Benton MacKaye Trail — Section 18: Beech Gap to Tapoco Lodge
~2 days · 13.9 mi · easy · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Benton MacKaye Trail — Section 18: Beech Gap to Tapoco Lodge is known for
Section 18 of Benton MacKaye Trail is an official 24.1 km point-to-point section from Beech Gap (Cherohala Skyway) to Tapoco Lodge (US 129).
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 3,875 ft to 17,503 ft over 13.9 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 4.3 mi · 31%
- Downhill 9.6 mi · 69%
- Flat 0.0 mi · 0%
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 18: Beech Gap to Tapoco Lodge?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Benton MacKaye Trail — Section 18: Beech Gap to Tapoco Lodge scores 13/100, 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 18: Beech Gap to Tapoco Lodge take?
Most backpackers hike the Benton MacKaye Trail — Section 18: Beech Gap to Tapoco Lodge in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 13.9 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Benton MacKaye Trail — Section 18: Beech Gap to Tapoco Lodge?
The Benton MacKaye Trail — Section 18: Beech Gap to Tapoco Lodge climbs roughly 2,093 ft total — about 151 ft per mile, topping out near 5,338 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.