<P> The Appalachian National Scenic Trail spans fourteen U.S. states during its roughly 2,200 miles (3,500 km) - long journey: Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine . It begins at Springer Mountain, Georgia, and follows the ridgeline of the Appalachian Mountains, crossing many of its highest peaks and running with only a few exceptions almost continuously through wilderness before ending at Mount Katahdin, Maine . </P> <P> The trail is currently protected along more than 99% of its course by federal or state land ownership or right - of - way . Annually, more than 4,000 volunteers contribute over 175,000 hours to maintain the trail, an effort coordinated largely by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), assisted by some thirty trail clubs and multiple partnerships . </P>

Where does the appalachian trail go through tennessee