A New Look for the Next 100 Years of the Appalachian Trail

Stamp the mud off, loosen those boots, and gather round the campfire for an Appalachian Trail tale that’ll knock your socks off.

After a good hike along any portion of the nearly 2,200-mile Appalachian National Scenic Trail, it might be easy to behold these high mountain ridges and take for granted the vast surrounding acreage of lush, protected forest land.

The First Century: From Logged Forests to Beloved Trail

A century ago, stretches of these wild and scenic mountain landscapes were decimated by clearcut logging operations. Fast forward to 2025, the A.T. is the largest, connected wilderness corridor in the eastern United States and a backbone of conservation, drawing 16.9 million recreation visits across 14 states.

For the countless many who’ve already hiked here and the millions more to come, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy works passionately to protect, manage, and advocate for the entire Appalachian Trail.

Founded in 1925, the ATC recently celebrated a century since our founding, and we’ve embarked on the next 100 years of endeavoring to keep the A.T.’s vast natural and scenic beauty healthy, resilient, and connected, so that everyone can experience its transformative power.

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s centennial milestone was an opportunity to celebrate how far this national treasure of a trail has come, and how the scope of the ATC’s work has evolved and changed: from coordinating the building of the Trail, to achieving permanent protection for the treadway, to becoming a unifying entity that brings together the resources, expertise, and partners needed to manage such a sprawling and unique resource.

A New Look for a New Century

Now in our second century, ATC is expanding conservation efforts for the Trail’s breathtaking landscapes and biodiverse natural habitats.

The ATC’s new brand identity manifests this growth and reflects the personality of the amazing and dedicated individuals who share their passion, talents, knowledge, love for the outdoors, zest and warmth by becoming ATC members, volunteers, partners, and staff.

The spade in our new logo reflects the efforts needed to maintain the Trail and its surrounding landscape. The leaves represent the conservation and biodiversity that is critical to the A.T. Other subtle but important elements (mountain and protected realm) communicate the place where our work happens. And, of course, you can still see the A and the T, because the Trail is always central to the ATC’s work.

The Trail Is Never Finished

The A.T. is never finished, and neither is the work required to steward it. With immense help from our partners — which includes 30 passionate Appalachian Trail clubs, thousands of volunteers, as well as federal, state, and local entities, and organizations like Darn Tough — we all keep the trail alive.

Each hiker’s footstep molds the treadway, just as step by step, the trail slowly changes those who visit. Whether walking just for a few miles, or thru-hiking the entire distance, something about an A.T. experience sticks with you when you come back home (and hopefully it’s not a tick).

For all the constant, incremental change that an entity as wild and winding as the Appalachian Trail represents, on the other hand it is a picture of mountain-true toughness and resilience. Some qualities are steadfast, like a trusty pair of hiking socks.

What Comes Next

Looking ahead toward the future, the ATC is committed to expanding conservation for the A.T.’s beloved landscapes and vital natural habitats. We also endeavor to share ways that everyone from any walk of life can enjoy transformational experiences on the Trail.

One way you can join the fun is the A.T. Summer Bucket List, where participants can explore, learn, and celebrate the Appalachian Trail in new and exciting ways from anywhere and have a chance to win a prize package that includes a pair of Darn Tough ATC socks and other awesome outdoor gear.

Seeing the way that hikers, volunteers, and our partners like Darn Tough have stepped up in support of our centennial celebration fills us with gratitude and strengthens our resolve.

Raise a Pair to the Future

Your enthusiasm fuels our drive to ensure the Appalachian Trail is a place where you, your friends, and family can get your socks wet every day for the next hundred years to come, and a hundred years beyond that.

And like any good birthday, what better way to celebrate than with a fresh pair of socks?

A model for sustainability and social impact in its communities, Darn Tough has helped us champion the A.T. and advance our mission to protect it since 2009. The freshly updated Darn Tough ATC Hiking Sock with our new logo gives back to the A.T.

With the dedicated and thoughtful efforts of all our partners — as well as the friends still to meet and partnerships yet to be made — the Appalachian Trail is on a path to thrive in the next century.

So to that, let’s raise a pair (of socks) to the future. Here’s to another 100 years, 100 miles, and countless more awesome Appalachian Trail adventures.

About the Author

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) is the only nonprofit organization devoted exclusively to protecting, managing, and advocating for the entire Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.). Working alongside volunteers, trail clubs, public agencies, and supporters, the ATC helps ensure the A.T. remains protected, resilient, and accessible for generations to come.