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Southern Appalachians loop from Atlanta

A loop from Atlanta to Chattanooga, Bryson City on the Nantahala, Asheville and Brevard in Pisgah. For climbers, mountain bikers, paddlers and hikers.

Fly into Atlanta (ATL)Best Apr-May, Oct4 stops560 mi / 901 km12.2 h driving11 days suggestedLoop, back to the startUnited States
ClimbingMountain BikingKayakingHikingRunning

When: Summer heat and humidity (Chattanooga avoid Jun-Aug; Brevard avoid Jul-Aug); April-May and October are peak at all four stops.

Getting there: Fly into ATL; major rental companies at the airport rental car center. Charlotte (CLT) also works as a start, closer to Asheville.

Customize this trip

Route: OpenStreetMap road data (OSRM). Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Spots: OpenBeta and our guides.

Day by day · 10 nights, 11 days

  1. Start in Atlanta (ATL): pick up the carDrive to Chattanooga: 127 mi / 204 km · 2 h 30 min
  2. 1

    Chattanooga

    TN, United States

    72Adventure Score

    Suggested stay: 3 nights

    A Southeast climbing and paddling mecca where sandstone bluffs meet whitewater rivers at the foot of the Appalachians.

    Biggest draw
    • Tennessee Wall · 4.8/5 · ClimbingPremier sport climbing crag in the Southeast with 200+ routes on vertical sandstone, famous for its overhanging orange walls and pumpy lines.
    Also here
    • Denny Cove · 4.7/5 · Climbing
    • Ocoee River Whitewater · 4.7/5 · Kayaking
    • Stone Fort (Little Rock City) · 4.7/5 · Climbing
    Full Chattanooga guide →
    Drive to Bryson City: 139 mi / 224 km · 3 h 12 min
  3. 2

    Bryson City

    NC, United States

    84Adventure Score

    Suggested stay: 2 nights

    Smokies gateway town with Tsali singletrack, Nantahala Gorge rafting, Deep Creek waterfalls and a scenic railroad

    Biggest draw
    • Tsali Recreation Area · 5.0/5 · Mountain BikingFour connected loops (Left, Right, Mouse Branch, Thompson) of flowing singletrack on Fontana Lake, about 40 miles in all. Bikes and horses use the loops on alternating days.
    Also here
    • Nantahala River (NOC) · 4.3/5 · Kayaking
    • Deep Creek Waterfalls Loop · 5.0/5 · Hiking
    • Deep Creek Tubing · 4.3/5 · Kayaking
    Full Bryson City guide →
    Drive to Asheville: 83 mi / 134 km · 1 h 54 min
  4. 3

    Asheville

    NC, United States

    80Adventure Score

    Suggested stay: 2 nights

    Southern Appalachian singletrack, waterfall gorges, and a granite dome overhead

    Biggest draw
    • Pisgah National Forest Trails · RunningNorth Carolina's premier mountain biome features 500,000 acres of old-growth forest trails, cascading waterfalls, and te
    Also here
    • Blue Ridge Parkway · Running
    • Max Patch Bald Appalachian Trail · Running
    • Green River Narrows · Kayaking
    Full Asheville guide →
    Drive to Brevard: 34 mi / 55 km · 0 h 48 min
  5. 4

    Brevard

    NC, United States

    94Adventure Score

    Suggested stay: 3 nights

    Land of Waterfalls: Pisgah singletrack, a granite dome above town and DuPont's falls on the doorstep

    Biggest draw
    • Pisgah National Forest singletrack · 5.0/5 · Mountain BikingTechnical, rooty and rocky trails in a 512,000-acre national forest at the edge of town; hundreds of miles of trail across the Pisgah district.
    Also here
    • DuPont State Recreational Forest · 5.0/5 · Mountain Biking
    • Looking Glass Rock · 5.0/5 · Climbing
    • Sliding Rock · 5.0/5 · Hiking
    Full Brevard guide →
    Drive back to Atlanta: 177 mi / 285 km · 3 h 48 min
  6. Back in Atlanta: drop the car and fly home.
Plan it

WHEN, HOW FAR, WHAT TO BRING

When to go

Best: Apr-May, Oct. Summer heat and humidity (Chattanooga avoid Jun-Aug; Brevard avoid Jul-Aug); April-May and October are peak at all four stops.

All 4 stops are in peak or shoulder season in Mar-May, Sep-Nov.

Number = stops in peak or shoulder season that month. Darker = more stops at peak.

  • Chattanooga: peak Mar-May, Oct-Nov, avoid Jun-Aug
  • Bryson City: peak Apr-May, Sep-Oct, avoid Jan-Feb, Dec
  • Asheville: peak Mar-May, Sep-Nov
  • Brevard: peak Apr-May, Sep-Oct, avoid Jan-Feb, Jul-Aug, Dec

Driving split

12.2 h on the road over 5 drives: about 2.4 h per drive on average, 560 mi (901 km) in total.

Longest day: Brevard to Atlanta, 3 h 48 min.

No single drive is over 6 hours.

Drive times are free-flow estimates from OpenStreetMap roads, without stops, traffic or border queues.

Sports and gear

  • Mountain Biking · every stopBring: helmet, gloves, pads; check the bike-park pass and bike rental.
  • Kayaking · every stopBring: PFD, helmet, dry layers; many rivers need a guide or permit.
  • Hiking · every stopBring: boots, layers, map or offline maps, water.
  • Climbing · Chattanooga, Asheville, BrevardBring: harness, shoes, helmet, rope and quickdraws (or rent locally).
  • Running · Chattanooga, AshevilleBring: trail shoes, hydration vest, headlamp for long days.
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