 At
numerous places the Appalachian
Trail weaves back and forth across the
Tennessee & North Carolina border which makes it
difficult to try to separate these two states
mileage.
The 381+ miles of
Appalachian Trail that crosses Tennessee and North
Carolina are virtually all on either National Forest
or National Park property. In the Great Smoky
Mountains National Park you cross the highest
elevation point of
the Appalachian Trail and Tennessee,
Clingman's Dome. At 6,643' it is also the
highest point east of the Mississippi River.
The AT doesn't cross
actual peak of Clingman's Dome, but passes
within yards of it. You can of course step off the
trail and walk over to the peak. Most hikers opt to visit the
open air observation tower at the top of Clingman's
Dome.
For discussion sake the Tennessee, North Carolina
section is broken into three parts;
- Nantahala - miles
-
Smoky Mountain - 71 miles
- Cherokee/Pisgah - miles
AT Through North Carolina & Tennessee At
A Glance
After leaving Georgia
and the
Chattahoochee National Forest you enter the Nantahala National Forest. From Nantahala National
Forest you enter the
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and from
the Smoky Mountains you enter the
Cherokee National Forest and weave your way back
and forth between Cherokee and Pisgah National
Forest.
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