Thru- and Section-Hiking
Camping/Lodging
Direction/Time
Solo/Partner(s)
Fitness
First Aid
Food
Cost
FAQs
The MST does not have a system of campsites and shelters such as the Appalachian Trail. If you plan to be on the MST overnight, consult the resources provided under trail sections for the latest information. FMST does not condone any illegal camping, trespassing on public or private lands, or stealth camping. Some areas, such as the Blue Ridge Parkway, have very limited campgrounds. Park rangers are known to give citations for camping at unauthorized locations. (back to top)
The ideal time to hike this trail is the spring or fall when temperatures are not extremely hot or cold. Starting your trip in the spring at Clingmans Dome in the Smoky Mountains allows you relatively cool temperatures across the state. Typically a spring trip could begin as early as April and as late as May. Snow may be a possibility in April. Starting the trail in the fall would allow you cooler temperatures too and, as a bonus, excellent view of the colorful fall leaves. By the time you reach the coast in the fall, temperatures should still be favorable.
Based on the experience of past MST thru-hikers, it typically takes 2-3 months or 55-70 days to complete this adventure. It could be shorter if you to bike the roadways. Make sure you plan for days off, or what are known as "zero days," since you don't add miles on those days. Your body will need rest, and you should plan to be off the trail a day or so. Some hikers take days off for bad weather and also to see attractions in the area.
To plan your hike, consult the resources provided on this website and in other guidebooks. Develop a good estimate of how many miles you can travel in an average day. Most hikers start out hiking 10 to 12 miles a day, depending on physical condition (see also the fitness section). Create an itinerary and pencil in where you plan to stop each night. You may run ahead or behind schedule, but you still need a plan of attack before hitting the MST. For safety reasons, share your itinerary with several people.
Logistics will be an everyday issue while on the trail. The best way to change plans or coordinate food or supply drops is to carry a cell phone although coverage may be spotty in remote areas. The cell phone can also serve for emergency purposes. To save the battery, turn the phone off when not in use. (back to top)
Hiking alone or with one or more hiking partners is a personal preference. A solo hike can and has been done on the MST, although, having a partner has its advantages. Planning and logistics such as car shuttling can be easier with a partner, and it is always safer to have a partner when hiking any trail. (back to top)
“Trail legs" are hard to get and easy to lose. Walking, running, biking, cross-country skiing, and weight lifting before starting your trek will benefit you immensely. At a minimum, start an exercise program 3 to 6 months before hitting the trail. This is an excellent time to kick the smoking habit too, if necessary. In preparation for your trip, take several day hikes to break in your boots and weekend backpacking trips to make sure you have the right gear and your body is becoming conditioned. When you begin hiking the MST, stretch your legs well before and after a day of hiking. After about two weeks of hiking, you will feel the trail legs. (back to top)
Attend a first aid course offered by a local YMCA or Red Cross Center before beginning a long-distance hike. Several books are available in bookstores about wilderness first aid, but hands-on classes are the best. We only highlight a few first aid issues here.
One of hikers' worst nightmares is blistered feet. Always break-in your boots properly and carry mole skin or duct tape for wrapping your feet.
The importance of treating all drinking water cannot be stressed enough. Catching giardiasis from parasites in untreated water will put you off the trail for weeks. Stop for water frequently to avoid dehydration.You are only truly self-sufficient when you have enough water in your pack. Another way to stay healthy is to wash your dishes properly.
You will encounter insects, especially in the coastal section. Make sure you have adequate bug repellent. Snakes are often seen but bites are rare, unless provoked. Watch for bears in the mountains and the coastal section. The state's largest bear, weighing 880 pounds, was shot near New Bern. Make sure you hang all food and anything with an odor to avoid attracting unwanted visitors. Bear spray is recommended for your MST trip.
Sunburn can easily ruin portions of a long-distance trip. Apply sunscreen. Some brands of sunscreen come with insect repellent.
Frostbite, hypothermia, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are real issues that you must be aware of depending on the time of year you hike the MST. Familiarize yourself with signs of each of these conditions, and always make sure someone knows your general location on the trail. (back to top)
A typical hiker burns 4,000 to 6,000 calories a day on the trail. Therefore, large quantities of food are key! You will almost certainly lose weight on this cross-state adventure and lots of muscle too. There are three ways to get your food while hiking the MST. Choose one or more that will work best for you and plan your trip accordingly.
- Restock food supplies from local stores and gas stations you pass along the MST. You will be able to purchase fresh food, but this method can be very expensive because these stores often mark up their products since they cannot buy in bulk. Sometimes selections can be limited, and if the store is closed when you arrive you will not be able to shop. Hiking into town tacks on additional mileage, and on the way back you have added more weight to your back.
- Ship your food to a post office close to the MST. The post offices near the MST (listed west to east) are: Cherokee, Linville, Blowing Rock, Glendale Springs, Thurmond, Ararat, Danbury, Walnut Cove, Stokesdale, Belews, Altamahaw, Cedar Grove, Butner, Youngsville, Black Creek, LaGrange, Dover, New Bern, Arapahoe, Willston, Davis, Stacy, Cedar Island, Ocracoke, Hatteras Village, Avon, Salvo, Waves, and Rodanthe. This option requires a family member or friend to ship packages of food, clothes, and extra gear to the indicated post office at specific times. In addition, you may also send home items that you do not need anymore, such as camera film or dirty clothes. This system is very commonly used along the Appalachian Trail. Post offices are usually open Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and closed on major holidays, so plan accordingly. The cost of shipping is another item to factor into your budget. (See cost section below.)
- You can obtain fod along the trail by having family or friends meet you along the trail or on a nearby road to bring you supplies. Family or friends can arrive with another week or so of food — and a few treats to eat right away (e.g., cold soda or chocolate bars). In addition, you may have friends who plan to hike certain sections with you. They can assist you by bringing food and additional gear.
You can also arrange for your vehicle to "follow" you across the state with food and gear. Once every five-to-seven days, arrange to meet a friend who can give you a ride to your vehicle. Replenish your supplies, and then move your vehicle to the new starting point on the MST. If you do this, always park your vehicle in a secure place. This option requires that you carry a cell phone so you can change pick-up times and locations if necessary.
The types of food a thru-hiker eats can vary greatly. Most thru-hikers use dehydrated meals and prepackaged foods purchased in bulk. Super centers like Sam's Wholesale, Costco, or BJ's warehouse are good places to buy food in bulk for your trip. Dehydrating food yourself is a rewarding yet time-consuming option. Several books have been written on backcountry cooking and food. For long-distance hikes, canned goods are too heavy and bulky.
You may also want to consider a daily multivitamin tablet if you do not already take one. (back to top)
Developing a budget for a thru-hike is a must. A typical MST trip can cost between $1,500 and $5,000. Items to factor into your MST budget are health insurance, gear, food, gas, hotel/motel costs, shipping costs, phone cards or cell phone bills, mortgage/rent, income, etc. (back to top)
- Can I camp along the Blue Ridge Parkway?
- You can camp at the Blue Ridge Parkway designated campgrounds ONLY!
- Should I carry a gun?
- No. In some places along the MST, firearms are not allowed.
- Will I have to deal with strangers?
- Typically people are friendly along the MST, although you will need to use common sense.
- Other than bears, what else should I worry about?
- Dogs are occasionally a problem along the NC-DOT bike routes. Dogs may be startled by bikes or strangers with poles and, although it is rare, may attack. If you see a dog while hiking or biking, talk to the dog in a soft friendly tone and pause for a few moments before proceeding. To a dog, you may appear threatening as you barrel down the trail towards them. If you feel threatened by an off leash dog and the owner is present, simply ask the owner to please leash their dog. If you are attacked by a dog, you can protect yourself with hiking poles or bear spray.
- Should I carry a camera?
- YES, the scenery along the way is great and you will want to have photos of your adventure.
- What should I do if I see an issue on the trail that the FMST needs to address?
- Please email Jeff Brewer jdbrewer@bellsouth.net or Kate Dixon kdixon@ncmst.org.
Disclaimer: FMST does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, quality, suitability of any information provided on the website, or linked from or to it.
