My friend and I want to hike for a week in early April. We live in Colorado. He would prefer the Rockies, or the Remarkables in New Zealand, but climate/ deep deep snow/ expense won’t let us. I’ve hiked a 1000 miles of the AT between Davenport Gap NC and Greylock MA (a couple of missing sections) and I love it all. but what section in GA or NC would you recommend for us? what’s beautiful and/ or breathtaking?
many thanks
w w w
wild wooly wonder
Do the Smokies…Fontana Dam to Davenport Gap…extremely scenic and a great time. Also if you can travel to Tennessee, hike from Erwin to Damascus, extremely incredible and scenic.
Conan Is Gay
I would suggest the Nantahala Wilderness. That section is like a rain forest. One of the most unique stretches of the AT.
Loki
check into the bartram trail loop. 57 mile loop that includes the AT and the bartram trail. start at the NOC on the AT heading north to cheoah bald. from there take the bartram trail south back to the AT at wine spring bald just south of wayah bald and then take the AT back north to the NOC. the AT guide for NC/GA has a description but the map does not have the entire bartram trail on it, just the points where they cross at the balds. the nat’l geographic trails illustrated #784 - Fontana and Hiwassee Lakes map has them both.
jerm
I really enjoyed the section from Dick’s Gap to Neel’s Gap Some of that is quite easy & some more rugged & scenic. It’s all wonderful, though!
landcruiser
The above suggestion of hiking the Smokies is a good one, but you will need to plan ahead and make reservations for the shelters within 30 days of your trek. My wife and I enjoyed the hike between Dick’s Creek Gap (near Hiawassee, GA) to Wesser, NC (where the Nantahala Outdoor Center is located). You cross over the NC/GA line and see the famous border line sign and crooked tree. Also, you have an interesting climb up Albert Mountain. Wayah Bald has a pretty unique old fire tower, and Wesser Bald has a fire tower with just a sound flat floor with terrific 360o views. You end your hike at the hiker friendly NOC, with rafting, etc., if you like cold water. The mileage is around 68 miles, one way. You can park one car in Hiawassee and another at the NOC. Hope this helps.
Great hiking, PaPa Larry
PaPa Larry
~ Id have to say the stretch from Damascus to Pearisburg VA. It’s a physical start with fresh legs but it sounds as if you are both vetran hikers. Some great outcroppings and vista’s, not to maention the wild ponies. Wherever you go… ENJOY !
round here ~ KTR8)
KTR