BMT - Dally Gap to Pinhoti Northern Terminus

The Benton MacKaye Trail is a nearly 300 mile long trail starting at Springer Mountain, weaving through Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina before ending in the GSMNP just past Big Creek. Often considered more difficult than the adjacent sections of the AT, this trail presents plenty of challenge and adventure. Join me as I dayhike the BMT, one section at a time.

This hike will find us in the Cohutta Wilderness in Georgia. We will start at Dally Gap where a large parking area will greet us. Dally Gap can be difficult to find, please look at the "Directions" section below. We wil start on the Hemptop trail for less than a mile where it intersects with the BMT, a left turn will get us going in the right direction. The BMT will take us on a roller coaster ride of ups and downs with no climbs being especially steep. We will side swipe Dyer Mountain on our way to the intersection with the South Fork Trail. This is the location of the Northern Terminus of the Pinhoti Trail and is a great spot for a photo. Somewhere along the way we will find a nice spot for lunch. After lunch, we retrace our steps until we hit the Jacks River Trail, a quick right turn here will save us a few steps on the way back.

This is a difficult D5 hike, recent D5 experience is required to join the fun. Under experienced hikers will be moved to the wait list as they await an email from the TL.

Click here to download the AllTrails map

We will meet at Dally Gap at 9:00. Several miles of gravel road driving is required.

Click here for Trailhead location

After SR 2 becomes gravel, travel approximately 1 mile.  The turn off to Service Road 22-2 is incorrect on GPS. It is an acute right turn to a steep service road that has a sign for Hemp Top and Jacks River Trails. The sign is only visible if you look over your right shoulder...