Virtual Reality Views from the AT

A "V.R. View" is a panoramic photo with a twist: it moves! Rendered from a series of horizontally-continuous photos that have been stitched together, each V.R. View (VRV) pans left and right through an arc of from 180 to 360 degrees, offering an expansive perspective unattainable through static imagery on a fixed-width computer screen. Each show features an interactive toolbar, allowing the user to personalize the viewing experience. This includes an Interpretive Viewing option, in which the primary features of the image are labelled or otherwise described. Clicking on the Info icon, located on the toolbar within each show, will provide the user with a complete list of instructions and background info for the V.R. View currently in play.

V.R. Views make use of the Macromedia Flash browser plug-in. Each show should display an introductory image while loading. If this doesn't happen, you may need to download and install a free Flash plug-in (click here).

Select a VRV by clicking on a camera icon within the Appalachian Trail map at left. This map, produced by the National Park Service and available in printed form through the Appalachian Trail Conference, shows the entire route of the A.T., from Maine (top) to Georgia. To return to this page after watching a VRV, click your browser's Back button.

V.R. Views are currently available for the following locations along the Appalachian Trail:

Mount Lafayette: a 360 degree view from the highest peak of the Franconia Range (5,268 ft.), which the Trail traverses in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. And for those of you with 3D anaglyph glasses (red and blue lenses), view a three dimensional VRV of Mt Lafayette here.
Delaware Water Gap: a 180 degree view of Mount Tammany and the surrounding terrain, from the top of Mount Minsi (1,461 ft.) along the Appalachian Trail. Bring headphones and a sense of humor for this one!
Shenandoah National Park: a 180 degree view from a west-facing overlook atop North Marshall Mountain (3,368 ft.) in the northern end of the Park. Interpretive View is forthcoming.
Chestnut Knob: a 180 degree view from a 4,000 foot high ridge in southwest Virginia during the peak of autumn color. Interpretive View is forthcoming.
Walker Mountain: a 180 degree view of southwest Virginia farmland on a spectacularly wet and cold afternoon in autumn. Tree color nearing peak, grass greener than life itself.