The Pinhoti Trail is a 335-mile trail through Alabama and Georgia that can be completed in about one month.
Region: Deep South (Alabama, Georgia)
Length: 335 miles (4-6 weeks)
Physical Difficulty: Moderate
- Steep climbs under treeline
- High humidity
- Rooty, rocky trails with blowdowns
Logistical Difficulty: Moderate
- Point-to-point
- No permit required
- Easy navigation, well-signed, easy resupply
Season: Spring / Fall
| Miles / Day (average) | Days to complete (rounded up) |
| 10 | 31 |
| 15 | 22 |
| 18 | 19 |
| 22 | 16 |
| 25 | 14 |
| 30 | 12 |
Hiking the Pinhoti Trail
Pinhoti is Creek Indian for “Turkey Home.” The southern Appalachians hiking trail stretches laterally across Alabama and Georgia and can be linked up with the Benton MacKaye Trail and followed to Springer Mountain (Southern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail). The trail is 335 miles in length and offers an abundance of amenities and resupply options to aid new hikers. Similar to trails that share the same mountain range, the route is filled with short ups and downs, along with occasional road walks and direct passage through cities.
The draw of the Pinhoti Trail and what makes it noteworthy is that the route links the southernmost 1,000-foot-tall peak (Flagg Mountain) in the Appalachian Mountains with the rest of the range spanning north. The Pinhoti Trail is a part of the Eastern Continental Trail, which spans nearly 5,000 miles up the Eastern Seaboard from Florida into Canada.
How to Get to the Pinhoti Trail
Southern Terminus
The Southern Terminus is located at Flagg Mountain near Weogufka, Alabama. Map it here.
Closest Major City: Birmingham, Alabama (72 miles)
From the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, you can find a shuttle to the Southern Terminus (info below) or a ride from the Pinhoti Facebook groups.
Other Options: Greyhound bus from Birmingham, Alabama, to Sylacauga, Alabama, and hitchhike or walk to the Southern Terminus.
Northern Terminus
The Northern Terminus is the intersection of the Pinhoti Trail and the Benton MacKaye Trail. It is remote, but shuttle options are listed below.
Closest Major City: Atlanta, Georgia (105 miles)
Northern Section Shuttle
Buddy Lique
Buddyl91@gmail.com
Central Section Shuttle
Next Step Hostel and Shuttle Service
406 North Street. E, Talladega, AL 35160
205-601-9107
Southern Section Shuttles
Coosa’s Hiker Hostel and Shuttle Service
Owned by Callie Thornton, located near the Pinhoti Southern Terminus / Flagg Mountain Trailhead.
Hwy 22 West, Rockford, AL
256-786-0894
Pinhoti Outdoor Center – Hostel and Shuttle Service
49951 Hwy. 280
Sylacauga, AL 35150
205-202-9525
When to Hike the Pinhoti Trail
Alabama and Georgia can be notoriously humid, and avoiding the brunt of the summer weather is best when planning a thru-hike of the Pinhoti Trail. This is best done between early fall and early spring, and with similar climates spanning the trail east and west (slightly north/south), the direction taken on the trail has little impact on the timing. Overall, October-November and March-April would be the most ideal times to hike the trail.
Should You Hike Northbound or Southbound?
The Pinhoti Trail can be completed in either direction throughout the winter months. When completed as part of the Eastern Continental Trail it is often used to connect the Florida Trail to the Benton MacKaye Trail (with a road walk). The main considerations for which direction to hike the trail should be resupplying and transportation.
Pinhoti Trail Terrain
The terrain on the Pinhoti Trail is similar to the Appalachian Trail. The landscape is green, and often resembles the iconic green tunnels of the AT. There are numerous PUDs, rocky terrain, and rooted trail. The majority of the route winds through the deciduous forests of Alabama and Georgia with some views of lakes, streams, and rivers. There are dry sections, and areas where one’s feet will often be wet.
Logistics: Permits, Camping, Water
Permits: The Pinhoti Trail does not require permits for any of the sections
Camping: The Pinhoti Trail has more than 75 designated campsites and shelters. Most of the shelters are newer and more maintained than the usual three-sided style on the Appalachian Trail, and the outhouses carried less of a stench than the competing toilets on the AT.
Water Carries: There are multiple waterless stretches up to 10 miles in length, so check your sources and be prepared with plenty of water and add electrolyte tabs to stay hydrated.
Know Before You Go
Bugs: The ticks and mosquitoes can be persistent, so prepare with plenty of bug spray, a mosquito headnet, treat your clothes with permethrin, do tick checks, and always carry a fully enclosed shelter.
Road Walks: You’ll encounter some road walks on this trail. Not the most thrilling sections, but they go by fast.
Pinhoti Trail Shuttles / Resources
