Eastern Continental Trail

The Eastern Continental Trail (ECT) is a combination of North American long-distance hiking trails, which connect (roughly) from Key West, Florida to Belle Isle (Newfoundland and Labrador) a distance of 5,400 miles (8,700 km). A thru-hike on this system of trails requires almost a year to complete.

History

The first person to hike the ECT from Key West to Cap Gaspe was John Brinda from Washington State, in 1997.^[1] Since then, an increasing number of thru-hikers have utilized a route that strings together a Key West / Everglades roadwalk and the Florida Trail with a roadwalk through southern Alabama, the Pinhoti National Recreation Trail and Benton MacKaye Trail in Georgia to reach the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail at Springer Mountain. Hikers then continue north on the Appalachian Trail to the International Appalachian Trail to reach Cap Gaspé, Quebec, and more recently, Belle Isle (Newfoundland and Labrador). The trail system was named by long distance hiker, M. J. Eberhart (trailname: Nimblewill Nomad).^[2]

Trails Used in the System

Trails listed in order from north to south.

• International Appalachian Trail
• Appalachian Trail
• Benton MacKaye Trail
• Pinhoti Trail
• Alabama Roadwalk
• Florida Trail
• Key West/Everglades Roadwalk

References

1. ^ "Resume: John C. Brinda". John C. Brinda. http://complabs.nevada.edu/~brindaj/cv.html. Retrieved 2011-05-25. 
2. ^ "Eastern Continental Trail Guide". M. J. Eberhart. http://www.nimblewillnomad.com/eastern_continental_trail_guide.htm. Retrieved 2009-12-20.