Appalachian Trail In NC US 19 to NC 143 Nantahala River, Cheoah Bald, Stecoah Gap

AT Hiking Guide - North Carolina Bly Gap to Fontana Dam Only $5.00 Hiking guide with descriptions and maps for the Appalachian Trail as it travels in NC from Bly Gap to Fontana Dam. The guide is broken down by 6 sections of the AT. The book comes to you delivered as a pdf file via email. Use the buy now button and we will send you the file via email usually within 24 hours of receiving payment. Happy Hiking!

This 13.5 mile section of the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina features the Nantahala River, Cheoah Bald, Swim Bald and the Nantahala Outdoor Center.  You may see thru hikers getting reenergized at the Nantahala Outdoor Center or the NOC as it is sometimes referred as.

The section begins where the trail crosses US 19 and enters the NOC.  This outdoor adventure center has many services available for backpackers, although its main feature is rafting.  The AT crosses the Nantahala River on the NOC footbridge.  The elevation here is 1711 feet.

Footbridge over the Nantahala River

The trail quickly climbs out of the gorge. At 5.9 miles the trail reaches the 4711 foot Swim Bald.  At 6.8 miles a side trail leads 300 feet to the Sassafras Gap Shelter.  The shelter, built in 1996, is located in a ravine and sleeps 14 with a privy nearby. The AT begins to climb as it makes its way toward 5062 foot Cheoah Bald.  There are real nice views from the grassy bald.  The northern terminus of the 115 mile Bartram Trail is located here.  Soon the AT reaches 3690 foot Locust Cove Gap, where is a campsite located nearby.

View from Cheoah Bald

At 11.5 miles the trail reaches 3700 foot Simp Gap.  The trail now makes its way toward 3165 foot Stecoah Gap, reaching NC 143 at 13.5 miles and the end of this section of trail.  Parking is available for about seven cars where the trail meets NC 143.  The GPS coordinates are N35 21.503 W83 43.071 for those who have a GPS devise in their vehicle.

View from Stecoah Gap from NC 143

We offer the full GPS tracks of this section as well as 88 miles of the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina from Bly Gap to Fontana Dam for only $1.97 via a .gpx file.  This file also includes waypoints for the shelters located along the trail as well as parking areas.  Use the BUY NOW button above to purchase this and we'll send the file via e-mail ASAP!  A great tool to keep you on the trail!

We recommend purchasing any of the following books for those looking for more information on hiking the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina:

 Appalachian Trail Guide to Tennessee-North Carolina: 13th Edition

 Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Georgia North Carolina Tennessee

 Hiking Great Smoky Mountains National Park

 Best Easy Day Hikes Great Smoky Mountains National Park

 Hiking Trails of the Smokies

 Trails Illustrated Great Smoky Mountains National Park

 Trails Illustrated Great Smoky Mountains National Park Explorer