MARYVILLE, Tenn. — National Park officials are expecting a spike in traffic along the Appalachian Trail after the release next month of a Hollywood film about two hikers who attempt to conquer the 2,190-mile route.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials saw a 60 percent increase in traffic in the area after Billy Bryson’s book, “A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on The Appalachian Trail,” was published, according to The Daily Times in Maryville (http://bit.ly/1PHfqlo). The movie, out Sept. 2, is based on the 1998 book and stars Robert Redford and Nick Nolte.
Christine Hoyer, backcountry management specialist for the park, says officials knew the movie was coming.
“There’s been quite a large group working on this for a year,” she said.
Hoyer said land managers — including the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service and some state parks — have been working with The Appalachian Trail Conservancy on how best to prepare for increased traffic.