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Longboysfan
03-28-2017, 08:58
I'm planning to pick up my section hike in the fall from Franklin N.C.
Get shuttle to route 64 where I finished this past week. Hike to Fontana Dam.
It's only about 55 trail miles. So it's just a week.

I was told to fly into Ashville, N.C.
Then best options are to???
Rent a car and drive? Shuttle?
Stay at?
What is best way back to Ashville - airport?
Can you rent a car in Fontana Village / town to get back or shuttle?

bigcranky
03-28-2017, 12:09
That's a great section.

I would rent a car and drive down, it's about an hour and a half from Asheville. (2.5 hours from Atlanta, and maybe cheaper to fly in.) Park at Fontana Dam and get a ride to Winding Stair Gap/US 64. The Hike Inn shuttles, as does Ron Haven. Plenty of places to stay in Franklin the night before or after.

Plan on a night at Nantahala Outdoor Center midway thru the hike.

Tennessee Viking
03-28-2017, 12:42
https://whiteblaze.net/forum/shuttles-2016.php

Check the shuttle list. There are plenty of shuttlers around the Asheville area that will pickup from the airport.

Slo-go'en
03-28-2017, 13:28
https://whiteblaze.net/forum/shuttles-2016.php

Check the shuttle list. There are plenty of shuttlers around the Asheville area that will pickup from the airport.

That's the best option. The problem with renting a car is there probably isn't anywhere to drop it off in Franklin and paying to park it for a week doesn't make sense either.

bigcranky
03-28-2017, 14:08
The main issue with a shuttle from AVL is that he needs two of them, both fairly long. One to WSG, and one back from Fontana, both are 1.5+ hours and about 85 miles, so that could cost $300 total depending on who does the shuttle.

TNhiker
03-28-2017, 14:16
i would fly into knoxville-----rent car...........

take it to fontana dam.......

park car there......

have hike inn shuttle you to start point....

hike to fontana...

pick up car and drive back to knoxville airport........


also---theres not much in fontana villiage.....

mainly places to stay and a small store, but no car rental place or anything like that.....

Longboysfan
03-28-2017, 15:56
Thank you for the information.

O.K. Is there a hotel at Fontana Dam to stay in?
Is there a shuttle I could get from there to Winding Stair Gap?
Or
is there a better alternative?

bigcranky
03-28-2017, 15:58
We've always been happy at The Hike Inn. And they shuttle.

TNhiker
03-28-2017, 16:01
agreed with staying at hike inn...

and yeah---they can shuttle you..

or stay in fontana villiage..............and also have hike inn shuttle ya.....

theres also a hotel in robbinsville but thats 20 ish minutes away or so..............

Sandy of PA
03-28-2017, 18:32
The Lodge at Fontana Village is a nice place to stay with a hiker rate.

Longboysfan
03-29-2017, 09:22
Thank you.
At this point I may just drive to Fontana Village - Stay overnight - hopefully park car there.
Shuttle to Winding stair GAP.
Hike back to Fontana Village - then pick up car from there.