The Appalachian Trail is always a safe haven for all those wanting to escape from their everyday hustle and bustle. Consider this your sign to unplug from work and routine, and head into the wilderness of North Carolina for 6 days! We’re lucky enough to call the mountains of Appalachia our home, and no matter how many times we get on the trail, it’s always such a unique and recharging experience. All backpacking equipment is provided, so there’s no need to buy your own gear. Join us for a scenic experience along the Appalachian Trail as we hike 50 miles through the mountains of North Carolina — bring your backpacking experience and good fitness, and we’ll handle the rest.
This 6-day backpacking trip along a portion of the Appalachian Trail covers approximately 50 miles through the wilderness of North Carolina. It's a strenuous trip, so prior backpacking experience and good fitness are required. Your guides made this adventure as hassle-free as possible, so all meals, trailhead transfers, and backpacking equipment (including tent, sleeping bag, pad, backpack, and trekking poles) are included.
Born in the Catskills of NY and raised in the Blue Ridge of NC, Adam has always called the mountains of Appalachia home. Having survived a childhood of blissful, unsupervised galavanting through the local woods, he derives great joy in sharing his love of the natural world with others, and has yet to meet an outdoor activity he doesn’t like!
Heidi grew up in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and after graduating from Winthrop University with a BFA in Painting and Printmaking, she found herself falling in love with hiking and the outdoors. She thru-hiked the A.T. in 2018 and kept a detailed sketchbook of watercolor paintings to document her travels. She has since hiked a number of shorter trails and enjoys finding new ways to incorporate her creative practice into hiking.
Born and raised in South Carolina, Amy grew up hiking in the Carolinas. Her love for backpacking started on the Appalachian Trail with her first overnight trip in 2012. Since then, she has thru hiked all of the triple crown trails - Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and Pacific Crest Trail - along with other trails throughout the US, totaling over 8,000 miles of backpacking.
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This Appalachian Trail backpacking trip is strenuous, offering full, rewarding days in mountainous terrain and is well-suited for hikers who are physically prepared for longer distances and sustained elevation gain and who have prior backpacking experience.
Participants should be able to complete a 14-mile day hike over hilly or mountainous terrain, or a 16-mile walk on flat ground.
Over 6 days, you’ll cover approximately 50 miles (80 km), and you can find day-by-day distances in the itinerary. Keep in mind that you’ll be carrying a 25-30 lb backpack, including food and water.
Hikers joining this trip should be confident enough on trail that they could spend some time separated from their guide if needed (for example, if the group separates because hiking paces are different).
You will receive a detailed packing list for this Appalachian Trail backpacking trip a few weeks before the trip, but here’s a good overview of what you need to bring:
You will not need a new set of clean clothes for each day, make-up, hair products, scented products or deodorant. Just bring a toothbrush and toothpaste and enjoy going all natural for the trip!
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Group sizes and pricing
Appalachian Trail backpacking trips can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to your Appalachian Trail backpacking trip, you first have to get to Hot Springs, NC. To get there, most people fly into Asheville Airport (AVL).
You’ll meet your guide a day prior to your hike (on Day 0), in the afternoon/evening. The exact point is Blue Ridge Hiking Company’s Appalachian Trail-er Bunkhouse (200 Lance Ave, Hot Springs, NC 28743), also your lodging for the night.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Deposits
Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.
Cancellations
Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.
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Super Flexible
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