Appalachian Trail Extended Backpacking Trip

Things to know

• What’s included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • 6-day Appalachian Trail extended backpacking trip
    • Backpacking gear
      • Backpacks (lightweight 60L packs)
      • Tents (either a one-person tent or a two-person tent if you’re sharing with a partner or a friend)
      • Sleeping bag (20-degree synthetic sleeping bag with sleeping bag liners)
      • Sleeping pad (closed-cell foam pad—excellent combination of weight and durability)
      • Trekking poles
    • Bunkhouse lodging the night before the hike (Day 0) and on Day 4
    • Community gear (water filters, camping stoves and fuel, bowls, utensils and cups; trowels, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer; first aid kit; navigational aids)
    • Food while you’re on trail, from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 6 (including dinner in town on Day 4)
    • Transportation between the meetup location and the trailhead
    • All necessary backcountry permits

  What’s not included:

  • • Transportation to/from Hot Springs, NC
    • Personal items (clothing, shoes, headlamp, water bottles…)
    • Dinner on Day 0 and breakfast on Day 1
    • Optional town breakfast on Day 5
    • Inflatable sleeping pads — available for an additional fee
    • Guide gratuities — optional
    • Travel and medical insurance — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  If you’d like to join this Appalachian Trail backpacking trip, you should have previous hiking experience as well as good fitness. This means that you’re active 3-5 times a week (like walking for 30 minutes) or you’re someone who works an active job. It’s also useful if you’ve already backpacked or camped before, but it’s not required.

  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).

• What do I need to bring?

  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:

  • • Comfortable hiking clothing (synthetic or wool rather than cotton)
    • Comfortable trail shoes (better than heavy hiking boots)
    • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
    • Spare clothes for layering
    • Waterproof rain jacket
    • Beanie and lightweight gloves
    • Personal medication
    • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, etc.)
    • Headlamp or flashlight — available to purchase at a discounted rate
    • Inflatable pillow — available to purchase at a discounted rate
    • Stuff sacks — available to purchase at a discounted rate
    • Sunglasses
    • Camera — optional (but recommended)

  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!

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and pricing

  • • For this Appalachian Trail backpacking trip, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1 (or up to 9 hikers per guide on a private trip).
    • It takes a minimum of 2 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 6 participants for group tours or 9 participants for private tours.
    • Private trips are offered year-round.
    • The tour is confirmed at the latest 30 days prior to the departure date. The trip is bookable up to two weeks before the departure date.

  Appalachian Trail backpacking trips can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the Appalachian Trail backpacking trip on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
    • Families with kids younger than mid-teens are encouraged to book a private trip.

  If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to your Appalachian Trail backpacking trip, you first have to get to Hot Springs, NC. To get there, most people fly into Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), which is a 2-hour drive from Hot Springs.

  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.

• Safety measures and insurance

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, we partnered up with Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

  Redpoint tailors their insurance 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.

  Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s insurance. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Deposits

  You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

  Cancellations

  Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

  Basic

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Flexible

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 30-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Super Flexible

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 30 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.