Who We Are
The Georgia Appalachian Trail Club manages, maintains and protects the Appalachian National Scenic Trail in Georgia with volunteers from its membership and the interested public.
Who We Are & What We Do
Since 1930, GATC volunteers have maintained, managed and protected the 78 miles of the Appalachian Trail, from the southern terminus of the trail at Springer Mountain to the North Carolina line. In addition, GATC maintains and manages the blue-blazed trails that connect with the A.T. – altogether more than 138 miles of trail. We maintain the shelters, bearboxes, bear cables, privies and other features in the trail network, and our volunteers build the stone and log steps, crib walls and stream-crossings as well as clear fallen trees and other obstructions to keep the trails clear.
Maintenance and management of the A.T. and its connecting trails in Georgia is a never-ending project that GATC members plan and perform almost daily with the close cooperation and support of the U.S. Forest Service and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.
Our diverse membership brings many decades of experience and a wide variety of expertise and knowledge to the ongoing tasks of trail maintenance, outdoor policy, conservation, informing the public about important issues, and educating hikers about safety, hiking etiquette and trail characteristics.
Trail Maintenance
Maintaining the A.T., the shelters and privies, plus the blue-blazed connecting trails, is the core of what the GATC does. GATC offers a wide variety of roles and activities of trail maintenance for members who want to be involved in this core mission. Those activities range from performing simple tasks on the trail guided by qualified instructors to more complicated tasks, like clearing trees from the trail or building rock structures, that require training, expertise and certification. No matter the age or ability of our members, there is a suitable role for each of them in trail maintenance.
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Protecting Our Natural Resources
GATC is actively involved in advocating for land and watershed conservation. We partner with many conservation groups and our members participate in a variety of programs to protect our environment.
Learn MoreHiking & Outdoor Recreation
GATC offers a year-round calendar of outdoor activities focused on group dayhikes and overnight backpacking trips. Our hikes are led by experienced hikers and the trails we hike range from the Georgia coast to the Atlanta area and beyond the north Georgia mountains into neighboring states.
A GATC-led hike is a great way to enjoy a hiking experience, meet new friends, learn trail craft and discover some of the most scenic locations in the Southeast. Our Backpacking 101 trips, instructed by experienced backpackers, are a great introduction to overnight hikes and take our members to beautiful trails in places like the Great Smoky Mountains.
Learn MoreOpportunities for Learning
GATC members have a wealth of experience and knowledge of the outdoors. We offer programs to introduce young people, school groups and others to the Appalachian Trail and outdoor experiences through one-day events like festivals as well as guided trips. Part of our mission is to teach people of all ages and interests the skills to be safe outdoors and be good stewards of our land. Organizations, schools or other groups seeking a GATC-guided experience or simply a knowledgeable trail expert to speak at an event, can contact us here.
One of our signature programs is our GATC Trail Ambassadors. GATC volunteer Trail Ambassadors patrol the A.T. to offer assistance and expert advice to hikers. For more information about this program, see GATC Trail Ambassadors.
Trail AmbassadorsOur Public Voice & Communication
From newsletters to social media and the website, the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club does what it can through its volunteers to keep its members and the public informed on issues that are important to those who enjoy the outdoors in Georgia.
GATC stays in touch with our members through a monthly newsletter, The Georgia Mountaineer. Our club also publishes a magazine, The Georgia Mountaineer Quarterly, that is distributed to the public in north Georgia.
Our Trail Partners
Integral to the success in achieving our goals and objectives in Georgia, our Associate Trail Maintenance Clubs are important in helping the Appalachian Trail continue as a national icon.
