly hiker fell and busted his kneecap in the 100 Mile Wilderness. He set up his tent on an incline for the night. In the morning, two hikers came along and found him. One hiker went back to the top of the mountain to get cell phone service and call for help. Between the hikers and the rescuers they got him out. People will help you if you get hurt.
How to Stay Safe
- Verizon has good service along the Appalachian Trail, and I recommend using them as your service provider. Bring along a power bank so your phone doesn’t die.
- If you’re really worried, you can get a SPOT satellite messenger. They’re kind of pricey, but it’s worth it to some people.
I hope this post did something to ease some of your concerns about the dangers of the Appalachian Trail. The truth is, nothing I or anyone else says will make all of the fear go away. You just have to get out there and see for yourself that it’s not scary.
Does anyone have any fears I didn’t mention? Share in the comments, even if they’re totally irrational.
I tend to travel much emptier spaces than the AT and may not see people for days at a time if my luck holds out. I have learned not to camp too close to babbling brooks because my ears will play tricks on me. Just as I’m about to drift off to sleep I’ll think I hear human voices. I can sleep with animal noises around me pretty well but the thought of humans approaching in the dark gets my hackles up for some reason.
So I guess you can say I’m afraid of babbling brooks. 🙂
Yes, go to the Himalayas. There are lots of people on the popular trails in Nepal, or you could hire a guide or join a guided group…you would be providing money to the local economy and would meet interesting people.
I agree, for every tragedy, there are thousands of happy, cheerful hiking stories of people who went out there, had a great time, and came back safe.
My biggest fear would be not making it to the next campsite, or losing my water filtering equipment.
I wouldn’t worry too much. If you don’t make it to the campsite, you can just set up where ever you find a good spot. Camping alone becomes less scary after the first few times. And as far as your water filtering equipment goes, I didn’t treat my water ever and I was fine. You should be alright until you can get to town and get new one.
Great post! I’ve been doing the Camino from Germany to Portugal (in stages, no way can I get the months I need off from work at one time) as a solo female hiker. I get horrified looks from so many people, and the big “Isn’t that dangerous???” question. I started to think there were maybe monsters in the woods that people weren’t allowed to tell me about…you know, like in the horror films there’s always someone who tries to warn the kids off before they go to the cabin/camp/whatever. I may just print a bunch of copies of this post out and hand them to people when they ask 🙂 Thanks for this!
Buen Camino! Ultreia
My fear is the same as Kathleens…getting caught in between campsites seems kinda scarey…would it be weird to set up a line around my tent with a couple bells just for safety? I feel silly for asking but have heard of people doing this and I will be hiking alone.
You should do whatever makes you sleep more soundly. After a few nights of camping alone, you’ll probably feel less scared and might not need the bells anymore.
I’m not sure Bella will help you sleep well there is wind and tiny animals and any bell jingle might have you on edge.
I’ve been hiking for like 2 years mostly in upstate south Carolina n Ga,Nc I’m being try to overcome my fear of over night hiking only any tips
Maybe try to stay at shelters or campsites during summer. This way you’ll likely be around other people. It will help you become more comfortable camping by yourself.
Honestly, sometimes you just have to rip off the bandaid and camp alone. The first few times will be scary, but it will be easier after that.
If one starts off in Georgia.
When would be a good time to start
Can you leave your car around?
Hi! My friend and I have been planning a four day trip on the AT from Newfound gap to Davenport gap and we’re super psyched! However, my family is worried about our safety. They think something really terrible will happen to two girls backpacking alone on the AT (even though I think it’s just as safe as our college campus). I was wondering if there was any way to reassure them that this is completely safe and that if we run into anyone on the trail they’ll probably be like the hikers Cheryl Strayed came across on the PCT. If you have any advice on safety please let me know!
Hello! Sounds like a great trip you have planned. I honestly don’t think you’ll run into any safety issues hiking with a partner. Friendly hikers (like in Wild) are the norm on the trail. You’ll probably just meet lots of friendly people who want to chat and hear about your trip. I would say go for it! There’s really no magical way to reassure family members other than to just go hiking and come back in one piece.
Your gut is your best guide. Follow your first instinct. You all have heard that before I’m sure!
4 out of 5 crimes against women are by someone you know. You could be in more danger left alone with your uncle than on a hike were you might be alone with another person a handful of times. I would be scared more of a female stranger than a male since my “danger stranger” instincts would be in full mode around a guy.
How many times do you yell at the stupid blonde in a scary movie to not do something! So if anyone talks about things that happen in scary movies I’d laugh at them and ask how “blonde are those roots!”
(No offense to blonde haired folks. Used in as a mind set reference only)
I am 56 years old and dream of hiking a section of the AT in each state a week a year. The logistics are tripping me up as I need to fly and schedule a shuttle. Is there a first time hike that you would suggest?
I would fly into DC and take the train to Harper’s Ferry and hike north through West Virginia, Maryland and into Pennsylvania. When you get to US Rt 30 in PA (about 60 miles) you can head into Gettysburg which is about 10-12 miles on a straight shot. I hitchhiked to and from town, first car that came along gladly picked me up. Just past Rt 30 (north maybe only 3-4 miles?) is the nicest shelter on the trail! Water is plentiful, good switchbacks for climbs, but lots of snakes in PA. I went all the way to Duncannon on the Susquehanna River in 10 days with a day off in Gettysburg. The thing about PA is it is very rocky with a lot of sharp shale and slate which are very slippery in the rain. This is not the most scenic area but the logistics are good. The middle of Virginia is very scenic. There is no train from Gettysburg to DC. Hope that helps you get started!
very helpful info – thank you
Take a look at the Spot GPS device. You can use this device to send pre-made text messages to family or friends letting them know you are ok or use the emergency button that sends a emergency signal for help and they use your gps coordinates to locate you and send help. It also tracks your progress on the trail where family and friends can follow your movements online.
Some of these are the opposite of what one might think, but it makes sense. Watch out for the little critters!
I agree. It’s the small things you have to look out for!
This is a wonderful post. Practical, not alarmist – really fine work. I sincerely appreciate you sharing it. Thank you.
Thanks for that. I have walked the Camino twice and hope to tackle the AT next year – covid permitting! I like your comments about keeping a perspective on the risks involved. After all, if you go downtown, there are lethal hazards foremost of which is the car. Driving to the starting point is probably the most dangerous part of any expedition. Also, I cycled recently through the Balkans. Whenever I mentioned Albania, everyone asked if I was bringing a gun! We did go through Kosovo not long after the war. The customs man at the border was far more concerned about violence in my country (Ireland) than anything in his! It is all perspective.
The Spot device does work. I have used one for years. My son borrowed mine about 3 years ago. He was camping in a LARGE hunting lease that I belong to, not the AT or other established trail. A couple of bear hunters came along one night where he was camping and started giving him trouble, he was about 21 at the time. My son hit the 911 button and within 5 minutes I was called buy the service in Harlingen, TX asking if everything was OK. I explained that my son was using the device. Within 10-15 minutes the state police was heading to the location. Everything worked out and the state police response was called off. It really does work and is WELL worth the money. It covers everywhere on the planet except Antartica. I do not work for the company. The device is relatively inexpensive as is the device that allow email while on the trail. The service contract can go by the year, or monthly. I do a lot of remote hunting and always have it with me. You never know when you will have a medical or other problem. Garmin has a similar product but I am not familiar with it.
I do not see any private contact information for Megan. How can I get in touch with her, for organizing an an Emergency Preparedness Educational Community event I am working on organizing for Emergency Preparedness?