Everyone I know who has would say it's worth it. It'll take half a year so of course they were gung-ho about it. I've hiked a few miles of it in Virginia and it's beautiful. I would thru-hike if I had the discipline.
I live in Georgia, at the foothills of it, and I know a lot of people who have attempted it and a few who have done it and they all say that it is wonderful and completely worth it! Good luck-and get a company to sponser you b/c you will need a lot of boots and equipment!! and it takes about 3 months at least.