The first white blaze and plaque at Springer Mountain Georgia, southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Photo Credit: Ric “Stick” Green
There are so many important logistics to consider when planning a big thru-hike that it can be easy to forget some of the smaller ones – like just how you’re going to get there! If you’re planning a northbound thru-hike on the AT, you will be starting at Springer Mountain, Georgia. So how are you going to get there?
HIKER HACK:Before heading to Springer, make sure your gear is all set. If you still have gear to buy or will buy it along the way, I highly recommend becoming a member of the REI.com Co-Op. Not only will you get a 10% rebate on REI purchases and occasional bonuses that will cut your overall cost to thru-hike, REI treats thru-hikers well and will often replace gear if it fails you on your hike. Safe travels to Springer
AT thru-hikers typically use the small town of Gainesville, Georgia, as their jumping off point before heading off into the wilderness. Gainesville is a couple hours by car from Springer Mountain, where the AT begins. AT thru-hikers have two main logistics to figure out to get the start of the trail: how to get to Gainesville and how to get from Gainesville to the start of the AT.
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Getting to Gainesville:
By Air:
Flying is certainly the fastest way to move around the country but it does mean that you’ll have to pick up your fuel when you land in Georgia. Having said that, it’s still an easy way to get to Springer Mountain. Atlanta has a major international airport with many flights coming and going every single day. Fly into the Atlanta airport and then take public transportation (shuttle or bus) to Gainesville.
By Train:
While air may be the fastest way to get to the start of your thru-hike, rail might be the easiest (and most romantic!). You won’t have to worry about checking a bag or buying fuel when you arrive and you’ll get to see the countryside along the way! Amtrak runs passenger trains through Gainesville.
Getting to the trailhead:
Once you’ve arrived in Gainesville, you still need to get to the trailhead. Fortunately for you, you have some choices:
By Taxi:This is a great option for those that don’t mind spending some extra money to gain a little bit of convenience. Uni Taxi (770-534-5355) offers taxi service from Gainesville to Amicalola State Park.
By Shuttle:Many companies and private individuals offer shuttle service from various locations in the area to the trailhead. Check the A.T. Shuttle List for details.
Accommodations:
If you get to Gainesville and don’t want to hit the trail right away, you have some really great options for lodging:
Amicalola State Park: Amicalola State Park offers campsites, a lodge, and individual cabins at reasonable rates. Because Amicalola is the jumping off point for most northbound thru hikers, you’ll be right where you need to be to hit the ground running in the morning.
Hiker Hostel: The Hiker Hostel is a full service hostel catering to the area’s outdoorsy set and it’s a very popular way for people to begin their AT adventures. It’s worth noting that the good folks at the Hiker Hostel offer a package which includes pickup in either Gainesville or at the North Springs MARTA Station, transportation to the hostel, an overnight bunk room, and a shuttle the next morning to the trailhead. And they do this all for the exceptionally reasonable price of $80 per person.
The hiker Hostel package also includes 8 oz. of alcohol or gas.
Great info. Thanks, Jeff.
Hiker Hostel ? Is that the name of the Hostel? Do you have a phone number? Bytheway there is nothing and no one in the Gainesville Ga. Train Station. I didn’t even see a card that said Joe’s taxi. My train got there at 6 am from Baltimore Md. I would have loved to have seen a poster or card posted with the phone # and details for the hiker hostel. Hitchhiking when you are tired and don’t know the area isn’t fun. I was offered a ride by a turbaned headed taxi driver to Amicola Falls for $96.00 which I refused.
They have a website @ hikerhostel.com, check the Thru-Hiker special. It’s $85 and includes pretty much everything you could hope for.
Turbaned-headed? Racist much? I suppose if he was white you would have just accepted the offer and got in the car and written how wonderful and accommodating he is. America is going down the toilet fast because of racists like you.
People like him are running the trail
is thier someone i can gather info from inregards to a section hike in october starting at springer mountain
Hi Mark,
How many miles do you plan to cover on this section hike?
Iam looking at 30 or 45 miles around 3 days 4 nights trying to figure out how to arrange pickup and drop off, it will be me and my son, so we could have 2 vehicles at our disposal
Are you thinking of starting or stopping at Springer Mountain?
If so, I would suggest contacting the outfitter at Neel Gap (https://www.mountaincrossings.com/)
They can probably make a recommendation for a shuttle service, or perhaps Springer and Neel Gap could be start and finish of your hike, and you have a car at each location.
thanks
Let’s add info about folks who want to drive up to park near Springer Mountain. Where to park? I’m not going to Gainesville. Plan to go just a couple days to Neels Gap and then shuttle back to Springer.
I would like to know the same thing …im coming from fl
If you are just hiking the section between Springer and Neels Gap, the best bet might be to leave your car at the Hiker Hostel at Neels Gap and have them shuttle you to Springer to walk back to your car. Good luck.
Uber around 34-36 dollars. I did it two weeks ago when a taxi offered the same thing and the main shuttles no longer come to Gainsville just Atlanta
I am going in March 2nd week and going to Maine I need a place to stay when I arrive at Amicalola state park
Sounds good, Vince. If you need a room to stay overnight, then you might consider the hiker hostel at Neels Gap and then have them shuttle you to Springer when you are ready. If you want to stay near Springer, then your sleeping bag should be all you need.
Vince, do the approach trail and stay at the Lodge the night before. It’s cheap (amazingly), and they have a restaurant there and the approach trail begins to your immediate left and down the stairs right from exiting the Lodge.
I am in Gainsville and plan to go to Springer Mountain. Is there anyone that would give me a lift? Do you recommend Uber? Etc. Cab seems awfully expensive. Can one walk to Amicalola State Park? Hitching is legal in GA? Thanks
Hi Ken it’s Ken. Everyone stay at a nice cheap hotel in Gainsville for the night; take an Uber for 35.58 right to the lodge At Amicola Falls, and do the brutal 8 miles and steps on the approach trail and spend the night in the many camp sites on Springer. It’s worth it. No need to call one of those prententious shuttle companies or the like. Hikers hostel sure stay a night; but don’t start there.
I stayed at the great lodge for 80.00 dollars on Hotelstonight in GA and my Uber driver was awesome and told me all about the area on our 45 minute ride to the Falls And Lodge. Even stay away the Lodge the night; evidently according to a hiker I saw mid approach trail doing a day hike; it was only 90.00 for a night at the Lodge and what a view. Beats a super 8 for the same price in Gainsville. 😉
I am from Denver Colorado any body out there headed to the AT trail
Hi there, does somebody know if I can take an Uber from Atlanta airport direct to Amicalola Falls?
Thanks!
It would be a pricey ride, but sure some Uber driver would be into it.
Is there a shorter way to approach the southern terminus of the AT, maybe from the north a mile or two, rather than hike the 8+ miles of the AT Approach Trail from Amicalola Falls? It would be great if there were a trail and parking just north of the southern terminus.
Hi Jennifer, you can park right at Springer Mountain. I wouldn’t leave a car there, but you can definitely park in the lot and hike a mile or so up to Springer. The approach trail is totally optional.
i was just looking at the website (https://barefoothills.checkfront.com/reserve/?D=20180217&category_id=9) and it’s prices are only for 4 people at the same time. what if you are just by yourself?
What does this mean….”I wouldn’t leave a car there, but you can park in the lot.”….what lot?
I means I wouldn’t leave my car there if I were to start a hike from Springer. I’d arrange to leave it somewhere else long-term.
hiker hostel in Dahlonega is now owned by barefoot luxuries. hiker special (shuttle and one night lodging) is now $210 plus tax.. too rich for my blood