APPALACHIAN TRAIL

LOCATION: Western North Carolina
HIKE STARTS: Bly Gap (GA/NC Border)
HIKE ENDS: Rock Gap
TOTAL DISTANCE: 27.5 Miles
HIKE TYPE: One Way, Shuttle Hike
HIKE DIFFICULTY: Difficult
TRAILS USED: Appalachian Trail
TRAIL TRAFFIC: Heavy
TRIP TYPE: Multi-Day Hike
MANAGEMENT: Nantahala NF

HIGHLIGHTS: This is the first section of the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina which starts in Bly Gap at the border with Georgia. Standing Indian at 5,498 feet is the first place the A.T. goes above 5,000 feet for the northbound hiker, and it has excellent views from a grassy area (and former site of a fire tower). Albert Mountain is the next major climb in this section, and the fire tower is still standing on the mountain (although the enclosed top is locked and off limits to hikers.) Albert has 360 degree views of the Blue Ridge, the Little Tennessee Valley and the Nantahala National Forest.

Appalachian Trail North Carolina Guidebook

Appalachian Trail North Carolina Map

MORE DETAILS

	click to see trail photos from this backpacking trip in North Carolina: April 19-21, 1994
	click to see more trail photos from this area in the Nantahala National Forest: January 26, 2002
	click to view a trail journal from this section of the A.T. starting at Bly Gap: April 19-21, 1994
	click to view maps of this Appalachian Trail hike ending at Rock Gap: area map, detailed map, profile map*
	click for more information on the Appalachian Trail
	click for the Long Trail discussion forum
	click for the Southeastern Destinations discussion forum
	click for Appalachian Trail hiking and backpacking books
	click to access the guidebook Appalachian Trail: Georgia-North Carolina which has details on this destination
	click for other North Carolina hiking and backpacking books
	click for other hikes on the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina
	click here to add your hike, trip report, or feedback for this destination
	note, the * indicates these items are not linked but coming soon