AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Green Gap–Appalachian Trail, 7 sights

13.1 mi · ▲ 4,107 ft · 6 hr 25 min

Green Gap–Appalachian Trail, 7 sights is a 13.1-mile out-and-back near Fontana Village, NC. The route reaches Green Gap. It climbs 4,107 ft, with sections as steep as 30% grade. It scores 57/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi1,818 – 3,737 ft · steepest grade: 30%14.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Goldbranch Court 35.43568, -83.81919
Nearest town Fontana Village, NC
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Green Gap–Appalachian Trail, 7 sights

13.1 mi · ▲ 4,107 ft · 6 hr 25 min

Elevation 1,817–3,736 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: Goldbranch Court · 35.43568, -83.81919

Weather Sep 6: sunrise 7:12 AM · sunset 7:57 PM

Dogs allowed on leash · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Goldbranch Court, heading N.
  2. 0.1 miSharp right onto Hoor Hollow Trail, heading SE.
  3. 0.1 miTurn right onto Fairhaven Court, heading SW.
  4. 450 ftSharp right onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading SW.
  5. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Substation Road, heading W.
  6. 400 ftContinue straight onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading S.
  7. 50 ftBear left onto Fontana Loop Trail, heading S.
  8. 50 ftTurn right onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading S.
  9. 250 ftBear left onto Squatter Trail, heading W.
  10. 50 ftBear right onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading W.
  11. 50 ftBear left onto Squatter Trail, heading W.
  12. 50 ftContinue straight onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading W.
  13. 50 ftTurn right onto Squatter Trail, heading W.
  14. 50 ftTurn left onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading W.
  15. 50 ftContinue straight onto Squatter Trail, heading W.
  16. 50 ftContinue straight onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading W.
  17. 50 ftContinue straight onto Fontana Loop Trail, heading W.
  18. 50 ftBear left onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading W.
  19. 100 ftBear left onto Whiting Rail Trail, heading W.
  20. 50 ftBear left onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading SW.
  21. 50 ftContinue straight onto Whiting Rail Trail, heading SW.
  22. 50 ftContinue straight onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading SW.
  23. 350 ftBear left onto Whiting Rail Trail, heading SW.
  24. 50 ftContinue straight onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading SW.
  25. 0.1 miSharp right onto Whiting Rail Trail, heading SE.
  26. 50 ftTurn left onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading SE.
  27. 0.2 miBear left onto Lookout Rock Trail, heading W.
  28. 0.4 miPass Green Gap.
  29. 250 ftBear left onto Yellow Creek Mountain Trail, heading NW.
  30. 1.5 miContinue straight onto Appalachian Trail, heading NE.
  31. 3.5 miReach Green Gap, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  32. 3.5 miContinue straight onto Yellow Creek Mountain Trail, heading W.
  33. 1.5 miBear right onto Lookout Rock Trail, heading SW.
  34. 0.5 miBear right onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading W.
  35. 0.2 miTurn right onto Whiting Rail Trail, heading W.
  36. 50 ftSharp left onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading W.
  37. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Whiting Rail Trail, heading W.
  38. 50 ftBear right onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading W.
  39. 300 ftContinue straight onto Whiting Rail Trail, heading NW.
  40. 50 ftContinue straight onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading NW.
  41. 50 ftBear right onto Whiting Rail Trail, heading NW.
  42. 50 ftBear right onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading NW.
  43. 100 ftBear right onto Fontana Loop Trail, heading NW.
  44. 50 ftContinue straight onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading NW.
  45. 50 ftContinue straight onto Squatter Trail, heading NW.
  46. 50 ftContinue straight onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading NW.
  47. 50 ftTurn right onto Squatter Trail, heading NW.
  48. 50 ftTurn left onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading NW.
  49. 50 ftContinue straight onto Squatter Trail, heading W.
  50. 50 ftBear right onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading W.
  51. 50 ftBear left onto Squatter Trail, heading NW.
  52. 50 ftBear right onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading W.
  53. 300 ftTurn left onto Fontana Loop Trail, heading W.
  54. 50 ftBear right onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading W.
  55. 50 ftContinue straight onto Substation Road, heading W.
  56. 450 ftContinue straight onto Benton MacKaye Trail, heading W.
  57. 0.2 miSharp left onto Fairhaven Court, heading NE.
  58. 450 ftTurn left onto Hoor Hollow Trail, heading NE.
  59. 0.1 miSharp left onto Goldbranch Court, heading SE.
  60. 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 map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/green-gap-appalachian-trail-out-back-7-sights-21-km-03e9

Trail surface

55% dirt3% gravel1% paved41% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:12 AMSunset 7:57 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.3 mi in (~102 min). Leave by 5:55 PM for the 7:57 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:12 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Goldbranch Court Trailhead

Hikes near Fontana Village, North Carolina