I like your list. I hiked 10 years before you in 04. Took around 40 zero days along the way. Loved finding that beer and burger. Waynesboro was awesome. One you didn't mention that I loved was Palmerton, PA. Good stuff Red Beard!
It was in my list actually but i removed it cause I just couldn't leave Harpers Ferry out. Great town I stayed the night at a free church hostel in Palmerton and watched the World Cup Final in a bar hotel restaurant/bar. So many great memories.
Hot Springs was the first town I actually felt like I got some rest at on my thru hike in 2015. In Waynesboro I did a zero just so I could go to Ming's a second time. Rangeley Maine was the nicest town I stayed at in Maine.
Red Beard!!!! You just instantly became a brother by not only mentioning Hot Springs N.C. but also rating this amazing town #1 on your list!! I lived in Boone and Ashville N.C. for 10 years and traveled up, down and all around the east coast, and this town has such a special, homey feel. Everything you mentioned including the awesome restaurant located next to the creek instantly I could picture it as though I was there at this moment!!! Great pick/ see you in the woods!!
Will, Hollywood here! So glad you had Hot Springs as number one. The only time I got to hike a part of the AT was right here. My wife and I were visiting her family near Asheville and we went into Hot Springs. They went into town while I hiked a half hour north and then 30mins. back. (We actually timed it to the minute, wow.)Wish I had the time to hike the whole trail, but Disney won't give me that much time off. I'll have to wait for retirement. Thanks for the video!
You gotta love Hot Springs,NC. I live in the AT town of Erwin,TN and the trail crosses the road about 4 1/2 miles above my house. I help with a local shuttle business as well as picking up hikers on my personal travels. Erwin is beginning to embrace hikers more every year. I really look forward to seeing everyone this year. Rode through Hot Springs yesterday by the way.
I live 50 miles or so from Hot Springs and figured it had to be on your list. I do a lot of day hiking and photography all around the area, including a few stretches of the AT, but have only been to Hot Springs a couple of times. It is a neat little place.
Next time you are in Waynesboro check out the Plumb house. It is on the left hand side at the top of main street. It played a role in the battle of Waynesboro which was surrounding it and even has a cannonball that is stuck in one of the baseboards. Try to catch it on a day when they do tours. Also pay attention to the brick work, some of them you can see the hand prints of the people that made them.
Hey Red Beard. Thanks for your videos. They've been helpful in planning my 2020 AT nobo. Godspeed on your journey way down south this year. I pray you have an amazing hike and see images you'll never forget. You are truly blessed to be able to do things you do. Birdman out.
Thanks for this and all your videos RB! I've watched all your vids and recently enjoyed your Superior Hiking Trail series; that's now on the bucket list thanks to you! Always great information with a great presence on screen and I appreciate your efforts. I just went through Hot Springs on my nobo section hike and loved it too! Thanks again and stay safe out there. - Banker
Great Barrington MA was so expensive and the restaurants didn't offer free refills. Lol I drank so many soft drinks and abour fainted when I got the bill. I resupplied at a CVS in front of our Days Inn hotel. It was so expensive to resupply.
Hey Redbeard, could I have you on a community access interview Variety show about the Appalachian trail I'm trying to get Dixie on as well would be cool to have you guys on the show. It would be over zoom would like to educate people about the AT and hiking thru and segment hiking the AT. - and about hiking equipment etc. - would love to have you on. If you happen to be visiting Boston any time soon we could set up an in studio as well if you'd prefer. But zoom is easy! the show is 60 minutes. and called the Notables. let me know if you might be interested.
I thru hiked back in 2017, I was waiting through the whole video to see if Hot Springs made your list. I actually spent 2 zero days there being lazy and going to the tavern to eat chicken wings, drink beer, and watch the bluegrass band. The locals there referred to the dollar general as "the mall" and the diner served biscuits and gravy with brown gravy which is a sin where Im from lol
Thanks so much for the great info! Just wanted to give y'all a heads up, Gatlinburg, TN is no longer offering free moonshine tasting. Tastings are now offered for $5 at each place (plus they stamp your hand, so no repeat customers). You will receive a $5 off coupon...so if you buy something, you will get your money back.
Gatlinburg is my favorite place in the world. If any hikers decide to stop there, Parton's Deli has the best sandwiches you will ever eat! It is hard to find due to how small it is and it has a very small sign. it is next door to hillbilly golf.
No Hanover? The last big trail town northbound, and perhaps the most hiker friendly. They give free food to hikers, and have lists of tons of trail angels.
Thanks for the great information. Are most restaurants in trail towns or any town as far as that goes open to hikers who don't have a chance to clean up for the meal?
Ha! Hot Springs is my local town. I'm close to Max Patch but there aint nothing outhere :) I was like is he not gonna mention Hot Springs? and Bam #1. hey whats the best place close to Max patch to do some trail magic for the hikers? the Patch itself or Roaring Fork?
+Appalachian Snapshot thanks for the info. No sense adding any more there. I'll be checking it out I figure I got 3 spots to checkout - max patch , roaring fork or lemon gap.
I love Hot Springs. My favorite place to eat is Smoky Mtn. Diner. Been back several times to hike the AT. WARNING: DO NOT PARK YOUR CAR IN THE PUBLIC PARKING AREA IF YOU ARE BACKPACKING. Park in the hiker lot next to Laughing Heart hostel. The AT goes right through it. My very first AT section backpacking trip back in 2014 I parked there. Big mistake. I should have known better because it's behind all the bars. Well, I was gone 4 days and got back to my car all tired and miserable to find some drunks had smashed in the passenger side window. My car was full of glass and a couple of beer bottles were lying next to it. It cost $415.00 to have the window replaced.
Tyler K I loved Port Clinton and it honestly was almost in my top 10. Super super small and no resupply that's why it was left out. But I ate a burger at the hotel restaurant there and hit the fire station for a beer with the locals and camped at the free campsite. Totally recommend a night there.
Hi Redbeard! Any chance you are coming to Trail Days in 2020?. We'd love to host you! Check us out on Guthook, AOL's Nobo guide or google, TripAdv too actually. Mountain Laurel Inn, Damascus VA. Serioulsy, reach out - would love to show you much better hospitality than your previous visit.
Hey Will, did you stay in Millinocket by chance? If so, how did you like the town? Millinocket recently got designated as an AT community. It fallen on hard times in the 2 decades but slowly evolving.
I did stay there. It was great. In fact we even had some locals talk to us for a while at a fast food place. They were retired forest fire fighters. Pretty cool.
Redbeard, man, have bad news: the good ole gypsy joynt closed is gone! They didn't pay their taxes... GB area is sort of home for me. We miss the place, and hikers will too!
Hot springs native have always never had a problem with hikers it's the more high class tourists that have changed this town for the worst unfortunately 20 years ago there were a million places to camp and fish that you could just go to now all the best spots have been bought and it either costs money or you can't go at all
Helen.. actually Cleveland , is my hometown.. I'm a regular at Bigg Daddys and one of my best friends families own Bettys.. Helen is definitely a good place to come into! And, he aint lyin" Bigg Daddys has some GREAT food!
Gatlinburg did not burned down!! Just there 2 weeks ago all of main St. is there. It is a long way off trail and the long any trail is off trail the less trail friendly the town is...
@@november151956 It kinda reminds me of the Rockos modern life episode where heifer gets stuck in the bavarian bratwurst cult and they freak the fuck out when he gets pizza.
I think a worst 10 towns on the AT would be very informative as well.
I like your list. I hiked 10 years before you in 04. Took around 40 zero days along the way. Loved finding that beer and burger. Waynesboro was awesome. One you didn't mention that I loved was Palmerton, PA. Good stuff Red Beard!
It was in my list actually but i removed it cause I just couldn't leave Harpers Ferry out. Great town I stayed the night at a free church hostel in Palmerton and watched the World Cup Final in a bar hotel restaurant/bar. So many great memories.
Hot Springs was the first town I actually felt like I got some rest at on my thru hike in 2015. In Waynesboro I did a zero just so I could go to Ming's a second time. Rangeley Maine was the nicest town I stayed at in Maine.
Red Beard!!!! You just instantly became a brother by not only mentioning Hot Springs N.C. but also rating this amazing town #1 on your list!! I lived in Boone and Ashville N.C. for 10 years and traveled up, down and all around the east coast, and this town has such a special, homey feel. Everything you mentioned including the awesome restaurant located next to the creek instantly I could picture it as though I was there at this moment!!! Great pick/ see you in the woods!!
How funny you posted this. I was just watching your AT videos agin. Only 14 months till AT2018. Can't wait been planning for years
How did It go?
He died
Will, Hollywood here! So glad you had Hot Springs as number one. The only time I got to hike a part of the AT was right here. My wife and I were visiting her family near Asheville and we went into Hot Springs. They went into town while I hiked a half hour north and then 30mins. back. (We actually timed it to the minute, wow.)Wish I had the time to hike the whole trail, but Disney won't give me that much time off. I'll have to wait for retirement. Thanks for the video!
the quality inn in harpers ferry is nice to trail hikes they love thru hikers
You gotta love Hot Springs,NC. I live in the AT town of Erwin,TN and the trail crosses the road about 4 1/2 miles above my house. I help with a local shuttle business as well as picking up hikers on my personal travels. Erwin is beginning to embrace hikers more every year. I really look forward to seeing everyone this year. Rode through Hot Springs yesterday by the way.
port Clinton and Duncannon are awesome .small though .you can feel the AT culture there..
brett hikez I hated duncannon.
good to see you brother, hike on.
I live 50 miles or so from Hot Springs and figured it had to be on your list. I do a lot of day hiking and photography all around the area, including a few stretches of the AT, but have only been to Hot Springs a couple of times. It is a neat little place.
What a great list Will. These are now on my list. Thanks!
Next time you are in Waynesboro check out the Plumb house. It is on the left hand side at the top of main street. It played a role in the battle of Waynesboro which was surrounding it and even has a cannonball that is stuck in one of the baseboards. Try to catch it on a day when they do tours. Also pay attention to the brick work, some of them you can see the hand prints of the people that made them.
I'm surprised Duncannon, PA didn't make your list haha
Hey Red Beard. Thanks for your videos. They've been helpful in planning my 2020 AT nobo. Godspeed on your journey way down south this year. I pray you have an amazing hike and see images you'll never forget. You are truly blessed to be able to do things you do. Birdman out.
Smokey Mountain Diner in Hot Springs is pretty amazing too!
Thanks for this and all your videos RB! I've watched all your vids and recently enjoyed your Superior Hiking Trail series; that's now on the bucket list thanks to you! Always great information with a great presence on screen and I appreciate your efforts. I just went through Hot Springs on my nobo section hike and loved it too! Thanks again and stay safe out there. - Banker
Upload a bit more regularly please, if you can. Your videos are awesome. I've watched all your PCT and AT hikes.
awesome video.. I'm starting my thru hike end of Feb.. I will try these places out!!
North Carolina represent! I live in Boone and can attest that Hot Springs is a wonderful spot.
Rangeley is amazing. we stayed at the exact same motel.
Great Barrington MA was so expensive and the restaurants didn't offer free refills. Lol I drank so many soft drinks and abour fainted when I got the bill. I resupplied at a CVS in front of our Days Inn hotel. It was so expensive to resupply.
Great list of towns I look forward to visiting on my through. Thanks for sharing! :)
This is great since I plan on thru hiking next year!
Plant Powered Strength me too
Cool video. You should do the top trail towns of the PCT!
Can you make a video on northbound versus south bound on the AT please?
robert frost was from lawrence,ma and was valedictorian at lawrence high school
Hey Redbeard, could I have you on a community access interview Variety show about the Appalachian trail I'm trying to get Dixie on as well would be cool to have you guys on the show. It would be over zoom would like to educate people about the AT and hiking thru and segment hiking the AT. - and about hiking equipment etc. - would love to have you on. If you happen to be visiting Boston any time soon we could set up an in studio as well if you'd prefer. But zoom is easy! the show is 60 minutes. and called the Notables. let me know if you might be interested.
Weekends in some of these tourist towns get pretty crowded with people, especially in tourist season => might not find hotel room.
Love the picture behind you.
Are there places to shower before you go into town? I'd hate to go into a restaurant, or grocery store smelling rotten.
Nantahala Outdoor Center in NC and Fontana Village are great
True loved both and wanted to include them but I guess i just dont consider them towns.
I thru hiked back in 2017, I was waiting through the whole video to see if Hot Springs made your list. I actually spent 2 zero days there being lazy and going to the tavern to eat chicken wings, drink beer, and watch the bluegrass band. The locals there referred to the dollar general as "the mall" and the diner served biscuits and gravy with brown gravy which is a sin where Im from lol
Someone should do a video on the closest walmarts to the AT.
Raymond Wilson that’s easy. There’s only one or two. Get ready for Family Dollar! 🙌
Thanks so much for the great info! Just wanted to give y'all a heads up, Gatlinburg, TN is no longer offering free moonshine tasting. Tastings are now offered for $5 at each place (plus they stamp your hand, so no repeat customers). You will receive a $5 off coupon...so if you buy something, you will get your money back.
Can second hot springs! Best trail town I’ve ever been in
Gatlinburg is my favorite place in the world. If any hikers decide to stop there, Parton's Deli has the best sandwiches you will ever eat! It is hard to find due to how small it is and it has a very small sign. it is next door to hillbilly golf.
I will mark the towns in my 2017 Awols as soon as it's delivered. thanks! Go Zpacks!
I love your videos! I was just wondering if u ever want to do the continental divide trail? I heard it is very amazing!
been to number 9 and number 5 number 9 is were I first found out ab the AT
What book do you recommend for planning a thru hike on the AT?
No Hanover? The last big trail town northbound, and perhaps the most hiker friendly. They give free food to hikers, and have lists of tons of trail angels.
great town for sure. but i didnt experience it as others would because I got a hotel in more of the burbs area.
where is a safe place to keep your gear when going into town
Great list
Thanks for the great information. Are most restaurants in trail towns or any town as far as that goes open to hikers who don't have a chance to clean up for the meal?
Hey Will,
Did you ever end up hiking the end of the PCT?
Have you ever thought of doing hikes in Colorado
Great video.. Thanks Will
Cool Video, Thank's for posting,
Unfortunately gypsy joint is no longer. I loved that place as well
Zachary Marks wow very sad to hear! Can't believe it closed down. It was slammed when I went there.
Gypsy Joint had landlord issues....... too bad!
Ha! Hot Springs is my local town. I'm close to Max Patch but there aint nothing outhere :)
I was like is he not gonna mention Hot Springs? and Bam #1.
hey whats the best place close to Max patch to do some trail magic for the hikers? the Patch itself or Roaring Fork?
A lot of trail angels set up at Brown Gap on the AT each year. As I recall it's only 3 miles south of Max Patch.
+Appalachian Snapshot thanks for the info. No sense adding any more there. I'll be checking it out I figure I got 3 spots to checkout - max patch , roaring fork or lemon gap.
Have you ever considered the Canol Trail in Northern Canada? Was watching a guy bike it on you tube last week. Just curious. Love the videos sir.
This was great! Thank you
Great info; thanks a lot.
I love Hot Springs. My favorite place to eat is Smoky Mtn. Diner. Been back several times to hike the AT. WARNING: DO NOT PARK YOUR CAR IN THE PUBLIC PARKING AREA IF YOU ARE BACKPACKING. Park in the hiker lot next to Laughing Heart hostel. The AT goes right through it. My very first AT section backpacking trip back in 2014 I parked there. Big mistake. I should have known better because it's behind all the bars. Well, I was gone 4 days and got back to my car all tired and miserable to find some drunks had smashed in the passenger side window. My car was full of glass and a couple of beer bottles were lying next to it. It cost $415.00 to have the window replaced.
To clarify, my car was vandalized in the public parking area, not at the hostel.
well, that can happen anywhere dude. even in a local park. could have been stolen, worse...
Great video. Thx. How about doing a video, based upon your experiences, of places that a thru hiker might want to avoid for one reason or another.
Gatlinburg is awesome!! Haven't been there since the fire...
I can't wait to plan my through hike. I live a few miles from Port Clinton, and hiked most of the AT in Pa. How was your experience in Port Clinton?
Tyler K I loved Port Clinton and it honestly was almost in my top 10. Super super small and no resupply that's why it was left out. But I ate a burger at the hotel restaurant there and hit the fire station for a beer with the locals and camped at the free campsite. Totally recommend a night there.
How many zeros did you take? i know ill be missing out on stuff because im on a timeline, sadly.
about 40. ha
god damn! dont think i can miss the fall semester of school or else i would totally take more time taking zeros.
Oventoasted Taking zeros?
you disappeared. Glad to see you on here.
Hi Redbeard! Any chance you are coming to Trail Days in 2020?. We'd love to host you! Check us out on Guthook, AOL's Nobo guide or google, TripAdv too actually. Mountain Laurel Inn, Damascus VA. Serioulsy, reach out - would love to show you much better hospitality than your previous visit.
trail days is great!
Hey Will, did you stay in Millinocket by chance? If so, how did you like the town? Millinocket recently got designated as an AT community. It fallen on hard times in the 2 decades but slowly evolving.
I did stay there. It was great. In fact we even had some locals talk to us for a while at a fast food place. They were retired forest fire fighters. Pretty cool.
Super advice
Great list man! I put mine together as well and we have some similar ones. Maybe I'll do mine in video format as well. -Figgy c/o 2014
Redbeard, man, have bad news: the good ole gypsy joynt closed is gone! They didn't pay their taxes... GB area is sort of home for me. We miss the place, and hikers will too!
Help Blessing of adventure
Hot springs native have always never had a problem with hikers it's the more high class tourists that have changed this town for the worst unfortunately 20 years ago there were a million places to camp and fish that you could just go to now all the best spots have been bought and it either costs money or you can't go at all
Helen.. actually Cleveland , is my hometown.. I'm a regular at Bigg Daddys and one of my best friends families own Bettys.. Helen is definitely a good place to come into! And, he aint lyin" Bigg Daddys has some GREAT food!
hey, what's the youngest person you met on the AT?
+Johnny Rice 17 year old girl hiking alone, 8 year old kid with family, don't know if they finished.
live in Waynesboro it is best Chinese place around
Gatlinburg burned down :(
911LexVegas the downtown was nearly untouched surrounding cabins not the same story.
Gatlinburg did not burned down!! Just there 2 weeks ago all of main St. is there. It is a long way off trail and the long any trail is off trail the less trail friendly the town is...
Word from other hikers is Gatlinburg is not hiker friendly. I'm thinking that's due to the anti-hitching laws.
@@november151956 It kinda reminds me of the Rockos modern life episode where heifer gets stuck in the bavarian bratwurst cult and they freak the fuck out when he gets pizza.
first
Appalachian= App-uh-latch-uhn
Good thing we got the pronunciation police out there keeping us safe
Not where I come from.