The North Carolina section of the Appalachian Trail rises to spectacular summits — including the 6,643-foot Kuwohi, the highest mountain on the A.T. — and drops below 2,000 feet into the Nantahala River Gorge. The A.T. in North Carolina passes through the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. With over 13 million annual visitors, the Great Smoky Mountains is the most visited national park in the country.
96.5
A.T. Miles in State (217.8 shared on NC/TN border)
14
Shelters (27 shared on NC/TN border)
1,674'–6,643'
Elevation Range
CT, GA, ME, MD, MA, NH, NJ, NY, NC, PA, TN, VT, VA, WV | Alert
There are approximately 96 miles of the A.T. in North Carolina, but the Trail runs along the Tennessee/North Carolina border for approximately 220 additional miles. As the A.T. ascends to the High Country of the state line, hikers traverse the highest mountains along the Trail, including several above 6,000 feet.
Cleared by homesteaders in the 1800s, the 360-degree views from the 4,600-foot summit at Max Patch are exceptional and relatively easy to access. The open bald provides important early successional habitat for pollinators and birds – habitat that ATC and local partners have worked to rescue from overuse since 2017.
The A.T. also comes to the first town heading north that it passes directly through: the A.T. Community of Hot Springs.
Joe Martin
The section of the A.T. along the North Carolina-Tennessee border north of Great Smoky Mountains National Park sustained severe damage in Fall 2024 from Hurricane Helene.
Current Conditions
For backpacking in the Smokies, you’ll need an advance permit for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and depending on the length of your hike, shelter reservations as well. All backpackers are required to stay at designated sites and hang food, scented items, and trash from the provided bear cables. Learn more about food storage and bear safety on the Trail.
Food Storage & Bear Safety
The Carolina Mountain Club (CMC), the oldest Hiking and Trail Maintaining Club in Western N.C., fosters the enjoyment of the mountains of Western North Carolina and adjoining regions. CMC maintains 92.6 miles of the Appalachian Trail from Davenport Gap to Spivey Gap.
Carolina Mountain Club
The Nantahala Hiking Club (NHC) is one of 31 volunteer Appalachian Trail (AT) maintaining clubs of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC). The NHC maintains 58.6 miles of the AT from Bly Gap at the Georgia/North Carolina border to the Nantahala Outdoor Center on the Nantahala River at Wesser, NC. The club also maintains several trails that connect to the AT.
Nantahala Hiking Club
The Smoky Mountains Hiking Club, founded in 1924, is one of the oldest and largest hiking clubs in the southeastern United States. The SMHC has a long tradition of hiking, fellowship, volunteerism, and conservation, following in the footsteps of our famed and influential early leaders Harvey Broome, Carlos Campbell, Jim Thompson, Dutch Roth, and many others.
Become a MemberThere are 3 communities along the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina that have been recognized by the A.T. Community™ program. These towns are assets for everyone visiting the A.T. and nearby public lands, providing restaurants, supplies, recreation, historic resources, and much more!
Jake Tollet
The Smokies are breathtaking, but they’re also delicate. Learn what local Ridgerunners want every hiker to know to help keep this stretch of the A.T. clean, safe, and resilient for the next generation.
Read More
Take a look at these popular day hikes to explore in North Carolina
While the Appalachian Trail is a relatively safe place to visit, that does not mean that there are not potential dangers while you are hiking or camping. If you see something, say something — this will help us keep the A.T. as safe as possible for our visitors.
Incident Reporting
