It’s understandable why the Appalachian Trail (AT) gets all the glory when it comes to East Coast hiking. America’s first thru-hike definitely deserves its holy grail status, but its legendary reputation sometimes overshadows other trails. As magnificent as the AT is, there are plenty of other trails in the Southeast that are worth exploring.
Hikers can often adventure in this temperate region year-round, and there are many organized trail coalitions with helpful resources for backpackers. We rounded up five trails from Florida to Tennessee, each with its own flavor and feel.
Whether you’re about to embark on your first multiday trip or you’re a seasoned, hardened thru-hiker, there’s a trail with your name on it. Check out these five top-notch thru-hikes (that aren’t the AT) below, with tips and tricks for each.
Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail
In the 1970s, the Appalachian Trail inspired Forest Service employee Verne Orndorff to create a similar kind of thru-hike in Kentucky. The result was the 343-mile Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail, which leads hikers through the entire expanse of the Daniel Boone National Forest.
Highlights include the scenic sandstone cliffs of Red River Gorge, the wide open waters of Cave Run and Laurel River lakes, and the powerful falls at Cumberland Falls State Park.
What really makes this trail special, however, are the trail angels from the Sheltowee Trace Association who make it their mission to support hikers. There’s a whole network of volunteers who will give backpackers rides, drop off resupply packages, and more.
Dispersed backcountry camping is free except in a few select areas on the trail. Only one section of the trail in Big South Fork National Recreation Area requires a permit.
Things to Know
- Most hikers take the trail north to south, as trail towns are concentrated in the north. That means carrying less weight early on in the hike.
- The Sheltowee Trace Association sells a comprehensive guide to the trail, which is available here.
- September and October are your best bets for cool, temperate weather. Summer can be extremely hot and humid, and spring can be rainy.
Pinhoti National Recreation Trail
When Benton McKaye initially conceptualized the Appalachian Trail, he imagined that it would extend all the way through Alabama. When the trail ended up finishing in Georgia, volunteers began working on the Pinhoti Trail to complete McKaye’s vision. The trail, which was completed in 2008, stretches 335 miles across Alabama and Georgia from Flagg Mountain in the south to near Springer Mountain in the north.
Hikers spend nearly half the trail in the Talladega National Forest, where the Cheaha Wilderness is a prime area for birding. Most of the miles in Georgia are located in the Chattahoochee–Oconee National Forest, which is home to over 2,200 miles of rivers and streams.
Things to Know
- Dispersed camping is allowed on USFS lands, provided hikers follow stated regulations.
- Fishing is a popular activity in many areas on the trail, including Sweetwater Lake, Terrapin Creek, and Shoal Creek. Be sure to get appropriate fishing licenses from Alabama and/or Georgia.
- For trail updates and community-sourced information, visit the Pinhoti Trail Alliance on Facebook.
Benton MacKaye Trail
It’s only appropriate that the father of the Appalachian Trail should have a thru-hike that bears his name. The 290-mile Benton MacKaye Trail (BMT) stretches from the AT’s southern terminus — Springer Mountain — to Big Creek in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
As hikers traverse Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina, they’re rewarded with near-constant scenic mountain vistas. According to the BMT Association, “The BMT has some of the most varied and abundant wildflowers of any temperate climate forest in the world.” Fall Branch and Long Creek falls, two powerful waterfalls, are another highlight.
Things to Know
- 93 miles of the trail take place in America’s most-visited National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains. To camp in this area, hikers will need a permit and advance reservations.
- The BMTA sells a trail guide for thru-hikers for only $15 and maps for all three states for $28. Find them here.
- When it comes to resupplying, options are concentrated in miles 1-50, 90-130, and 180-193. Get more info about resupplying options here.
Bartram National Recreation Trail
If you want a taste of the Southeast but are short on time, check out the 115-mile Bartram National Recreation Trail. Most hikers can complete the whole thing in a week or less. The name and the route come from 18th-century naturalist William Bartram, who spent years exploring much of the southeastern U.S.
The route starts in Russell Bridge, Georgia, near the Chattooga River. It ends in North Carolina at Cheoah Bald, a 5,000-foot peak. As the trail crests along the Blue Ridge range, hikers experience some of the South’s most famous mountains. Completing the trail in the fall is a surefire way to experience some seriously impressive autumnal foliage.
Things to Know
- While there are established campsites at some points on the trail that require a fee, hikers should be able to disperse camp on USFS land the entirety of the hike.
- Depending on when you visit, rivers and streams might be very high and flood footbridges. Be sure to bring adequate footwear.
- The Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy sells a bundle with a guidebook and all necessary maps for the trail here.
Florida Trail
Florida might not have mountains, but that doesn’t mean it lacks natural beauty to explore. The 1,500-mile Florida National Scenic Trail takes hikers through some of the state’s most scenic areas, including the Ocala National Forest, Gulf Islands National Seashore, and Seminole State Forest.
Over 400,000 people hiked part of the Florida Trail in 2024. It is maintained by an army of volunteers from the Florida Trail Association, which has many resources for thru-hikers.
Things to Know
- Special permits are required for portions of the trail on St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge and Eglin Air Force Base.
- Many campsites on the trail are free, but do require reservations. Find more information here.
- Be sure to look up hunting seasons through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and prepare accordingly with high-visibility clothing.
Read the full article here