Pinhoti National Recreational Trail

The Pinhoti National Recreational Trail (PNRT), also called the Pinhoti Trail, is a long-distance footpath blazed with turkey-track markings. The route spans roughly 335–350 miles across Alabama and Georgia, with the trail tying into the Benton MacKaye Trail system at the northern end.

The southern terminus is Flagg Mountain near Weogufka, Alabama, and the trail proceeds north through Talladega National Forest and toward the Blue Ridge Mountains in northern Georgia. The corridor is commonly described as a highland spine with ridges and hardwood forest stretches, plus some connecting road walks.

The trail’s two large-state sections are about 171 miles in Alabama and about 164 miles in Georgia, forming a continuous long hike through multiple wilderness areas and National Forest land.

Historically, the PNRT was designated a National Recreation Trail in 1977 (Talledega National Forest portions). The route was initially completed in February 2008 and officially opened March 16, 2008, with continuing efforts to improve the alignment by moving some road-walk sections onto trail.

For navigation at the long-distance scale, rely on the turkey-track blazes and plan for stretches that can include road walking. The overall footbed is mapped as “ground” surface, and the route is designated for hiking (not horses).

At the northern end, the trail joins the Benton MacKaye Trail, which gives through-hikers a path onward into the Appalachian Trail network via connector options. The PNRT itself is also described as part of very long-distance Eastern Continental / Great Eastern trail networks.

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