Alabama Hiking Trail Society, Inc.

Eastern Continental Trail (ECT)

In 1997, John Brinda ended his hike of the Florida Trail near Pensacola, having walked the entire pennisula beginning in Key West. Upon reaching the Alabama-Florida state line, he wanted more and continued walking eventually ending his journey in Canada! Soon after, MJ Eberhart ("Nimblewill Nomad") retraced Brinda's steps and coined the trail's new name - the Eastern Continental Trail.

Over 5,500-miles in length, the ECT uses several long paths to take long distance hikers from Key West, FL, to Cape Gaspe', Canada. The path through Alabama takes hikers to their first mountain over 1,000-feet tall, Flagg Mountain, and to the state's highest peak, Cheaha.

While most of the route of the ECT is complete, a 220-mile section in Alabama is currently road walk. AHTS is working with the AHS and Southeast Foot Trail Coalition (SEFTC) to move the ECT off the road in the state and back into the woods.

Notices to Thru-Hikers

• Read the ECT Guide by Nimblewill Nomad
• Download the AL-NW GA Trails Handbook (40 pages covering hiker amenities and mileages from the AL-FL State line to the beginning of the Appalachian Trail) FREE!! Click here. 
• Download the map and trail description of the 28.1 miles of the Alabama Trail / GET / ECT through Conecuh National Forest by clicking here.
• Pinhoti Trail Maps are available by contacting the National Forests in Alabama, 2946 Chestnut St., Montgomery, AL 36107-3010 Ph 334.832.4470 or online at the National Forest Store.
• Download the Pinhoti Section 9 map by clicking here.