About Appalachian Trail
Appalachian Trail is a hard hiking trail near Buchanan in Botetourt County, West Virginia.. The surface is paved. Managed by Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap.
Photo by Tobias Mrzyk on Unsplash
HardPaved
Appalachian Trail
Buchanan, West Virginia · Botetourt County · Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club
Appalachian Trail is a hard hiking trail near Buchanan in Botetourt County, West Virginia.. The surface is paved. Managed by Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club. Trail data is sourced from OpenStreetMap.
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37.52956, -79.62209
Open in OpenStreetMap5-Day Forecast
Weather at Appalachian Trail
Live forecast for the trailhead. Use it to pack and time your hike.
Today
Overcast
89°/67°
💧 4%🌬 8mph
↑ 6:17 AM ↓ 8:32 PM
Mon
Overcast
92°/70°
💧 5%🌬 13mph
↑ 6:18 AM ↓ 8:31 PM
Tue
Thunderstorm
82°/67°
💧 43%🌬 12mph
↑ 6:19 AM ↓ 8:30 PM
Wed
Overcast
93°/67°
💧 7%🌬 10mph
↑ 6:20 AM ↓ 8:29 PM
Thu
Overcast
90°/65°
💧 3%🌬 5mph
↑ 6:21 AM ↓ 8:28 PM
Forecast data © Open-Meteo. Refreshed every 6 hours. Always check the most recent forecast before heading out.
What “Hard” Means
Steep, technical, or long. Requires good fitness and experience.
Difficulty is derived from OpenStreetMap’s Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) hiking scale, trail visibility, surface, distance, and elevation gain. Always verify current conditions before heading out.
What to Pack & Wear
Personalised to this trail’s length, elevation, difficulty, and the live forecast.
👔 What to Wear
- UPF sun shirt (long sleeve)Cooler than direct sun on bare skin.
- Light shorts/skirtLoose-fit, breathable.
- Wide-brimmed sun hatPlus a buff/bandana you can wet for cooling.
- Polarized sunglassesCritical for glare from sun + sand/water.
- Rain jacket / shell43% chance of precipitation in the forecast.
🎒 What to Pack
- WaterBring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
- High-energy snacksA snack for the trail.
- Sun protection (UV 8)SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm w/ SPF, sunglasses, sun hat.
- Headlamp + spare batteriesLong days can run late — never rely on phone flashlight alone.
- First-aid kitBlister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
- Offline mapDownload your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
- Dry bags for electronicsPhone, camera, and snacks should stay dry.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Trail Safety in West Virginia
Trail conditions in West Virginia change with weather, season, and fire activity. Closures, washouts, and rerouting are common. Before heading out:
- Check with the land manager for current conditions and closures
- Tell someone your plan and expected return time
- Know your turn-around limits — conditions can change fast
- Carry the 10 essentials: water, food, navigation, first aid, light, fire, shelter, knife, sun protection, extra clothes
References & Maps
Nearby
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