Embark on an all-women's backpacking adventure to Max Patch for 3 days, covering 20 miles. Enjoy panoramic vistas and camaraderie amidst early fall colors and experience the Appalachian Trail on a 2-night trip to Max Patch. This tour is perfect for all levels as you’ll learn backpacking skills and create cherished memories.
Arrive in Hot Springs, NC in the afternoon or evening hours and meet your guides at their bunkhouse. Pack your things for tomorrow and have a good rest at the bunkhouse for the night.
You can also meet your guides in the morning of Day 1 if this suits you better.
No meals are included on this day.
Meet your guide and fellow hikers at 9am 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 11am, you’ll shuttle to the trailhead to start your hike (drive time is 1 hour). You’ll hike to Max Patch for lunch, then continue to your campsite at Walnut Mountain.
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Hiking: 7 mi/ 6 km
Elevation gain: 1,000 ft/ 305 m
Elevation loss: 1,100 ft/ 335 m
Wake up and break camp. Day 2 covers mostly rolling terrain, with a couple of challenging climbs throughout the day (up Bluff Mountain and Deer Park Mountain).
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 10 mi/ 16 km
Elevation gain: 1,350 ft/ 415 m
Elevation loss: 3,300 ft/ 415 m
Wake up and break camp. Start your hike with a short uphill section, then descend into the town of Hot Springs. Hike generally finishes early in the afternoon on the last day.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Hiking: 3 mi/ 5 km
Elevation gain: 400 ft/ 121 m
Elevation loss: 1,400 ft/ 430 m
Itinerary is subject to change based on a variety of factors, including weather, trail conditions, and participants needs and abilities. Please inform us ahead of time if you have a time constraint on the last day of your trip.
