Appalachian Trail Institute

Mark your calendars! The 2026 ATI dates are here! Which one will you attend?

March 30 - April 3
September 14 - 18
September 21 - 25
October 5 - 9
October 12 - 16

Is there a long-distance hike on the Appalachian Trail in your future? Do you want to increase your chances of completing the entire journey? Do you want to save money by not buying equipment and clothing you don’t need? Then the Appalachian Trail Institute (ATI) would be an informative and valuable program for you. Organized and directed by Dr. Warren Doyle, who has walked the AT a record eighteen times, the ATI is an intensive, five-day program that covers trail history and management, trip logistics, food, equipment, physical conditioning, hiker safety/health; and the most neglected but most important topic of all, the psychological/emotional aspects of long-distance hiking. For thirty-six years (since 1989), over a thousand hikers (from 46 states and 4 foreign countries) have attended and enjoyed the ATI.

Click here to register and for more information:

ATI Registration Form (2026) Appalachian Trail Institute Registration Form Is there a long-distance hike on the Appalachian Trail in your future? Do you want to increase your chances of completing the entire journey? Do you want to save money by not buying equipment and clothing you don’t need? Then the Appalachian Trail Inst...

The Tempo of the Trail: Warren Doyle on History, Hiking, and Heart What do a McDonald’s, a rusted van, and an Appalachian Trail record have in common? Warren Doyle. On this episode of the Free Outside Podcast I am joined by ...

2025 SmartHikes

Springer Mt., GA north to Damascus, VA
April 1-30 30 days 15.7 mpd

Front Royal, VA south to Damascus, VA
May 27 - June 26 31 days 16.4 mpd

Gorham, NH to Katahdin, ME
Aug. 29 - Sept. 22 25 days 12 mpd

FIVE person minimum to do it.
Registration deadline - one month prior to the start of each hike

2025 MAY be the last year of the SmartHikes.

Send a message to learn more

GA/NC/TN SmartHike is over. Ten hikers in all.
30 days. 469 miles. Mission accomplished.
Next up is the VA SmartHike.
32 days. 509 miles
Front Royal, VA south to Damascus, VA
May 29-June 29
All day-hiking
Join for any length of time
Info at:

Warren Doyle Warren Doyle has hiked the Appalachian Trail more than any other person and has been a life-long educator of the trail and contra dance. Check out his hiking and dance services, such as the Appalachian Trail Institute and SmartHike.

Some nice photos.....

Warren Doyle and the life-changing magic of the Appalachian Trail Meet the man who's logged more than 38,000 miles on the AT and hiked the entire trail a total of 18 times—the informal record.

Worth a repeat....

Warren Doyle / AT Legend | Day Fire Podcast Welcome to Day Fire Podcast! We talk everything outdoors for beginners to hardcore athletes. You'll learn about outdoor experiences, equipment, training tips, places to go, and hear from local athletes and seasoned outdoor professionals.

A very touching short video of the oldest person to walk the Appalachian Trail.

The Last Last Hike 83-year-old Nimblewill Nomad is about to become the oldest person to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. But he didn’t start at Springer Mountain, Georgia - his…

2025 Appalachian Trail Institutes
March 24-28
May 19-23
Oct. 13-17
Oct. 20-24
Registration and details at www.warrendoyle.com

Warren Doyle - Appalachian Trail Institute Warren Doyle has hiked the Appalachian Trail more than any other person and has been a life-long educator of the trail and contra dance. Check out his hiking and dance services, such as the Appalachian Trail Institute and SmartHike.

Ep. 104: Warren Doyle / AT Legend
This week we sat down with Warren Doyle. Warren has been walking the Appalachian Trail since 1972 (i.e., 38,000 miles). He has traversed the entire AT a record eighteen times! He loves to share his love and enthusiasm for the trail and educate people on how to fulfill their dream of hiking it. Check out Warren's programs at . www.warrendoyle.com.

Tune in and let's go: https://www.dayfirepodcast.com/

Sponsored by: Rock/Creek and Mtn View Auto.

15 AT dreamers are coming to the ATI at the end of this month. There is room for five more.