The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, generally known as the Appalachian Trail or simply the A.T., is a marked hiking trail in the Eastern United States extending between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine. The trail is about 2,200 miles (3,500 km) long, though the exact length changes over time as parts are modified or rerouted. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy claims that the Appalachian Trail is the longest hiking-only trail in the world. More than 2 million people are said to do at least one day-hike on the trail each year.  Approximately 50% of Unicoi County is made up of Cherokee National Forest lands, through which the Appalachian Trail and the wild Nolichucky River run and where the newly acquired and protected Rocky Fork Tract sits. The A.T. passes many notable and scenic spots through its 288 miles in Tennessee; in Unicoi, places like Big and Little Balds, the Nolichucky River Gorge, Beauty Spot and Unaka Mountain all hold special places in hikers’ hearts.