Appalachian Trail
14.8 mi · ▲ 3,896 ft · 6 hr 53 min
Appalachian Trail is a 14.8-mile out-and-back near Fontana Village, NC. It climbs 3,896 ft, with sections as steep as 24% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 52/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Appalachian Trail
14.8 mi · ▲ 3,896 ft · 6 hr 53 min
Elevation 1,713–3,736 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: 35.44908, -83.79655
Weather Sep 5: Fog, high 92°F / low 70° · precip 16% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 7:11 AM · sunset 7:58 PM
Dogs allowed on leash · Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading E.
- 150 ftBear left, heading E.
- 50 ftBear right, heading E.
- 50 ftSharp left onto Appalachian Trail, heading E.
- 1.6 miTurn right onto Old Fontana Forest Road, heading E.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Appalachian Trail, heading E.
- 5.8 miReach Appalachian Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 5.8 miTurn right onto Old Fontana Forest Road, heading SE.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Appalachian Trail, heading SE.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading W.
- 1.4 miSharp right, heading SW.
- 50 ftBear left, heading SW.
- 50 ftBear right, heading SW.
- 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 3.0 mi in (~111 min). Leave by 5:48 PM for the 7:58 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:36 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint
Good to know
- Dogs allowed on leash
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Drinking water at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Appalachian Trail 2.9 mi · ▲ 418 ft
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