Pinhoti National Recreational Trail

Pinhoti National Recreational Trail (PNRT) is a long-distance footpath in Alabama and Georgia that links to the Appalachian Trail system through the Benton MacKaye Trail. It runs on Turkey-foot style trail markers and is maintained for hiking use (no bicycles or horses on the route line used here).

Route length is commonly cited around 335–350 miles, with major mileage split between Alabama (~171 miles) and Georgia (~164 miles). The trail’s main hiking direction is northbound from its Alabama start near Weogufka (Flagg Mountain area) toward the Blue Ridge Mountains in northern Georgia, where it connects to the Benton MacKaye Trail near Weaver Creek.

Most of the Alabama hiking follows the Talladega National Forest corridor, including the Cheaha Wilderness and the Dugger Mountain Wilderness, with trailside roadwalking sections incorporated as part of the overall system length.

In Georgia, the route spends substantial time in the Chattahoochee National Forest, continuing north past the state-line area and onward toward the Blue Ridge connection point with the Benton MacKaye Trail.

The trail reaches its high point near Buddy Cove Gap (around 3,164 ft) and drops to its lowest point near Weogufka Creek (around 545 ft). Expect changing terrain across ridges and mountain country, with some segments that can involve rocky footing and creek crossings.

Trail planning: if you’re committing to multiweek travel, do your basic feature scout before moving—especially where the route crosses water or climbs steep ridgelines—and re-check current conditions when weather turns wet, since wet ground and creek crossings can meaningfully change pacing and footing.

More information: Wikipedia, Pinhoti Trail – Woodlands and Waters - WordPress.com, the professor sings sweet home alabama: hiking the pinhoti trail in ...