🎒 Appalachian Trail Section Hike: Max Patch to Hot Springs (NOBO)

Type of Outing: Backpack
When: Tuesday, April 28, 2026 | 11:00 AM
Distance: 19.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 6,161 ft
Difficulty: Strenuous

Some sections of the Appalachian Trail earn their reputation.
This is one of them.

Big views. Long ridgelines. Leg-burning climbs. Quiet forest miles. And a well-earned walk straight into one of the most beloved trail towns on the AT.

Over three days and two nights, we’ll hike northbound from Max Patch to Hot Springs, settling into that steady rhythm that makes backpacking so transformative. We’ll move at a supportive but purposeful pace, encouraging one another through the climbs and soaking in the panoramic rewards from some of the most iconic terrain in this region.

And here’s the bonus: I’ve timed this hike to end just as the Town & Trail Festival kicks off in Hot Springs. If you’re interested, book an AirBnB for the final night and plan to stick around — I’d love to celebrate trail legs with you at the festival.

This trip is ideal for beginner-to-intermediate backpackers who are ready to challenge themselves, build confidence with elevation gain, and experience what a true multi-day AT section feels like.

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🗺 Itinerary

Day 1: Max Patch to Walnut Mountain Shelter

Approx. 6–9 miles

We’ll begin at Max Patch, catching sunrise from one of the most iconic grassy balds on the entire Appalachian Trail. It’s hard to imagine a better way to start.

From there, the trail winds past the summit and dips into forested stretches filled with rhododendron tunnels and rolling terrain. Expect a descent followed by a steady climb toward Walnut Mountain Shelter, a scenic and popular first-night stop. We’ll settle into camp, cook dinner, and ease into trail life.

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Day 2: Walnut Mountain Shelter to Deer Park Mountain Shelter

Approx. 9 miles

This is the heart of the hike — and the most physically demanding day.

We’ll climb Bluff Mountain and later Deer Park Mountain, gaining and losing elevation throughout the day. The ridgeline miles are long and honest. Deer Park Mountain Shelter serves as our natural checkpoint and second-night camp.

It’s a leg-burning day — but the kind that leaves you proud when you unzip your tent at dusk.

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Day 3: Deer Park Mountain Shelter to Hot Springs

Approx. 5 miles

Our final morning is a shorter descent into Hot Springs, where the Appalachian Trail literally runs down Main Street.

The reward at the end is real: hot showers, town food, and that indescribable joy of stepping off trail and into civilization. Anyone who’d like to stick around can join me for a celebratory meal at Elmer’s or the Smoky Mountain Diner, or relax at a local hostel before heading home.

Total: 19.4 miles | 6,161 ft elevation gain

🎒 Required Gear
• Backpack
• Tent
• Sleeping Pad
• Sleeping Bag
• Food (two-day supply)
• Water filtration system
• Headlamp
• Appropriate layers & rain gear

This is a strenuous hike with sustained elevation gain. Please make sure you’re physically prepared and have completed at least one overnight backpacking trip before registering.

If you’ve been waiting for a section hike that feels like the real deal — this is it.

Let’s shoulder the packs and earn Hot Springs. 🌄