Hiking Trails near airports in the Southeast

cabs are typically inexpensive and knowledgeable out of the asheville/brevard airport. plus it's a straight shot hitch in/out to downtown brevard/the park so you can (i have) get easy rides to/from the airport for free. there is a airport to brevard shuttle that'll do you. and that's just to the art loeb. you can get to the mst a lot quicker.

tri cities is close to the AT in virginia…but still a ride, not a walk.

I think Brevard is a really good bet since you've got some great trails right there.
Tri-Cities will still be an hour or so drive (give or take) to some really good trails. Maybe you can get a shuttle from Tyson-McGee in Knoxville to the Smokies? I know there is a hostel that does shuttles from Atlanta to Springer Mtn, but I don't know the cost. Or which hostel does it. I know they run pretty regularly in the spring because a lot of my buddies I met on my thru-hike took that option to get there.

I'm sure there are plenty of BPL members that would be willing to give you a ride from their local airport to the trailhead.

I live in Atlanta and am often in gwinnett, where there is a small airport, and would be willing to help out a fellow hiker anytime. Provided i have enough notice ahead of time.

email me at like.sisyphus (at) gmail.com if you want

You should get a folding bike! Hide it in the forest when you get to the trailhead.

Does anybody know if there are any good trails close to the Franklin County (Highlands, NC), Avery County (Near Spruce Pine, NC) or the Gatlinburg Airport.

Whoa Spruce Pine has an airport? Thats "near" both the AT and all the neat stuff near Asheville if you had a car, but won't work for you. I didn't realize that there was an airport so close to Gatlinburg. I'd say you could get a cab or a shuttle to the Smokies no problem from there.

The Bartram Trail is seven miles WSW of Highlands, NC on 107: http://ncbartramtrail.org/

The Gatlinburg airport is about 30 min from the Greenbrier area of the Smokies. Yes, it is still a drive, but definitely worth it. And much like someone else posted, I would be up for a day hike/overnighter given enough time in advance.

Looking at a map, you simply get back on Dolly Parton Parkway, then take a right onto HWY 416 and follow that until HWY 321… and there ya go. Here’s a
MAP

Even the scenery along HWY 416 is great!

edited: probably about 4 times to get the link and my directions right =P

Yeah I'm in the Asheville area, so drop me a line if you ever need a ride, or maybe even a hiking partner if work permits, which it likely wont, BPLers are slave drivers. =

I'm on the east side between Fairview and Black Mountain, pretty close to Old Fort area trails, etc.

;)

Thanks for all of the advice and invites! I may take some of you up on your invites if I can get my schedule worked out early enough.

Spruce Pine is pretty close to the Mt. Mitchell area, and while I don't have my maps in front of me, I know the Mountains to Sea trail goes near there, and that trail also touches the Black Ridge Crest trail (it doesn't really go anywhere, though). There is at least a few days of fun trails in that area. If notified in advance, I may be able to give you a ride to/from airport and trailheads.