One of the most popular activities enjoyed by Americans is spending time in forests and walking along paths through the country.
One
of
the
most
popular
activities
enjoyed
by
Americans
is
spending
time
in
forests
and
walking
along
paths
through
the
country
.
This activity, called hiking, has led to the creation of paths throughout the United States.
This
activity
,
called
hiking
,
has
led
to
the
creation
of
paths
throughout
the
United
States
.
One of the longest is the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
One
of
the
longest
is
the
Appalachian
National
Scenic
Trail
.
The trail is the first completed part of the National Trails System.
The
trail
is
the
first
completed
part
of
the
National
Trails
System
.
The trails system was established by Congress and the president in 1968.
The
trails
system
was
established
by
Congress
and
the
president
in
1968
.
The Appalachian Trail is more than 3,400 kilometers long.
The
Appalachian
Trail
is
more
than
3,400
kilometers
long
.
It starts in the northeastern state of Maine and ends in the southeastern state of Georgia.
It
starts
in
the
northeastern
state
of
Maine
and
ends
in
the
southeastern
state
of
Georgia
.
The trail goes through 14 states.
The
trail
goes
through
14
states
.
They are Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia.
They
are
Maine
,
New
Hampshire
,
Vermont
,
Massachusetts
,
Connecticut
,
New
York
,
New
Jersey
,
Pennsylvania
,
Maryland
,
West
Virginia
,
Virginia
,
Tennessee
,
North
Carolina
,
and
Georgia
.
The path takes walkers through the Appalachian Mountains.
The
path
takes
walkers
through
the
Appalachian
Mountains
.
They extend from the Canadian province of Quebec to the southern American state of Alabama.
They
extend
from
the
Canadian
province
of
Quebec
to
the
southern
American
state
of
Alabama
.
The Appalachian Mountains are among the oldest on Earth.
The
Appalachian
Mountains
are
among
the
oldest
on
Earth
.
They first began forming about one thousand million years ago.
They
first
began
forming
about
one
thousand
million
years
ago
.
During the millions of years since then, the mountains were changed and reformed by the forces of water and wind.
During
the
millions
of
years
since
then
,
the
mountains
were
changed
and
reformed
by
the
forces
of
water
and
wind
.
Ice also changed the mountains, making many of them smaller and digging valleys and lakes among them.
Ice
also
changed
the
mountains
,
making
many
of
them
smaller
and
digging
valleys
and
lakes
among
them
.
Many different kinds of trees grow along the trail.
Many
different
kinds
of
trees
grow
along
the
trail
.
And many different kinds of animals live in the forests along the trail.
And
many
different
kinds
of
animals
live
in
the
forests
along
the
trail
.
Lands along the trail are protected by the federal government and by state governments.
Lands
along
the
trail
are
protected
by
the
federal
government
and
by
state
governments
.
Some parts are not protected by the government directly.
Some
parts
are
not
protected
by
the
government
directly
.
Instead, they are protected by legal agreements with private owners willing to permit people to walk across their property.
Instead
,
they
are
protected
by
legal
agreements
with
private
owners
willing
to
permit
people
to
walk
across
their
property
.
Walkers on the Appalachian Trail pass through some of the great valley systems of the mountains.
Walkers
on
the
Appalachian
Trail
pass
through
some
of
the
great
valley
systems
of
the
mountains
.
They can look down into these beautiful valleys and see farms and forests stretching across the land for many kilometers.
They
can
look
down
into
these
beautiful
valleys
and
see
farms
and
forests
stretching
across
the
land
for
many
kilometers
.
Farmland in the valleys is rich and productive.
Farmland
in
the
valleys
is
rich
and
productive
.
And some of the great events in American history took place in the valleys.
And
some
of
the
great
events
in
American
history
took
place
in
the
valleys
.
For example, one of the great battles of the American Civil War was fought in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia.
For
example
,
one
of
the
great
battles
of
the
American
Civil
War
was
fought
in
the
Shenandoah
Valley
in
Virginia
.
One of the most popular activities enjoyed by Americans is spending time in forests and walking along paths through the country. This activity, called hiking, has led to the creation of paths throughout the United States.  One of the longest is the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. The trail is the first completed part of the National Trails System. The trails system was established by Congress and the president in 1968. The Appalachian Trail is more than 3,400 kilometers long. It starts in the northeastern state of Maine and ends in the southeastern state of Georgia. The trail goes through 14 states. They are Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia.  The path takes walkers through the Appalachian Mountains. They extend from the Canadian province of Quebec to the southern American state of Alabama.  The Appalachian Mountains are among the oldest on Earth. They first began forming about one thousand million years ago. During the millions of years since then, the mountains were changed and reformed by the forces of water and wind. Ice also changed the mountains, making many of them smaller and digging valleys and lakes among them. Many different kinds of trees grow along the trail. And many different kinds of animals live in the forests along the trail.  Lands along the trail are protected by the federal government and by state governments. Some parts are not protected by the government directly. Instead, they are protected by legal agreements with private owners willing to permit people to walk across their property.  Walkers on the Appalachian Trail pass through some of the great valley systems of the mountains. They can look down into these beautiful valleys and see farms and forests stretching across the land for many kilometers. Farmland in the valleys is rich and productive. And some of the great events in American history took place in the valleys. For example, one of the great battles of the American Civil War was fought in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia.