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The
West Virginia Scenic Trails Association
has spent countless hours building, maintaining, improving and measuring the Allegheny Trail. And they are always looking to get more of this trail off of roads. The distances presented in this distance calculator are based on distances in the 2019 WVSTA Hiking Guide to the Allegheny Trail and are used with permission. Though they are as accurate as possible, mikecalabrese.com and Mike Calabrese are not responsible for any errors, omissions or other factors that could result in any mishaps on this trail.
The Allegheny Trail is one of the wildest, most challenging and remote trails that I have ever hiked. I only did a weekend backpacking trip of about 18 miles from Durbin to Cass, WV on it in 1998 but it was one of the greatest challenges that I have ever encountered. I also passed the southern terminus of this trail while section hiking the AT from Troutville to Pearisburg, VA in 2000. And in May, 2023 I traveled to the northern terminus of this trail as part of a West Virginia VIPP circuit. Therefore, if you are going to day hike/bike/run, section hike/bike/run or thru hike/bike/run this trail, please order the guide books and maps from WVSTA. This trail traverses a sparsely populated area, has some widely varying elevation changes, has spotty cell reception and has some very extreme features which can make it very fun but also very dangerous. These publications could save your life.
This distance calulator includes four areas where there is a choice of a low water route or a high water route. I have only included the distances for the low water routes. The high water route alternatives are blazed yellow just like the ALT, are mostly along roads, are easier and are generally shorter than the low water routes. During spring runoff or after heavy rains it is highly recommended that you utilize the high water routes on this trail. The descriptions of these high water routes are available in the maps and guidebooks from WVSTA.
This distance calculator also includes a 37.5 mile road walk in section four. The reason is that the U.S. Forest Service has not given permission to the WVSTA to route the ALT through ecologically sensitive areas along the Virginia/West Virginia border near the Jefferson National Forest. The ALT actually enters Virginia for a short stretch in this area. It is not known if or when this issue will be resolved. So a 37.5 mile road walk just north of I64 has been established. There are no blazes along this road walk so please rely on the guide book and maps to get you through this area. Enjoy your adventures on the ALT!
