Benton MacKaye Trail — Section 12: US 64 / Thunder Rock Campground to Hwy 30 at Hiwassee River
~2 days · 16.8 mi · moderate · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Benton MacKaye Trail — Section 12: US 64 / Thunder Rock Campground to Hwy 30 at Hiwassee River is known for
Section 12 of Benton MacKaye Trail is an official 27.5 km point-to-point section from US 64 / Thunder Rock Campground (Ocoee River) to Hwy 30 at Hiwassee River (Webb Store, Reliance).
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 2,497 ft to 9,331 ft over 16.8 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 5.8 mi · 35%
- Downhill 7.5 mi · 45%
- Flat 3.2 mi · 20%
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 — Section 12: US 64 / Thunder Rock Campground to Hwy 30 at Hiwassee River?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Benton MacKaye Trail — Section 12: US 64 / Thunder Rock Campground to Hwy 30 at Hiwassee River scores 17/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 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 — Section 12: US 64 / Thunder Rock Campground to Hwy 30 at Hiwassee River take?
Most backpackers hike the Benton MacKaye Trail — Section 12: US 64 / Thunder Rock Campground to Hwy 30 at Hiwassee River in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 16.8 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Benton MacKaye Trail — Section 12: US 64 / Thunder Rock Campground to Hwy 30 at Hiwassee River?
The Benton MacKaye Trail — Section 12: US 64 / Thunder Rock Campground to Hwy 30 at Hiwassee River climbs roughly 3,284 ft total — about 195 ft per mile, topping out near 2,844 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 — 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.