The International Appalachian Trail / Sentier International des Appalaches

10/18/2026

IATNL East Blow Me Down Trail

10/17/2026

10/13/2026

Dick Anderson asked Eddie Woodin for support of the international Appalachian Trail 29 years ago. Eddie has not stopped since! Thank you, Eddie for your long time support!

We gathered in Yarmouth yesterday for the annual hand-off and to watch the Patriots make quick and easy work of the Raiders. Annee Tara, Tom Rumpf, Dick, and Eddie joined Don Hudson in a commemoration photograph (thanks to Elizabeth Swain).

The IAT winds through unceded Wabanaki homeland from Katahdin into Canada and on to the northern tip of Newfoundland’s western peninsula before hopping to Greenland, Iceland, the Faroes, and on to Western Europe before ending in Morocco. The underlying rationale for the trail is Earth history and making connections to ancient mountainous terranes, yet it also connects people and communities, and might help reconcile we settlers to the First Nations we colonized beginning many hundreds of years ago—with more than a simple land acknowledgement. At least one, and perhaps more, hikers plan to make the several crossings of the North Atlantic by boat, and that would something.

10/12/2026

Ellen Wilcox - Twisted Sister

In 2002, Ellen Willcox became the first Canadian woman to hike the International Appalachian Trail, following the route first completed by John Brinda, the inaugural IAT thru-hiker. Having already completed the Appalachian Trail, Ellen set out in search of a new adventure on the newly established International Appalachian Trail.

Along the way, she formed lasting friendships with people across Québec and even one unexpected companion: a moose. Ellen later recalled waking in the night to find her tent moving beneath the moose's breath. Frightened at first, she joked that by morning they had become friends, sharing breakfast together: leaves for the moose and a cold Pop-Tart for Ellen.

Nicknamed "the little Canadian woman who could," Ellen persevered despite developing tendonitis and tearing ligaments during her journey. Determined to finish, she received support from IAT founder Richard "Dick" Anderson, who helped by slack-packing sections of the trail to reduce the weight on her injured foot.

Ellen successfully completed the International Appalachian Trail from Canada to Maine, finishing with the iconic climb of Katahdin and celebrating at the summit with her trusty stuffed raccoon.

In Ellie's own words: "Stay Safe and Happy Trails!"

10/01/2026

Gaelic Linkage and Geological Heritage

Scotland's participation in the International Appalachian Trail was inspired by the discovery of shared Appalachian geology dating back to the supercontinent Pangaea, linking the Scottish Highlands to the same ancient mountain system found in Maine and throughout the Appalachian region of eastern North America.

Expanding the IAT into Europe came with challenges. Some viewed the Appalachian Trail as a North American-centered project that would have limited appeal to European hikers. However, supporters emphasized that the IAT was a collaborative international initiative focused on shared geology, rural tourism, cross-border cooperation, and fostering international friendships through a universal outdoor experience. Because the trail largely followed existing routes, it was also a low-cost project that could bring economic benefits to rural communities.

Scotland had an additional motivation for joining the IAT: strengthening its historic connection with Nova Scotia. Both regions recognized their shared Gaelic heritage, with generations of Scottish immigrants carrying their language, traditions, and culture across the Atlantic. This shared history was reflected in a memorandum recognizing their unique relationship and outlining a commitment to:

• develop close cooperation between their respective tourism, cultural and educational sectors, primarily in research and development of tourism, culture and educational activities.
• develop interest in, encourage, and facilitate joint ventures and exchanges.
• derive mutual benefits from an exchange of information and experience.

The Scottish chapter of the IAT became another example of how shared geology and cultural heritage could strengthen international partnerships, connecting communities across oceans through both their landscapes and their people.

09/29/2026

Pilgrimage Meets IAT Trail Routes

As the International Appalachian Trail expanded into Europe, organizers often looked to established pilgrimage routes when planning new sections of the trail. These historic pathways offered many advantages, including existing trail markings, accommodations, hostels, transportation networks, and a well-established hiking culture.

One route considered was Spain's famous Camino de Santiago, one of the world's most recognized pilgrimage networks. While the Camino provided an ideal hiking infrastructure, it presented a significant geological challenge. Much of its traditional route does not follow landscapes with Appalachian geological heritage, unlike regions along Spain's western and southern coasts that share the ancient Appalachian connection.

Beyond geology, organizers also considered how the IAT might be received if it overlapped with an active pilgrimage route. There were concerns that introducing the IAT could face resistance from religious and secular pilgrims, as well as trail coordinators and volunteers responsible for maintaining the Camino. Ultimately, the IAT sought to balance geological authenticity with existing trail networks, ensuring that new routes honored both the region's ancient landscape and its cultural traditions.

09/25/2026

Why did International nations join the IAT?

It might be surprising, but the IAT wasn’t created from scratch. . Trails were actually made from connecting preexisting routes such as walking, hiking , pilgrimage and rural roadways. By doing this it was more accessible for a nation to join the IAT as there was virtually no additional expenses.

Growing the trail was important and so was international relations to recruit nations where the IAT traveled through. Often proposed as a cultural cooperation and celebration of historically shared geological heritage as in finding a way to learn and be more aware of shared environments.

Secondly, the trail proposed more environmental awareness and would promote better caretaking of public lands. But the most important draw was tourism. The trail attracted new groups of tourists looking to hike in the Appalachian mountains while also enjoying new cultural experiences. This brought communities economic benefits especially in rural, non-tourist areas that the trail passed through.

09/21/2026

The IAT and its addition of Ireland

Ireland and Northern Ireland share the same ancient Appalachian geology found in Maine and throughout parts of eastern North America, Europe, and North Africa. These geological discoveries provided the foundation for Ireland's involvement in the International Appalachian Trail, highlighting a landscape that was once connected long before modern continents and political borders existed.

Ireland joined the IAT to celebrate this shared geological heritage while creating new opportunities for rural communities. Hill-walking tourism was recognized as an important source of economic development, bringing visitors to the towns and villages along the trail. The project also encouraged the exploration of Ireland's transatlantic geological and historical connections while maintaining a distinctly Irish identity.

From the beginning, planners proposed four routes that would make use of existing walking trails wherever possible. The vision also included linking historic pilgrimage routes and sacred sites, inspired by Spain's famous Camino de Santiago de Compostela and its centuries-old network of pilgrimage paths. Rather than creating an entirely new trail, the Irish chapter connected established routes into one continuous journey across the island.

The project became a remarkable example of cross-border cooperation. Working together, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland linked their shared landscapes to create a coast-to-coast continuation of the International Appalachian Trail. On August 31, 2013, Northern Ireland officially became the 20th chapter of the IAT when the Ulster Way was connected to the Republic of Ireland's trail, creating a single Irish International Appalachian Trail and reinforcing the IAT's mission of uniting communities through shared geology, history, and outdoor recreation.

09/16/2026

“Nature Knows no Boundaries" Philosophy

"The Appalachians," written by Richard Anderson, captures the spirit of the International Appalachian Trail: that borders should never define our connection to the land or to one another.

Before the IAT, the Appalachian Mountains were divided by political boundaries despite sharing one continuous geological history. The trail challenged those divisions, bringing together landscapes and communities through international collaboration and a shared appreciation for nature.

What began as a partnership between Maine, New Brunswick, and Quebec grew into an expanded a network of provinces and regions united by stewardship, friendship, and the belief that outdoor recreation should transcend borders.

The IAT reminds us that while nations may be separated by lines on a map, the mountains, their history, and our shared heritage remain connected.