Vicariously hike the Appalachian in the gorgeous A Trail Tale

<figure> <img alt="A screenshot from A Trail Tale - a beautiful pixel art trail journal of the Appalachian Trail." data-caption="Inspired by Oregon Trail, but minus the dysentery. | Screenshot: Terrence O’Brien / The Verge" data-portal-copyright="Screenshot: Terrence O’Brien / The Verge" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-29-at-4.57.57-PM.png?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> Inspired by Oregon Trail, but minus the dysentery. | Screenshot: Terrence O’Brien / The Verge </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">I used to be an <a href="https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/936860/robert-moor-on-trails-book-review">avid hiker</a> and would try to go <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2016/8/23/12588188/wilderness-week-camping-hiking-gear-best-of-round-up">backpacking</a> a few times a year. I always dreamed of <a href="https://www.theverge.com/23630167/pacific-crest-trail-hiking-backpacking-gear-2600-miles">thru-hiking</a> the Appalachian Trail, but life kind of got in the way. (Turns out jobs, wives, and children aren't thrilled with the idea of you disappearing for three months.) But I've been longing to reconnect with my love of the outdoors and just recently took my kids on their first camping trip. So I discovered <em><a href="https://atrailtale.com/#/">A Trail Tale</a></em> at a really opportune time. It's an interactive trail journal created by Andy Moliski with help from his brothers Adam and Alex.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The various segments of the trail are rendered in beautiful pixel art reminiscent of a '90s S …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/entertainment/986461/hike-appalachian-trail-pixel-art-a-trail-tale">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>