hiking beginner gear Women's Appalachian Trail Beginner Backpacking Trip- Roan Highlands, TN (2026)

hiking beginner gear Women's Appalachian Trail Beginner Backpacking Trip- Roan Highlands, TN (2026)This 3 day 2 night guided backpacking trip is perfect for beginners or first time backpackers! You'll hike alongside an experienced backpacking guide and a small group of women for approximately 15 miles over the course of 3 days on the Appalachian Trail. Explore the beautiful rolling hills, wide open mountain views, and winding woodland trails of the Appalachian Mountains along the TN NC border, one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world. Start

This 3 day / 2 night guided backpacking trip is perfect for beginners or first time backpackers! You'll hike alongside an experienced backpacking guide and a small group of women for approximately 15 miles over the course of 3 days on the Appalachian Trail. Explore the beautiful rolling hills, wide-open mountain views, and winding woodland trails of the Appalachian Mountains along the TN/NC border, one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world. Start the hike by soaking in the 360 degree mountain views from a series of wildflower covered, grassy mountain balds of the Roan Highlands, then camp in a tent overnight under the stars. The next day, wake up to the sounds of nature and then hike over another mountain bald before descending into the woodlands below, where you’ll see an abundance of flora and fauna native to southern Appalachia. You’ll camp a second night, and finish the hike on the third day with a series of small creek crossings. You’ll learn how to set up camp, filter water, cook meals, and practice safe backpacking skills with your guide. Trip includes full gear rental (a comfortable backpack, trekking poles, tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and cook kit), breakfast, lunch, and dinners during the trip, shuttle service to trail heads, and a video orientation before the trip to discuss planning and preparation. 

Click here to learn more about our Roan Highlands trip.

Difficulty Level: Beginner / Novice

This Beginner/Novice backpacking trip is considered Moderately Strenuous.  A moderately strenuous hike is considered to be generally challenging for an unconditioned person.  It is suitable for those with some hiking experience on a mix of terrain and elevation gain and loss.  While this trip is great for first time backpackers, you should be comfortable hiking at least 6-8 miles with a weighted day pack on varying terrain.

Daily mileage on this trip ranges from 3 miles to 5.7 miles, with up to 1,820' of elevation gain.  The terrain on this route is rocky and rooty, so you should be comfortable hiking on uneven terrain and have good traction on your shoes.  There are some steep inclines and a few large rock steps, as well as a few log bridge creek crossings. 

You will be expected to carry your own backpacking gear for the duration of the trip (gear rental included).  Your fully loaded pack should be under 20% of your body weight, or around 25-30 pounds. You will receive a detailed packing list after booking, and your guide will discuss what to bring (and what not to bring) during your virtual orientation.  It's important to keep your pack weight low to reduce your risk of injury and to make your hike more enjoyable.

What's Included:

• Virtual Orientation and Q&A session with your guide before the trip
• Full backpacking gear rental: backpack, trekking poles, tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, cook kit, and water filtration
• On-trail meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
• Shuttle service from meeting location to trailhead
• Expect advice, tips, and planning from an experienced backpacking guide

Not Included:

• Guide gratuity (recommended 15-20% of trip cost)
• Meals before/after trip
• Lodging before/after trip
  
• Transportation from airports or hotels

Travel Insurance:

• We highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance with appropriate coverage.  Travel insurance may be used to reimburse the cost of an unexpected trip cancellation, for reasons such as illness, injury, a death in the family, or travel delays.  Wildwood Hiking Company does not offer travel insurance, but you can search online for a provider that fits your needs.