Appalachian Trail #3 (Wallace Gap to Fontana Dam)
Location: Western North Carolina
Trip Starts: Wallace Gap
Trip 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
More Information:
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
799 West Washington Street
Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
(304) 535-6331
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.
More Details:
- click to view a short video slideshow of my 1994 hike on the Appalachian Trail
- click to see trail photos from this backpacking trip along the Appalachian Trail: April 22-27, 1994
- click to view a detailed trail journal from this section of trail in North Carolina: April 22-27, 1994
- click to view maps of this hike along the A.T.: Wallace Gap to Fontana Dam Area Map, Wallace Gap to Licklog Gap Profile Map (password required), Burningtown Gap to NOC Profile Map (password required), NOC to Stecoah Gap Profile Map (password required), Stecoah Gap to Cable Gap Profile Map (password required), Cable Gap to Fontana Profile Map (password required), GA/NC Border to Wallace Gap Trail Map (password required)
- 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
