Benton MacKaye Trail — Section 24: Smokemont Campground to Straight Fork Road
~2 days · 14.3 mi · moderate · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Benton MacKaye Trail — Section 24: Smokemont Campground to Straight Fork Road is known for
Section 24 of Benton MacKaye Trail is an official 24 km point-to-point section from Smokemont Campground (US 441) to Straight Fork Road (Round Bottom trailhead).
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 7,169 ft to 16,145 ft over 14.3 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 8.0 mi · 56%
- Downhill 5.9 mi · 42%
- Flat 0.3 mi · 2%
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 24: Smokemont Campground to Straight Fork Road?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Benton MacKaye Trail — Section 24: Smokemont Campground to Straight Fork Road scores 25/100, 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 24: Smokemont Campground to Straight Fork Road take?
Most backpackers hike the Benton MacKaye Trail — Section 24: Smokemont Campground to Straight Fork Road in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 14.3 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Benton MacKaye Trail — Section 24: Smokemont Campground to Straight Fork Road?
The Benton MacKaye Trail — Section 24: Smokemont Campground to Straight Fork Road climbs roughly 4,288 ft total — about 300 ft per mile, topping out near 4,951 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.