Positioned in japanese Alabama and western Georgia, the Pinhoti Nationwide Recreation Path is beloved by new and skilled thru-hikers for its lengthy mountain climbing season, quirky path cities, and average terrain.
Roughly that means “Turkey residence” within the Native American Creek language, hikers can anticipate to come across turkeys, canine, and even bears on the Pinhoti Path. Cheaha State Park and the Mount Dugard Wilderness are only a few locations the place hikers can be rewarded with stunning ridge line views. Different pure beauties embody numerous waterfalls alongside the path.
Some thru-hikers hike this path as a part of an extended journey, persevering with on to Amicalola Falls, the Appalachian Path, and even connecting to the Jap Continental Path. The Pinhoti will certainly present an enriching expertise, no matter what number of nights you spend.
Fast Info
- Distance: 351 miles
- Days Wanted: 2-4 weeks
- Peak Elevation: Buddy Cove Hole (3,164 ft)
- Low Elevation: Weogufka Creek space (545 ft)
- Elevation Achieve/Loss (approximate): 47,873 ft
- Finest Time to Journey: Fall – Spring
- Permits: None
- Problem: Tough (average in comparison with different thru-hikes)
Highlights
- Properly-marked and maintained
- Delicate winter climate (nice low season possibility)
- Clear, well-built shelters
- Frequent resupply factors and comfort shops alongside the route
- Termini are all inside two hours of metro areas for simpler entry
- Cheaha Mountain, the best level in Alabama, is a straightforward aspect journey
- Funky cities, a lot of waterfalls, nice flora
Lowlights
- Two lengthy highway walks with restricted tenting
- A number of water crossings are deep and fairly chilly within the winter (could possibly be a swim spot spotlight in one other season)
- Many unfastened farm canine might be intimidating for some hikers.
- Automobile break-ins at trailheads are reported
- Southern portion of the path is surprisingly dry in the summertime
Finest Time to Hike
Although the Pinhoti is one of some trails that may be hiked year-round, it’s best skilled from fall by way of spring. Summer time within the southern Appalachian mountains might be scorching, buggy (ticky), and water sources are usually few and much between this time of the 12 months. Late fall can nonetheless be dry, however temperatures are cooler, and altering foliage could make for a wonderful hike. Winters are delicate, with gentle dustings of snow and no bugs, making this an awesome low season thru-hike.
The shortage of leaves on the bushes additionally makes it simpler to soak up the views from the highest of among the ridges. Early spring is one other nice possibility because the temperatures are a bit hotter than winter, and wildflowers are considerable.
Potential hikers ought to beware that tornadoes are most prevalent in Alabama throughout spring. One of many nice issues concerning the lengthy mountain climbing season and southern latitudes is that the Pinhoti can simply be hiked in both route. Mountaineering it NOBO (northbound) or SOBO (southbound) won’t considerably alter the expertise.
Problem of Path
Because of its well-marked and maintained footpath, the Pinhoti Path makes an awesome newbie or low season thru-hike. Nonetheless, potential hikers ought to preserve a number of issues in thoughts:
TERRAIN
Like a lot of the Appalachian Mountains, the Pinhoti has sections coated with roots or rocks layered in leaves. These sections require extra focus to keep away from slipping or rolling an ankle, and trekking poles might assist with stability. That mentioned, there are additionally many sections the place the path is made up of filth or leaves, making for nice strolling.
GRADIENT
The Pinhoti Path is usually significantly better graded than different hikes within the Appalachian Mountains, such because the AT, Lengthy Path, or Benton McKaye Path. Whereas there are nonetheless many ups and downs, the path is shorter with extra flat sections, and a few steep sections are eased with switchbacks.
ROAD SECTIONS
One of the crucial difficult points of the Pinhoti Path is the 2 lengthy highway strolling sections.
The path follows paved roads for 27 miles north of Dalton, Georgia, and about 30 miles north of Cave Springs, Georgia. As a result of non-public property, tenting is restricted alongside these highway walks. Whereas the routes are blazed and formally acknowledged as a part of the path, many thru-hikers select to hitch round them for bodily, security, and/or logistical causes.
These highway sections are actually doable however require a protracted day of mountain climbing. Mountaineering these sections southbound is barely extra interesting as a result of the highway walks terminate in cities, so your pack could possibly be near empty of meals rations.
TRIP LENGTH
For these meaning to thru-hike the Pinhoti, size is a vital consideration. At 351 miles, this path is extra approachable for the common individual than different longer thru-hikes.
Correct planning and preparation make it doable to finish the Pinhoti Path utilizing PTO or stacked trip time. Whereas any thru-hike requires a monetary funding, bodily fortitude, and loads of logistics, it’s a nice introduction to long-distance backpacking or a method to scratch the itch for skilled thru-hikers. This path also can simply be accomplished in sections.
Getting There
NORTHERN TERMINUS
The northern terminus is among the most distant sections of the Pinhoti Path. It begins on the Benton MacKaye Path close to Elijay, Georgia. To get there, hike from Jacks River Area campground or Buddy Cove Hole.
Mulberry Hole Journey Base Camp offers shuttles and paid parking for individuals who want a experience to the terminus. Many thru-hikers select to increase their journey to Amicalola Falls through the Benton MacKaye Path.
SOUTHERN TERMINUS
Proclaimed the southernmost peak within the Appalachian Mountains, Flagg Mountain marks the southern finish of the Pinhoti Path. A brick lookout tower perched on prime of the mountain makes for a memorable landmark in the beginning or finish of the path.
For hikers from out of city, Flagg Mountain is situated about an hour and a half from Birmingham, AL, and the closest city to the terminus is Weogufka. The Pinhoti Out of doors Middle is a superb useful resource for hikers on the path’s southern finish, and so they supply shuttle rides to the terminus.
TRAILHEADS
There are numerous trailheads and entry factors alongside the route, particularly alongside highways and in parks. Part hikers needs to be conscious that a number of hikers have had their automobiles damaged into whereas parked at trailheads. For longer journeys, parking on the Pinhoti Out of doors Middle, Mulberry Hole, or different areas the place the automobile could also be monitored is a good suggestion.
Planning your Itinerary
Being versatile could make all of the distinction within the enjoyment and completion of a thru-hike. That mentioned, being aware of resupply areas, common day by day mileage, is useful. As a result of gentler inclines and smoother path tread, it’s simpler to cowl extra miles on the Pinhoti Path than within the northern Appalachian mountains.
Relying on health and pacing targets, these mountain climbing within the late spring, summer time, or early fall can cowl 15-20 miles per day. Through the winter and early spring, hikers needs to be ready to cope with poor climate situations and lengthy nights, which might considerably affect day by day mileage. 10-15 miles per day tends to be a extra snug tempo for the common individual at the moment of 12 months.
SHELTERS & CAMPSITES
Whereas there are a number of shelters, tenting is essentially the most dependable method to spend the night time on the path. There are 9 marked shelters on the Pinhoti Path, with the bulk between I-20 and the Georgia state line. These shelters are all comparatively new, clear, and well-maintained.
Relying on the time of 12 months, there’s a good likelihood that you should have all of them to your self. On our thru-hike, we by no means noticed different hikers on the shelters.
As for tenting, there are numerous pretty spots alongside the path to pitch a tent. The leaf litter that’s considerable on this a part of the nation makes for soft sleeping spots. Discovering a flat spot to pitch a tent was not too tough in our expertise. The largest concern is the dearth of authorized tenting alongside the Cave Springs and Dalton highway walks as a consequence of non-public property.
FOOD & RESUUPLY POINTS
Although the Pinhoti Path traverses extra rural areas of the southeast, roads and comfort shops are extra frequent than within the western a part of america. This implies there are numerous areas to resupply or simply decide up a snack throughout a break.
There are only some spots the place hitchhiking is critical to succeed in a city, and these locations can simply be averted by carrying barely extra meals and buying meals from comfort shops. Listed here are the areas the place we despatched resupply packages or spent extra time on the town (from north to south):
Talladega, AL (NOBO mile ~60, SOBO mile 290)
One in every of two cities that can require a hitch, Talladega has a inhabitants of round 15,000 and a number of facilities to assist a hiker out. Walmart, Piggly Wiggly, and a number of greenback shops supply boundless resupply choices and an awesome array of quick meals chains. Whereas we selected to n nero (almost zero mile-day) out and in of Talladega, there are numerous welcoming locals on the town who will make your keep an awesome one.
Don’t Miss: Subsequent Step Hostel
Heflin, AL (NOBO mile 113, SOBO mile 237)
One in every of our favourite stops on the Pinhoti! The city of Heflin has an awesome relationship with thru-hikers. Hikers are inspired to name Heflin Metropolis Corridor to rearrange a experience, or it’s possible you’ll select to hike the three.7-mile spur path into city. Path Angels on the town are pleased to offer rides to assist with resupplying, and it’s a custom to have your picture taken subsequent to the Heflin mural.
Whereas we selected to save cash by tenting at Cahulga Creek Park, there’s a lodge on the town and the 8 Acorns Hostel, which presents shuttles.
Don’t Miss: Heflin Metropolis Corridor, Rhythm Cafe, Elevated Grounds, Rattling Yankees, Vallarta Genuine Mexican
Cave Spring, GA (NOBO mile 190, SOBO mile 160)
Small in measurement, however situated proper on path, Cave Spring is a superb place to cease and recharge. Hikers can resupply at KC’s meals retailer, Greenback Common, or ship a package deal to the publish workplace. Southern Taste is a well-liked restaurant amongst thru-hikers as is the historic Hearn Inn.
Don’t Miss: Southern Taste, Hearn Inn
Summerville, GA (NOBO mile 232, SOBO mile 118)
Summerville is a small however full-service city situated roughly 4 miles from the path by automotive. As a result of shut proximity and entry to the nationwide forest, we had no issues turning this city cease right into a nero to avoid wasting cash on lodging.
Ingles, Greenback Common, and Household Greenback, along with the publish workplace, present ample resupply choices. There are a number of regionally owned and chain eating places on the town for a scorching meal. We significantly appreciated the JR Dick Dowdy park throughout the road from Ingles as an awesome place to hang around. The gazebo has shops for recharging gadgets.
Don’t Miss: JR Dick Dowdy Park
Dalton, GA (NOBO mile 285, SOBO mile 65)
Dalton is a full-service metropolis situated proper off of I-75. Due to its measurement, it isn’t as walkable or as pleasant as many different stops on the Pinhoti Path. The trade-off is that it comes with a lot of resupply choices.
Most hikers keep at one of many many chain lodges alongside I-75 to gear up for or calm down after the lengthy highway stroll north of city. There are various chain quick meals eating places and a Kroger grocery retailer inside a half mile to a mile from the interstate. Different facilities exist, however are farther from the Pinhoti.
Mulberry Hole, GA (NOBO mile 330, SOBO mile 20)
These simply mountain climbing the Pinhoti might not must cease at Mulberry Hole. Nonetheless, for hikers who plan to increase their hike on the Benton MacKaye Path, it is a great cease.
Mulberry Hole presents tenting, cabins, home-cooked meals, shuttles, and can maintain packages. We discovered the oldsters right here to be extraordinarily welcoming and sort, along with providing in a single day parking.
Don’t Miss: Mulberry Hole Journey Base Camp
Bonus snack Notes: We additionally picked up snacks on the Greenback Common at mile 21, Cheaha State Park, Citgo at mile 207, and the comfort shops alongside the Dalton highway stroll. There’s now a Greenback Common at Ramhurst, Pinhoti Path NOBO mile 307.
These areas can be utilized in a pinch to resupply meals or at the least reduce how a lot meals must be carried when leaving a bigger city. Cheaha State Park is dear, however a pleasant deal with between the entire climbing.
SAFETY
DOGS
One frequent criticism concerning the Pinhoti Path is the variety of unfastened canine encountered throughout highway walks. Many hikers have been barked at, and even bitten, by canine who’re guarding their property.
In our expertise, understanding canine conduct goes a protracted method to forestall a detrimental interplay. Through the use of the next methods, we had been efficiently in a position to go quite a few unfastened canine, even when mountain climbing with our personal pups.
- Perceive that almost all canine are simply useful resource guarding their property; they don’t seem to be aggressive in the way in which most animal behaviorists would outline the phrase.
- When approached by a canine, flip and face them straight whereas standing tall. Don’t run away or face them sideways. This tells the canine(s) that you simply imply enterprise, and so they really feel the stress of your presence.
- In the event that they preserve working in direction of you, apply stress to them by tapping your trekking pole on the bottom of their route, waving your hat at them, and/or utilizing a powerful and assured voice to inform them off.
- Look forward to them to cease and/or flip round. If they begin following you, repeat steps 2-3. By this level, most canine will act uncertain (they’ll decrease their tail and ears).
- Livestock guardian canine and actually aggressive canines take stress as a problem. It’s all the time greatest to offer area to keep away from confrontation.
CAREFUL WITH YOUR CAR
We’ve heard that hikers have returned to their automobiles solely to search out they’ve been ransacked. For that cause, we advise you permit your rig in a monitored spot just like the Pinhoti Out of doors Middle or Mulberry Hole.
Backpacking Gear – What to Pack
Gear Checklist
Ensure to take a look at our Final Backpacking Guidelines so that you don’t overlook one thing necessary.
Under you’ll discover our present favourite backpacking gear. If you wish to see further choices, our curated gear guides are the results of a few years of in depth analysis and hands-on testing by our workforce of out of doors consultants.
BACKPACK
Conclusion
Traversing 350 miles from Alabama’s Flagg Mountain to the Georgia mountains, the Pinhoti presents not solely a bodily problem but in addition an immersion within the area’s pure magnificence and wealthy historical past, from dense forests and rocky ascents to tranquil streams and panoramic vistas.
Whether or not you hike a brief part or go for your entire path, the Pinhoti rewards each traveler with a way of accomplishment, solitude, and a deeper appreciation for the untamed spirit of the southeast.
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