BREAKING: An inspiring new record has been set as 80-year-old Betty Kellenberger has just become the oldest woman to hike the entire 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail. Completing her journey across 14 states, Kellenberger’s remarkable feat is capturing hearts and headlines alike.
Just recently, Kellenberger shared her thrilling adventure, highlighting the beauty of America’s landscapes and the challenges she faced along the way. Relaxing in her living room, she reflected, “You see incredible parts of our country, things that you wouldn’t see otherwise. So much wildlife. It’s just gorgeous.”
Kellenberger grew up on a farm in Howell, Michigan, and had long dreamed of tackling the Appalachian Trail. “I always thought, ‘Oh, it would be so cool to hike on the Appalachian Trail,’” she recalled, laughing. Despite her passion, she had never found the opportunity—until now.
An accomplished educator with over four decades of teaching experience, Kellenberger was no stranger to endurance. After undergoing knee replacement surgery, she decided to push her limits and embarked on her hiking adventure starting in 2024. “So I went to Harpers Ferry… and started hiking,” she explained. “And I could do it, with knee replacement, everything. So I just kept going.”
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy estimates that between 3,000 and 4,000 hikers attempt the trail each year, yet fewer than 25% successfully complete it. Kellenberger faced numerous obstacles, including dehydration and a concussion from a fall. She also battled Lyme disease but pressed on, determined to conquer the trail.
As she reached the southern border of Virginia, her progress was halted by the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene. “Helene just devastated that area of the South,” she noted. Undeterred, Kellenberger adjusted her route but faced further delays due to cold weather, pushing her completion date to the spring of 2025.
After months of hiking, she learned that she was on track to become the oldest woman to complete the trail. The previous record was held by Linda Vanderloop, who finished in 2024 at age 74. Kellenberger, however, did not embark on this journey for the accolades. “You have to plant your feet, look at the view and then move forward every step,” she emphasized.
Her solitary journey provided ample time for self-reflection. “You hike alone, and so you have your thoughts… but it’s the people you meet,” she remarked, cherishing the connections she made along the way.
Upon completing her hike, Kellenberger experienced a flurry of emotions. “So you’re a basket case. You have so many emotions because you’re excited about finishing,” she said, reflecting on the bittersweet ending of her journey.
She identified the stretches through Maine and New Hampshire as the toughest yet most beautiful parts of the trail. Among her fondest memories is the sighting of a full-grown moose in the wilderness of Maine.
Now, as the titleholder of the oldest woman to complete the Appalachian Trail, Kellenberger is in the best shape of her life. Looking ahead, she is eager to tackle new adventures, including hiking in Iceland and possibly the North Country Trail.
Kellenberger’s incredible journey is a testament to the power of determination and the spirit of adventure, inspiring people of all ages to pursue their dreams. “This life is a journey. And it may be a series of little journeys,” she stated, embodying the essence of perseverance and exploration.
