Discover the Appalachian High Route
When Jennifer Pharr Davis and Haley Blevins reached the Burnsville Town Square in North Carolina on May 8, they became the first people to complete the newly imagined Appalachian High Route.
The new 343-mile route seamlessly connects Mount Mitchell— the highest peak on the eastern seaboard— with the Appalachian Trail that stretches nearly 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine.
The Benefits of the New Route
This innovative route also links the Appalachian Trail with two other regional trails: the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and Black Mountain Trail. Jake Blood, co-founder of the North Carolina High Peaks Trails Association and chair of the Burnsville-Yancey Chamber of Travel and Tourism Committee, originally conceived the idea. Blood faced challenges, such as the abundance of private land in the area, which made it difficult to establish a cohesive trail system.
“When you’re hiking the Appalachian Trail, you traverse numerous peaks, yet only the third highest in the range,” said Blood. “I always believed Mount Mitchell should connect to the Appalachian Trail, but acquiring easements from private landowners is very challenging.”
Consequently, the route incorporates a blend of existing trails, forest roads, secondary roads, and the newly identified Burnsville Connector. This 19-mile road walk proved to be the crucial link to complete the trail system.
Pharr Davis, who is no stranger to hiking challenges and currently holds the women’s fastest known supported time for hiking the Appalachian Trail, was instrumental in identifying the Burnsville Connector, ultimately allowing the entire route to materialize.
Explore the Route: Bridging the High Points
The Appalachian High Route grants access to 50 of the 54 summits exceeding 6,000 feet in the Appalachian range. Along the way, hikers will traverse through three National Park Service-managed areas, three national forests, and a state park. Although a majority of the trail resides in western North Carolina, there are sections that extend entirely into Tennessee.
Prior to announcing this project to the public, Pharr Davis and Blood reached out to land management agencies, trail maintaining clubs, and various organizations to gather feedback, ensuring that all stakeholders were informed and involved in the route’s formation.
“We believed it was essential to consult stakeholders and allow them the opportunity to review the proposal and contribute feedback,” said Pharr Davis. “Given that this route consists of existing trails, our hope is to attract positive attention to all the partners and places connected without imposing additional burdens.”
Connecting Historic Peaks
The most intriguing aspect of the Appalachian High Route is its ability to connect Mount Mitchell, the tallest peak in the Southeast, with Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Northeast. This connection is part of the original vision proposed by Benton Mackaye for the Appalachian Trail in 1921, enabling hikers to realize a dream envisioned over a century ago.
Getting Started with the Appalachian High Route
Currently, Blood is in the process of finalizing route maps. However, those who are eager to begin can find details about the route on Pharr Davis’s website. Not only will hikers receive commemorative patches upon completing the route, but the first 12 individuals who hike it will also earn a special reward.
“This trail provides the opportunity to connect with trails you’ve hiked previously or are currently exploring,” stated Blood. “Benton Mackaye didn’t envision a singular trail when discussing the Appalachian Trail; he envisioned connector trails linking to the primary route. Therefore, we are effectively tying back into Benton’s original vision of the Appalachian Trail.”
