APPALACHIAN TRAIL

LOCATION: Western North Carolina
HIKE STARTS: Wallace Gap
HIKE ENDS: Fontana Dam
TOTAL DISTANCE: 59.8 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: The Appalachian Trail passes near the town of Franklin, North Carolina and crosses some classic southern balds on the mountains of Siler, Wesser, and Cheoah in this sixty mile traverse of the Nantahala National Forest. The Nantahala River and N.O.C. (Nantahala Outdoor Center) are nice stops on the route to Fontana Dam, which at 480 feet, is the end of this section and the start of the A.T. in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern AppalachiansAppalachian Trail North Carolina Guidebook Nantahala Trail MapAppalachian Trail North Carolina Map

MORE DETAILS

bullet click to see trail photos from this backpacking trip along the Appalachian Trail: April 22-27, 1994
bullet click to view a detailed trail journal from this section of trail in North Carolina: April 22-27, 1994
bullet click to view maps of this hike along the A.T.: area map, detailed map, profile map*
bullet click for more information on the Appalachian Trail
bullet click for the Long Trail discussion forum
bullet click for the Southeastern Destinations discussion forum
bullet click for Appalachian Trail hiking and backpacking books
bullet click to access the guidebook Appalachian Trail: Georgia-North Carolina which has details on this destination
bullet click for other North Carolina hiking and backpacking books
bullet click for other hikes on the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina
bullet click here to add your hike, trip report, or feedback for this destination
bullet note, the * indicates these items are not linked but coming soon