Annual Trip Loop Advice – Eastern US

There are so many backpacking trails and loops in the Southeast to choose from—But I recommend exploring the Mountains to Sea trail East of Linville Gorge including Steels Creek, Upper Creek, Raider Camp Creek, Harper and North Harper, Lost Cove Creek and Gragg Prong—and all the side trails from these trails mentioned.

I just pulled a 24 day backpacking trip in the area and there’s plenty places to hike.

Grayson Highlands is an obvious choice.  Slickrock is a good choice.  Smokies have lots of loops.  Pisgah Forest has many popular routes.  There are a couple nice routes in the Big Frog/Cohutta area; it’s full of river crossings.

Linville Gorge is more difficult hiking than Roan, as I remember.  It’s been a while.

Due to having to push this back to May, we’re wanting to move more north for cooler weather. What do you guys like in West Virginia?

I like the North Fork Mt. trail but it would require a shuttle.  Around 25 miles, relatively easy hiking as well.  Water sources are almost nil but you can cache water around halfway as a FS road runs to the top of the mountain and intersects the trail.   Outstanding scenery.

Lots of loop hikes available in Dolly Sods but it can get crowded if you are going on the weekend.   Google will have many options.   Some really nice spots out in the Roaring Plains area – they are all off the designated trails but have decent use trails.   Trout Run area would be a possibility as well – not as many views or unique areas as the Sods or NFM but  relatively easy hiking with about 3 nice viewpoints, albeit of the same valley, just different angles.   Look up Trout Run Circumnavigation in Google.   Think it’s around 31 miles.

Otter Creek Wilderness also a possibility.   Check out midatlantichikes.com for more routes in VA, WV.