The pandemic is currently limiting our travel possibilities, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still explore new places. For example, there’s a new app that lets you hike the Appalachian Trail from any point in the world and we think that’s a great way for people who live too far away to experience it.
While the Appalachian Trail is usually full in the spring, this year was different. Due to social distancing measures and orders to stay home, many people were unable to visit their favorite hiking trail.
Walk the Distance is a new app that’s trying to make the Appalachian Trail more accessible. It works by using the pedometer on your phone to track your steps. It then adds those steps day by day until you walk the entire length of the Appalachian Trail—2,200 miles or 3,500 kilometers.
Everything counts, even taking your dog on a short walk. As you do your daily walks, the app will let you know the milestones you’ve hit.
The app also has a social aspect which means that you can use it to share your virtual hiking experience with friends. Using Google Maps graphics, the app shows an icon with your profile picture pinned in the place on the trail that you’ve reached based on the step count.
