Appalachian Trail - North Carolina Active and Adventure Travel Guide

Appalachian Trail - North Carolina Active and Adventure Travel Guide

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The Appalachian Trail over Big Bald Mountain on the North Carolina/Tennessee border
The Appalachian Trail over Big Bald Mountain on the North Carolina/Tennessee border (David J. Burke/Appalachian Trail Conservancy)
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Appalachian Trail - North Carolina Active and Adventure Travel Tips

By Toby Gohn
  • Trail Stats: 311.8 Trail Miles (including 216.3 on NC/TN border), 14 Shelters (plus 30 shelters on NC/TN border)
  • North Carolina is where northbound hikers hit the big mountains for the first time, and these mountains get big in a hurry. The mixed forest and high peaks make for some dramatic views and hard hiking. Though none of the mountains are above tree line at this latitude, many of the peaks are in fact higher than the upper sections of the White Mountains in New Hampshire and the western ranges of Maine.
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States due to its proximity to many major eastern cities. Despite this, the rural setting is all encompassing once you’re in the park, with long views and beautiful ridgelines begging to be explored. The park boasts a healthy black bear population, but sadly air pollution and evergreen blight threaten or have already killed large swatches of conifers at higher elevations (particularly noticeable just south of Newfound Gap), reducing the bears’ natural habitat.
  • The Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) is a multisport outdoor destination set in some of the nicest mountains in the south. Many hikers can’t pass up the chance to paddle through the whitewater—rafting, kayaking, and hiking are all abundant in this area, and all can be outfitted at the NOC. The hiking through this section is deceptively challenging, with 6,643-foot Cheoah Bald in particular offering great views.
  • Recommended 3- to 4-Day Trip: Starting at Newfound Gap just up the mountain from Gatlinburg (think of Atlantic City in the mountains), this 42-mile hike starts out heading south through the big mountains of the mid Smokies. Less than ten miles in is Clingmans Dome, the highest point on the entire Appalachian Trail. The visitor tower at the summit affords views deep into Tennessee and North Carolina. Pressing on, you’ll pass over Silers Bald, Thunderhead, and eventually Shuckstack, before descending toward Fontana Dam, one of the few impressive manmade sights on the Appalachian Trail. Directions: U.S. 441 (Newfound Gap) near Gatlinburg, Tennessee, south to North Carolina 28 at Fontana Dam, North Carolina.

Guidebook: Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers' Companion (Appalachian Trail Conservancy)
Appalachian Trail: Georgia | North Carolina | Tennessee | Virginia | West Virginia | Maryland | Pennsylvania | New Jersey | New York | Connecticut | Massachusetts | Vermont | New Hampshire | Maine

Active and Adventure Overview: Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail is a multi-state public footpath across 2,175 miles of Appalachian Mountain ridgelines from Maine to Georgia. Roads that cross it for all but its northernmost 100 miles give ready access. The Trail is protected along more than 96 percent of its course by federal or state ownership of the land itself or by rights-of-way. Read More

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Hotels

Inn on Biltmore Estate

Best Resorts & Lodges
1 Antler Hill Rd.
Asheville, NC 28803 Map

Distance: 84.6 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0

Tsali Recreation Area Campground

c/o Cheoah Ranger District, Route 1, Box 16-A
Robbinsville, NC 28721 Map

Distance: 143.6 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0
4.0

DeSoto Falls Campground

Blue Ridge Ranger District, 1881 Hwy. 515
Blairsville, GA 30512 Map

Distance: 172.4 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0
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Attractions

Nolichucky River Gorge

expert favorite attraction
Cherokee National Forest (TN) and Pisgah National Forest (NC)


Distance: 50.3 mi. (from destination center)

Description: The Nolichucky River Gorge stretches for 110 miles and offers Class I-IV whitewater. ... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
4_0

Clingmans Dome

expert favorite attraction
c/o Great Smoky Mountains National Park,107 Park Headquarters Road
Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738

Distance: 116.0 mi. (from destination center)

Description:

At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
5_0

Nantahala Outdoor Center

expert favorite attraction
13077 Highway 19 West
Bryson City, North Carolina 28713

Distance: 134.0 mi. (from destination center)
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
4_0
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Airports

Major Airports near Appalachian Trail - North Carolina

Distance (mi.)
Charlotte Douglas Airport 108.7 map
Greensboro Piedmont Triad International Airport 109.6 map
Raleigh/Durham Airport 176.1 map

Other Smaller Airports near Appalachian Trail - North Carolina

Distance (mi.)
Bristol/Johnson City/Kingsport Tri-Cities Regional Airport 34.4 map
Bluefield Mercer County/Princeton Airport 57.6 map
Asheville Regional/Hendersonville Airport 91.7 map

Flight Deals to Appalachian Trail - North Carolina

Originating From
Baltimore (BWI) to Charlotte (CLT) $104
Orlando (ORL) to Charlotte (CLT) $143
New York City (NYC) to Charlotte (CLT) $144
Philadelphia (PHL) to Charlotte (CLT) $157
Buffalo (BUF) to Charlotte (CLT) $158

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