Virginia Urban, age 13, of Staten Island, N.Y., for her question:

WHAT IS THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL?

The Appalachian Trail is the longest marked footpath

in the world. Hikers and campers enjoy this famous mountain path as it e tends 2,050 miles along the crests of the Appalachian Mountains between Mount Katahdin in northern Maine to Mount Oglethorpe in northern Georgia.

It takes a hiker about four months to travel the full trail as it crosses 14 states, eight national forests and two national parks. Campsites and cabins are located along the way.