Nestled in the eastern United States, the Appalachian Trail is a 2,200-mile hiking trail that traverses through 14 states from Maine to Georgia. While it’s an incredibly popular destination for outdoor adventurers and nature lovers alike, it’s also home to some pretty eerie and downright scary stories. Here are 11 of the scariest encounters from the Appalachian Trail that will have you looking over your shoulder on your next hike.
1. Coven Calling
In the ’80s, an excited hiker set out to complete the trail and ran into a gaggle of hooded figures donning black capes. The group knelt near the creek and continued their ceremony, creeping out the onlooker.
2. Friends With the Pack
One explorer recalls the incident where a pack of eight coyotes took a liking to him and followed him for a few miles. He noticed the reflection of the wild dogs in headgear. He attempted to scare the pack, but they disregarded his attempts and followed closely behind.
3. Half a Doe
A commenter reports that her husband found something unsettling on the trail a few years back. During the solo excursion, he came across a baby dear perfectly split in half. The doe appeared to be divided by a laser, as no proof of incision remained on the body, and no tracks led up to the carcass.
4. Machete Mason
Isn’t it terrifying when another hiker saunters past you with a bloodied machete? That’s precisely what happened to this respondent. He filled his water jug at a creek when the injured man crossed his path. The man insisted he fought a bear but didn’t ask for help.
5. Helicopter Hunt
During a journey from the north side of the trail to the south, a few helicopters encircled a hiker man, convinced he was the criminal they were searching for. On another trek, the hiker was making his way onto a trail when stopped by police. The cops showed him a picture of the man they were looking for but didn’t explain what the suspect had done.
6. Abandoned Knapsack
Planted in the middle of the trail, friends noticed an abandoned backpack with a sleeping bag, passport, and snacks inside. Someone appeared to have rifled through the bag before this discovery. No one knows what became of the person or why the pack was abandoned.
7. Hitchhiking Horror
If you’ve seen The Twilight Zone episode, “The Hitchhiker,” you know never to get in a stranger’s car in the wilderness. This duo learned that lesson while hitching a ride toward a trail. The driver kept informing the pair he didn’t have bad intentions and that they needed to make a pit stop at his house for his wallet, even though he mentioned they were on their way to a store. They convinced the driver to keep going and made it safely to their destination, but they were uneasy the entire time.
8. Bear Breath
“Nothing good happens after 2 AM,” Mothica sings in their song entitled the same. For this hiker, that sentiment rings true. While sleeping in her tent, she awoke to heavy breathing on the outer portion of the fabric. Scared to make any sudden movements, the camper lay still and waited for the animal to dash away. Thankfully, the bear stayed in that spot for only fifteen seconds before moving on.
9. Rude Rubbernecker
After the weather soured and hiking conditions plummeted, a wanderer booked a motel room for one night. When he woke up, he witnessed a stranger sticking their head through the window that had been closed when they checked in.
10. Bigfoot
“I’m a solo female hiker, and I encountered poachers as I camped near the trail. It appeared that they might have been on illicit substances. They told me not to go to the other side of the ridge because that’s where Bigfoot was.” The hiker was shown pictures of footprints the poachers had taken as evidence. After seeing the images, the hiker left.
11. Knife Guy
After a few hours of walking, a hiker decided to take a snack break and went to the nearest shelter out of town. “There was a guy there who seemed to be cleaning out/up the shelter. I asked him a few questions and he didn’t really answer any of them and seemed kind of weird.”
The hiker moved on from it and stayed in another shelter for a few days. While packing up the tent, the hiker noticed an odd movement in the woods. “I look up and about 50 yards out is the weird guy from yesterday’s snack break hiding behind a tree with a freaking knife in his hands. He never chased me or anything but that creeped me out!”
More From Savoteur
Climate change is a growing concern across the globe, and one of its most significant threats is rising sea levels. With each passing year, the risk of flooding and coastal erosion becomes greater. According to a report from the Union of Concerned Scientists, 15 U.S. cities could be underwater by 2050. Here is a list of those cities and what’s at stake for each.
Put on Your Lifejackets: 14 U.S. Cities That Will Be Underwater by 2050
These Are the 12 Most Dangerous Lakes in the United States
Some of the world’s most breathtaking lakes are in the United States. Yet, not all lakes are created equal, and some are downright dangerous. These 12 lakes make it to the list of the most dangerous lakes in the U.S.
These Are the 12 Most Dangerous Lakes in the United States
15 Deadliest Beaches in America: Avoid These on Your Next Vacation
As summer approaches and beach-goers flock to the coast, it’s important to be aware of the potential dangers that can lurk beneath the waves. From treacherous currents to deadly wildlife, America’s beaches can be beautiful yet perilous. Here are the 15 most dangerous beaches in America.
15 Deadliest Beaches in America: Avoid These on Your Next Vacation
Diving to New Depths: Discovering the Deepest Lake in the World
The world is home to many awe-inspiring bodies of water, and some of the most fascinating are the deep lakes. These lakes boast impressive depths that can leave even the most experienced divers breathless. Here we share the deepest lake in the world, ranked by depth.
Diving to New Depths: Discovering the Deepest Lake in the World
The 10 Most Dangerous Places To Swim in the World
Wild swimming is becoming popular with people who love escaping crowds and immersing themselves in nature. However, those looking for unbridled wild should always research where they swim beforehand, lest they find themselves in trouble.
Finding the right wild swimming spot takes a lot of research and monitoring of safety criteria, such as tides, proximity to sewage, and time of day.
An online post is sharing the most dangerous swimming places on Earth. Here are some you should avoid if you value your safety.
The 10 Most Dangerous Places To Swim in the World
