Warren Doyle: Controversial Hiker, Teacher & Dancer

Home Hiker Stories Warren Doyle: Controversial Hiker, Teacher & Dancer

There are two kinds of people in the Appalachian Trail world: those who hate on Warren Doyle and those who revere him as a Guru of the Appalachian Trail.

He seems to get a bad rap as being contra-everything. I was happy to learn he's a contra dancer and caller. That proves he's not all bad.

An old proverb says, "Sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness."

Warren doesn't seem to live by those words. He speaks his mind, goes his way and appears not to care if people find him hard to deal with. A bit of an Appalachian Trail anti-hero.

Dr. Doyle is known for being a dynamic, opinionated but knowledgeable, unapologetic but caring, social change educator who is devoted to helping people fulfill their long-distance hiking goals and to experience the joy of moving to the music that they collectively hear.

One thing's certain. He knows how to train potential Appalachian Trail thru-hikers. Then, he leads them the length of the AT, even if he (in my humble opinion) endangers them when they ford the Kennebec River.

If you haven't formed an insanely devout opinion about him, go to WarrenDoyle.com to see what the fuss is all about.

"They say" he's a legend in his own mind. Whatever. His website says he's hiked the entire Appalachian Trail 17 times and is the founder of ALDHA - the Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association.

Warren Doyle is a legend in my mind too. A fussy legend, perhaps, but a legend indeed.

Tags: Events, Tourism, Appalachian Trail, Hiking, News, Appalachian Trail Clubs, Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association, Robert Sutherland Travel Writer, Hikers, Hiking Safety, Information, appalachian trail hikers, warren doyle, warren doyle contradance, warren doyle appalachian trail institute, warren doyle appalachian trail legend, and warren doyle appalachian trail thru-hike