We offer free pick-up and drop-off to Woody Gap and Gooch Gap when staying at Above the Clouds or using our shuttle service. We also shuttle to the rest of Georgia as far up as Deep Gap NC which is the first available pickup after crossing the GA/NC state line.
Base Price is for up to 2 people
Each additional person is $10
Parking is $3.00 a day when using our shuttle service and hiking back to Above the Clouds. If you park at Above the Clouds and we shuttle you, pick up from Woody Gap or Gooch Gap is included with the prices listed below.
Where We Go
All shuttle prices are to or from Above the Clouds, from the location listed. Miles listed are NOBO miles from Springer Mountain. Slackpacking can be arranged from any of the places we shuttle to. Park at Above the Clouds and hike back to your car or stay a while and slackpack all of Georgia. You can plan your hikes being picked up at Woody Gap or Gooch Gap when hiking back to your car or we can pick you up at any location listed. The trip combinations are endless.
Amicalola Falls State Park
Mile 8.8 – The unofficial NOBO start to the AT. It is 15 miles as the crow flies from Above the Clouds. Approximately an hour shuttle ride and a 26.2-mile hike to Above the Clouds (Gooch Gap).
Base Price: $90
Springer Mountain Parking Lot
Mile 0.9 – Springer Mountain parking lot. Springer Mountain is the Southern terminus of the Appalachian trail. It is 10 miles as the crow flies from Above the Clouds, but many more via Cooper Gap Rd (Forest Service Rd. 42). This is a long and windy fun filled gravel road, approximately an hour shuttle ride and a 16.9-mile hike to Above the Clouds (Gooch Gap).
Base Price: $90
Three Forks
Mile 4.4 – The Three Forks area is one of the coolest areas on the AT in Georgia. Numerous mountain streams and falls. Less than a mile to Long Creek Falls. The AT crosses over Forest Service Road 58. The shuttle ride is approximately an hour and a 12.5-mile hike to Above the Clouds (Gooch Gap).
Base price: $90
Hightower Gap
Mile 8.6 – Forest Service Road 42 and 69 intersect. Approximately a 45-minute shuttle ride and an 8.6-mile hike to Above the Clouds (Gooch Gap) or 12.2 miles to Woody Gap.
Base Price: $60
Horse Gap
Mile 10.5 – Barely marked and no horses in sight. A small pull over on Cooper Gap Rd allows for drop-off and pick-up. Approximately a 30-minute shuttle ride and a 6.4-mile hike to Above the Clouds (Gooch Gap) or 10 miles to Woody Gap.
Base Price: $50
Cooper Gap
Mile 12.3 – The trail intersects with Forest Service Road 42, 80 and 15. Army Rangers training nearby shooting off numerous rounds to keep your pace motivated and steady. Approximately a 25-minute shuttle ride and either 4.6 or 8.2-mile hike to Above the Clouds (Gooch Gap).
Base Price: $40
Gooch Gap
Mile 16.9 – The trail crosses Forest Service Road 42. Approximately a 10-minute shuttle ride to Above the Clouds.
Base Price: No charge if staying at Above the Clouds
Woody Gap
Mile 20.5 – The trail crosses State Highway 60. Approximately a 4-minute shuttle ride to Above the Clouds.
Base Price: No charge if staying at Above the Clouds
Jarrard Gap
Mile 26.2 – The trail is about a ¼ mile hike from the pick-up spot at this location. Cell service is nonexistent or sketchy. Ideal slackpacking from this location is a drop-off for that reason. Approximately a 20-minute shuttle ride and a 5.7-mile SOBO hike to Above the Clouds.
Base Price: $30
Neel Gap (Frogtown Gap)
Mile 31.3 – Home of the famous Mountain Crossings. The stone building the Appalachian Trail runs through also known as the Walasi-Yi Interpretive Center was completed the same year as the Appalachian Trail, 1937. Walasi was a great mythical frog in Cherokee lore. As chief of the animal council he made his home high in this gap that accordingly was known as Frogtown Gap. Approximately a 35-minute shuttle ride and a 10.8-mile SOBO hike to Above the Clouds.
Base Price: $45
Tesnatee Gap
Mile 37.3 – The trail skirts next to Georgia Route 348. Approximately a 40-minute shuttle ride and a one or two-day SOBO hike to Above the Clouds.
Base Price: $60
Hogpen Gap
Mile 38.2 – The trail crosses over Georgia Route 348 here. Approximately a 41-minute shuttle ride and a one or two-day SOBO hike to Above the Clouds.
Base Price: $60
Unicoi Gap
Mile 52.5 – The trail crosses over GA 75 here. Approximately a 46-minute shuttle ride and a two or three-day SOBO hike to Above the Clouds.
Base Price: $70
Dicks Creek Gap
Mile 69.2 – The last road crossing in Georgia. The trail crosses over US Route 76 here. Approximately an hour shuttle ride to Above the Clouds.
Base Price: $90
Deep Gap NC
Mile 85.0 – If you are planning on hiking all of Georgia, Deep Gap NC is the first pick-up location north of the GA/NC state line. Approximately an hour and 41-minute shuttle ride to Above the Clouds.
Base Price: $140
One-day Slackpacks
There are many ways to plan a slackpack. Here are just a few examples of one-day slacks.
Amicalola Falls to Gooch Gap is 26.2 miles. Start this trip at the bottom of the famous Amicalola stairs and do this hike in one day and you will have completed The Above the Clouds Marathon. Not for the novice. Unless you are extremely fit and have logged marathon miles on trail before it is not advised to attempt this trip. The elevation changes are drastic and very few can complete this section in one day. A knowledge of one’s self is required. If you are bold enough to attempt this trip, we will plan numerous extraction points for your safety.
Springer Mountain to Gooch Gap is a 17.8-mile hike. Not for the faint of heart. This hike has drastic elevation changes and requires one to be in excellent physical condition.
Springer Mountain to Cooper Gap is a 13.2-mile hike. Strenuous but very doable for one in good physical condition.
Woody Gap to Neel Gap is a 10.8-mile hike. Do not let the mileage fool you. The elevation is 8 miles up 2 miles down, give or take. The good news is you get to climb Blood Mountain (the highest elevation on the AT in the state of Georgia at 4,442 feet), the bad news is you must climb Blood Mountain. Do this hike SOBO to go 2 miles up 8 miles down.
Cooper Gap to Woody Gap is an 8.2-mile hike. This is a pleasant distance. Not enough to totally wear you out but enough to get your blood flowing.
Three Forks to Gooch Gap is a 12.5 hike. After 0.9 miles stop off and spend a few minutes at Long Creek Falls then prepare yourself for a good day of hiking.