This 6-day backpacking trip along a portion of the Appalachian Trail covers approximately 50 miles through the wilderness of North Carolina. Join us for an unforgettable retreat to the backcountry, and don’t worry if you don’t have experience with overnights in the woods—we’ll teach you everything you need to know, but keep in mind that good fitness and being comfortable in the wild are still a must! 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.
Make your way to Hot Springs, NC. Arrive somewhere in the afternoon/evening. Lodging for tonight is provided at our bunkhouse, so you have enough time to relax and rest from your trip, and be fresh for tomorrow.
Accommodation: Appalachian Trail Bunkhouse
Meet your guide and fellow hikers at 8am to start your trip! Your trip begins with a pack shakedown. Your guide will pass out your gear and food, and will teach you how to pack your backpack and will go through what you’ve packed to make sure you don’t bring too many extra items. Around 10am, you’ll shuttle to the trailhead to start your hike (drive time is 1 hour). You’ll hike from the I40 underpass up Snowbird Mountain to Groundhog Creek.
Meals: Lunch and dinner
Hiking: 7 miles / 11 km
Elevation gain: +2,800 ft / +855 m
Elevation loss: -1,400 ft / -4250 m
Accommodation: One or two-person tents
Wake up and break down camp. Day 2 crosses Max Patch around midday, offering beautiful views and a great spot for a break!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 9 miles / 14.5 km
Elevation gain: +2,200 ft / +670 m
Elevation loss: -1,000 ft / -305 m
Accommodation: One or two-person tents
Day 3 has challenging climbs up Walnut Mountain and Bluff Mountain, before camping at Old Road.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 10 miles / 16 km
Elevation gain: +1,700 ft / +520 m
Elevation loss: -3,100 ft / -945 m
Accommodation: One or two-person tents
Hike up Deer Park Mountain then down into Hot Springs, where the group will stay overnight at our bunkhouse and resupply. Enjoy a mid-trip dinner in town (included in trip price)!
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 7 miles / 11 km
Elevation gain: +700 ft / +215 m
Elevation loss: -2,000 ft / -610 m
Accommodation: Appalachian Trail Bunkhouse
Grab breakfast at our bunkhouse (included in trip price) or in town (not included in trip price) before continuing on the second half of your hike. Start with a challenging climb up Lovers Leap over the French Broad River, cross Tanyard Gap, and camp near Rich Mountain Fire Tower.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 8 miles / 13 km
Elevation gain: +2,700 ft / +825 m
Elevation loss: -500 ft / -150 m
Accommodation: One or two-person tents
Hike to the Allen Gap trailhead, where you’ll take a shuttle back to our bunkhouse. Hike generally finishes mid-afternoon on the last day. Itinerary is subject to change based on a variety of factors, including weather, trail conditions, and participants needs and abilities. Please inform our admin team ahead of time if you have a time constraint on the last day of your trip.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Hiking: 7 miles / 11 km
Elevation gain: +1,000 ft / +305 m
Elevation loss: -2,300 ft / -700 m
Accommodation: One or two-person tents
Itinerary is subject to change depending on campsite availability and the securing of permits. Itineraries will be finalized 25 days at the latest before the trip departure.
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
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).
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!
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 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!