Positioned in jap Alabama and western Georgia, the Pinhoti Nationwide Recreation Path is beloved by new and skilled thru-hikers for its lengthy mountaineering season, quirky path cities, and reasonable terrain.
Roughly that means “Turkey dwelling” 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 lovely ridge line views. Different pure beauties embrace 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 Japanese Continental Path. The Pinhoti will certainly present an enriching expertise, no matter what number of nights you spend.
Fast Details
- Distance: 351 miles
- Days Wanted: 2-4 weeks
- Peak Elevation: Buddy Cove Hole (3,164 ft)
- Low Elevation: Weogufka Creek space (545 ft)
- Elevation Acquire/Loss (approximate): 47,873 ft
- Finest Time to Journey: Fall – Spring
- Permits: None
- Problem: Troublesome (reasonable in comparison with different thru-hikes)
Highlights
- Effectively-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 facet journey
- Funky cities, numerous waterfalls, nice flora
Lowlights
- Two lengthy street walks with restricted tenting
- A number of water crossings are deep and fairly chilly within the winter (may very well be a swim spot spotlight in one other season)
- Many free farm canine will 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 via spring. Summer time within the southern Appalachian mountains will be scorching, buggy (ticky), and water sources are usually few and much between this time of the yr. Late fall can nonetheless be dry, however temperatures are cooler, and altering foliage could make for a lovely hike. Winters are delicate, with gentle dustings of snow and no bugs, making this an important low season thru-hike.
The dearth of leaves on the bushes additionally makes it simpler to soak up the views from the highest of a number of the ridges. Early spring is one other nice possibility because the temperatures are a bit hotter than winter, and wildflowers are ample.
Potential hikers ought to beware that tornadoes are most prevalent in Alabama throughout spring. One of many nice issues in regards to the lengthy mountaineering season and southern latitudes is that the Pinhoti can simply be hiked in both course. Mountain climbing it NOBO (northbound) or SOBO (southbound) is not going to considerably alter the expertise.
Problem of Path
Due to its well-marked and maintained footpath, the Pinhoti Path makes an important newbie or low season thru-hike. Nonetheless, potential hikers ought to hold just a few 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 could assist with stability. That mentioned, there are additionally many sections the place the path is made up of dust or leaves, making for nice strolling.
GRADIENT
The Pinhoti Path is usually a lot 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
Some of the difficult points of the Pinhoti Path is the 2 lengthy street strolling sections.
The path follows paved roads for 27 miles north of Dalton, Georgia, and about 30 miles north of Cave Springs, Georgia. Resulting from non-public property, tenting is proscribed alongside these street 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 street sections are definitely doable however require an extended day of mountaineering. Mountain climbing these sections southbound is barely extra interesting as a result of the street walks terminate in cities, so your pack may very well be near empty of meals rations.
TRIP LENGTH
For these desiring to thru-hike the Pinhoti, size is a crucial consideration. At 351 miles, this path is extra approachable for the common individual than different longer thru-hikes.
Correct planning and preparation make it potential 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 approach to scratch the itch for knowledgeable thru-hikers. This path may also 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 gives shuttles and paid parking for many who want a experience to the terminus. Many thru-hikers select to increase their journey to Amicalola Falls by way of 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 at first 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 Outside Middle is a good useful resource for hikers on the path’s southern finish, they usually 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 ought 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 Outside Middle, Mulberry Hole, or different places 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 places, common each 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 objectives, these mountaineering within the late spring, summer season, or early fall can cowl 15-20 miles per day. In the course of the winter and early spring, hikers ought to be ready to cope with poor climate situations and lengthy nights, which may considerably influence each day mileage. 10-15 miles per day tends to be a extra snug tempo for the common individual at the moment of yr.
SHELTERS & CAMPSITES
Whereas there are just a few shelters, tenting is probably the most dependable approach 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 yr, there’s a good probability that you’ll 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 lots of pretty spots alongside the path to pitch a tent. The leaf litter that’s ample on this a part of the nation makes for soft sleeping spots. Discovering a flat spot to pitch a tent was not too troublesome in our expertise. The most important difficulty is the shortage of authorized tenting alongside the Cave Springs and Dalton street walks because of non-public property.
Meals & Resupply Factors
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 the USA. This implies there are lots of places to resupply or simply choose up a snack throughout a break.
There are just a few spots the place hitchhiking is important to succeed in a city, and these locations can simply be prevented by carrying barely extra meals and buying meals from comfort shops. Listed here are the places 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)
Considered one of two cities that may 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 (practically zero mile-day) out and in of Talladega, there are lots of welcoming locals on the town who will make your keep an important one.
Don’t Miss: Subsequent Step Hostel
Heflin, AL (NOBO mile 113, SOBO mile 237)
Considered one of our favourite stops on the Pinhoti! The city of Heflin has an important relationship with thru-hikers. Hikers are inspired to name Heflin Metropolis Corridor to rearrange a experience, or you could select to hike the three.7-mile spur path into city. Path Angels on the town are joyful to supply 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 resort on the town and the 8 Acorns Hostel, which provides 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 good place to cease and recharge. Hikers can resupply at KC’s meals retailer, Greenback Normal, or ship a package deal to the submit 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 Normal, and Household Greenback, along with the submit 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 important place to hang around. The gazebo has retailers for recharging units.
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 numerous resupply choices.
Most hikers keep at one of many many chain lodges alongside I-75 to gear up for or chill out after the lengthy street stroll north of city. There are lots of 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 mountaineering the Pinhoti could not must cease at Mulberry Hole. Nonetheless, for hikers who plan to increase their hike on the Benton MacKaye Path, this can be a fantastic cease.
Mulberry Hole provides tenting, cabins, home-cooked meals, shuttles, and can maintain packages. We discovered the oldsters right here to be extraordinarily welcoming and type, 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 Normal at mile 21, Cheaha State Park, Citgo at mile 207, and the comfort shops alongside the Dalton street stroll. There’s now a Greenback Normal at Ramhurst, Pinhoti Path NOBO mile 307.
These places can be utilized in a pinch to resupply meals or a minimum of reduce how a lot meals must be carried when leaving a bigger city. Cheaha State Park is dear, however a pleasant deal with between all the climbing.
Security
DOGS
One frequent criticism in regards to the Pinhoti Path is the variety of free canine encountered throughout street walks. Many hikers have been barked at, and even bitten, by canine who’re guarding their property.
In our expertise, understanding canine habits goes an extended approach to stop a destructive interplay. Through the use of the next methods, we had been efficiently capable of cross quite a few free canine, even when mountaineering with our personal pups.
- Perceive that the majority canine are simply useful resource guarding their property; they aren’t 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, they usually really feel the strain of your presence.
- In the event that they hold working in the direction of you, apply strain to them by tapping your trekking pole on the bottom of their course, waving your hat at them, and/or utilizing a robust and assured voice to inform them off.
- Look ahead 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 strain as a problem. It’s at all times finest to provide house 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 purpose, we propose you allow your rig in a monitored spot just like the Pinhoti Outside Middle or Mulberry Hole.
Gear Checklist
Be certain that 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 intensive analysis and hands-on testing by our group of out of doors specialists.
BACKPACK
Conclusion
Traversing 350 miles from Alabama’s Flagg Mountain to the Georgia mountains, the Pinhoti provides 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 all the 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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