Often referred to as "the bible for Appalachian Trail hiking," the Appalachian Trail Data Book each year is a top-selling official guide to walking America's best-known footpath-largely because it condenses into 96 pages all the important waypoints from the series of 11 official Appalachian Trail Guides from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and its affiliated clubs. That information is updated every December with the latest mileage and shelter information from the volunteers who are constantly improving the trail-making the Data Book an essential source for any Appalachian Trail hiker, whether out for the day or for the long haul of walking from Georgia to Maine in a single journey. For updates to trail conditions, you can go to www.appalachiantrail.org/trail-updates. The mileage information (with elevations for major landmarks) is keyed to both the official A.T. maps and to the guidebook sections-in a state-by-state, at-a-glance format.

Shelters, campsites, water sources, road crossings, supply sources, off-trail lodging, eateries, and post offices are all easy to spot in the listings. Whatever distance (or direction) you are walking on the legendary "A.T.," this is your easiest way to see where you are… compared to where you want to go.