The Appalachian Trail in the Southern Appalachians sports many bests and biggest– best view, best waterfall, highest point. The section from Sams Gap to Devils Fork Gap gets the prize for giving you the best feel for the whole A.T. experience. If you’ve completed some stretches of the A.T. and are contemplating thru-hiking the whole trail, this segment will give you a glimpse into a typical day on the A.T., at least the southern half. Through this archetypal A.T. dayhike, you’ll walk mostly through a new forest, with occasional views, crossing minor creeks and visiting a shelter.

However each A.T. section is distinctive with its own quirks. Here though you are going A.T. south, the trail goes mostly compass north as it zigzags along the North Carolina/Tennessee border. In certain sections, Tennessee is east of North Carolina.

Length: 8.2 miles (one way)
Altitude gain: 1,700 feet

Map: Appalachian Trail Guide to Tennessee-North Carolina

Trailhead: The hike starts at Sams Gap and ends at Devils Fork Gap. To place a car at Devils Fork Gap, leave I-26 at exit 5 (Flag Pond Road) in Tennessee, make a right at the exit ramp, a left at the Flag Pond sign and a right at the STOP sign. Drive for 2.2 miles on Flag Pond Road (also TN 81) and turn left on TN 352 West. Drive 4.3 miles to Devils Fork Gap on the Tennessee/North Carolina border. Place a car at the parking area on the left.

Go back to Flag Pond Road (TN 81), turn right and continue for 8 miles on TN 81, go under I-26 and park on the right at the Sams Gap trailhead. Do not get back on I-26.