Downed trees and flooding have left the trail impassable in many of the 14 states on its route. As the scope of devastation caused by Hurricane Helene comes into focus, an American landmark that dozens of towns benefit from is facing historic destruction: the Appalachian Trail.

Our hiking columnist phoned up experts along the iconic pathway to get a sense of the destruction left by Hurricane Helene

The devastation created by Hurricane Helene in the southeast part of the United States was unlike anything many people have seen before. Entire communities have essentially been wiped off the map as torrential downpour left towns flooded.