Approximately how many days would this stretch of trail take a moderately in shape hiker to walk? Also, how accessible is Hot Springs from the nearest major highway? So much easier to just ask on the forum and let someone knowledgeable answer rather than try to search for them. Thanks!
Smack
Smack. We can only estimate how long it will take anyone. It could be raining every day, you might like to hike long hours or short hours, you might go alta-light or carry extra weight, etc. You could look at some journals and see how long it takes different hikers to cover that distance. I think it is about 150 miles. My estimate is between 12-14 days, hiking about 12-17 miles per day. It is a beautiful section, there are some parts of it that you will be able to make great time, there are some parts that will be tough.
You can get to Hot Springs by the way of Ashville, NC. Not too long of a drive between those two cities. I’m not sure if you are planning to park your car in Hot Springs and section hike or if you are being dropped off in Hot Springs? Being a section hiker I know it is difficult in getting transportation. There are plenty of shuttles available between Hot Springs and Damascus, but I do not know if anyone would want to shuttle the entire distance, that would be about a $200 shuttle.
Give us a little more detail on how you plan to get to Hot Springs and how much time you have for the section hike. Hot Springs, Erwin and Damascus are great places to relax a day or two. Good Luck.
Bilko
Hwy 25/70 to AT in HS is about 30 miles from Interstate 26, I think. Someone correct me if I am wrong…
Enjoy Hot Springs Smack! It is a great little town.
Sunrise
You could get public transportation to Asheville (air, bus), then get a shuttle to Hot Springs. It’s about an hour’s drive, so it won’t be cheap with gas prices as they are. Check out the Wingfoot or Companion, and ATC’s site, for shuttle providers. You could also try to hitch, but you’ll probably wind up needing multiple rides.
From Damascus, public transportation is non-existent just like Hot Springs. You’d have to get over to Bristol, right on the VA/TN border (about 30 miles from Damascus). They have Greyhound service there. Also, USAir, Delta, and Northwest serve Tri-Cities Airport in Blountville TN south of Bristol.
Skyline
We will be hiking from Hot Springs to Pen-Mar. I don’t know when you are going but I will keep my ears and eyes open and maybe run into you. That section from Hot springs to Damascus is about 188 miles. Have a great hike!!
bctoOZ
My plan is to hike from somewhere (?) and end up in damascus for trail days. I can start hiking on the 10th or 11th. Perhaps Erwin would be a better choice to start from. Then I could take my time a little bit more. I think I remember the climb out of Hot Springs being a real bitch anyway! Does Miss Janet let hikers leave cars at her house while doing sections? Surely I would have no problem finding a ride back to Erwin leaving Trail Days? Is Erwin easily accessible from a major highway? Thanks for all the feedback.
Smack