Benton MacKaye Trail
2–3 weeks · 273 mi · strenuous · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Benton MacKaye Trail is known for
A quieter sibling to the Appalachian Trail, winding nearly 300 miles by the advertised figure (our mapped route measures 273.0) from Springer Mountain through the Georgia and Tennessee mountains to the edge of the Great Smokies.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 830 ft to 5,564 ft over 273 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 77.3 mi · 28%
- Downhill 81.9 mi · 30%
- Flat 113.8 mi · 42%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Benton MacKaye Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Benton MacKaye Trail scores 99/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Benton MacKaye Trail take?
Most backpackers take 2–3 weeks to hike the Benton MacKaye Trail's 273 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Benton MacKaye Trail?
The Benton MacKaye Trail climbs roughly 67,858 ft total — about 249 ft per mile, topping out near 5,830 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.