Forgotten Miles: Difficult Sections of the Appalachian Trail (that no one ever talks about)

When you hear people talk about tough sections of the Appalachian Trail, you probably hear about the Whites, Vermud, Maine, the Virginia Roller Coaster, and the Pennsylvania rocks. But have you heard about these sections of the trail that are just as difficult?? Always remember, difficulty can depend heavily on weather and how you’re feeling emotionally and physically through any section, so to negate some of these factors, I checked in with Snapshot and MC on the sections they also thought were difficult that we hadn’t heard about prior to starting the trail. I start in Georgia and work my way to Maine, but I’ve also included an index (spoiler alert!) below if you want to skip around!
Index:
00:17 - Sassafras Mountain, GA
00:52 - Leaving the NOC, NC NoBo
1:35 - Entering the Smokies, NC
2:20 - Virginia is NOT FLAT (Southern PA is)
3:03 - VA Hwy 60 to Bald Knob, VA
3:51 - Three Ridges, VA
4:37 - PA Rt 22 out of Duncannon, PA
5:23 - Entering Port Clinton, PA going NoBo
6:20 - Lehigh Gap, PA
7:12 - Stairway to Heaven, NJ
8:20 - Connecticut
9:24 - Mt. Killington, VT
10:28 - Smarts Mountain & Mt. Cube, NH
11:45 - Vermud vs New Hampshire and Maine mud
12:30 - Hard parts within the Whites (that you don’t hear about)
15:44 - Southern Maine
17:12 - Water crossings in the Hundred Mile Wilderness, Maine
20:23 - Ascending and descending Mt. Katahdin, ME
Music:
Mindme / On Our Minds (Instrumental Version) / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Mindme / Slow It Down (Instrumental Version) / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Mindme / I’ll Get Up (Instrumental Version) / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Mindme / Like That (Instrumental Version) / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Mindme / Lasting (Instrumental Version) / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Mindme / No Good For Each Other (Instrumental Version) / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
waykap / Like Paradise (Instrumental Version) / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Nahra / Idiot (Instrumental Version) / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com

[@rockwren]

Got serious shin splints on a section hike on the descent into Port Clinton. What I'll never forget is that there was a deer descending in front of us that actually fell and tumbled a bit. Yes, a deer can look embarrassed.

[@hikingmovie]

Yes! The cliff out of Palmerton and Madison! Mahoosuc Notch was fun, not that hard. I am surprised it has such a bad reputation. The hike the day before Mahoosuc was ridiculously difficult for me, probably the hardest day of the trail other than Katahdin. The Kinsman’s and the Wildcats were terrible too but I did do most of the Kinsman’s in the dark, so it might not have been so scary in daylight.

[@PaulsWanderings]

I felt so bad watching all of the AT hikers in the Whites in 2023. I swear it didn't stop raining all Summer. Coming off of Moosilauke is dangerous enough, via the AT, but all of the rain in '23, it looked like you were in a literal river.

[@KrizAkoni]

Loved this video! There’s so many “harder” sections that people seem to forget about. 🤓 St. John’s ledges kicked my butt! 😂 Hmmm, I need to examine my fall strategy more closely…your 100 mile wilderness section is enlightening. I need to plan differently for this.

[@ras0220]

Climbing over the top rock ledge at Lehigh Gap scared the crap out of me.

[@Bohonk212]

Three Ridges, VA; Crocker Mountain, ME; Up to Cheoah was not bad, long & steep but smooth and well maintained; Wildcat, NH. Steepest on the AT and long & hard rock scrambling.

[@vincentryan5326]

OMG Smarts and Cube!! Literally laughed so hard when you said "two mountains that you never really hear about" I was like, oh, shes totally gonna say smarts and cube. I remember how difficult they were, that second day out if Hanover was crazy, and theyre not really considered the Whites yet!

[@Elizabeth-pt4bv]

Sit down, talk, each set your expectations with each other and the trail, set boundaries, set limits. Talk, honestly, then move forward, whether together to Katahdin, or together for a bit more, or solo. , but stay in touch. If the friendship means something to you both. Work on it. you're both trying to over come so much, you'll figure out whats best. Be true to yourselves and why you're out there. Good luck. Your videos are great and thanks for sharing. 😊😊

[@frog23988]

Great video that no one ever talk about all the ups and downs on most of the trail and no one ever says how tough it can be in places. I agree on Sassafras but most of Ga. was all puds pointless up and downs. I did Ga NC and Tenn. and most of Va. in the 1970s all on vacations and weekend hikes so I never got trail legs until 2012 when I finally did the Whites and on. Every one planning on thru hiking needs to see this.

[@ValsLife1]

I went down Dragon's Tooth is the pouring rain and was terrified!!! Nobody ever talks about that section.

[@deborahnedreberg1213]

Finally an informative hiker! So tired of people starting out with the same over and over info.

[@goodwaterhikes]

I agree the decent into Port Clinton was kinda dangerous due to the steepness and loose gravel. Happy trails 😎👍✌️

[@wesleykremer3916]

Thank you! This is fantastic information concerning the less discussed hurdles one must overcome to complete the AT.

[@juliamarple3785]

Southern Rocky hiker here. I had no idea the AT had all those rocks & climbs. Thanks.

[@ras0220]

Fantastic video...I really enjoyed this....👍.

[@jackrussell108]

Thank you for this.🤙🤙🤙

[@susietopspin]

We were SOBO out of Port Clinton and I remember thinking I was happy to be going up rather than down 😂. Some sketchy areas in New York too. Great video. Happy trails.🤘🏻🥾⛰️

[@glenncremeans9067]

Great video , thank you

[@grnmtns1]

Thanks for the helpful tips as I plan my 2027 NOBO thru-hike. I'd like to descend Katahdin by the Saddle Trail with a reservation at the Chimney Pond bunkhouse; not sure how the logistics will work out so I can slackpack up with just my bivy, liner, and other overnight necessities. I'd have to Yogi a ride back for my gear the next day or walk it all!

[@4potslite169]

My knees were on fire after going down to Port Clinton. Mt Cube and Smarts Mt also kicked my butt! Got to the top after dark cause I was moving so slowly. Weather has sooo much to do with the difficulty. ALL of the really difficult sections for me included thunderstorms, trails that were rivers, and 85° blazing sun. I felt like I was going to die every minute after having to descend Mt Moosilauke in cold rainy conditions.