The route begins where the AT meets Shook Branch Road at Boots Off Hostel in Hampton, TN and goes to the iconic arch in the Damascus, VA city park. 2023 data book has the start and end points as NOBO mile markers 428.8-470.4. The route can be attempted NOBO or SOBO. Best I am aware, this has been a challenge to hikers from the staff at Boots Off Hostel, going back to at least 2019 if not further back. This is 40+ miles of classic Appalachian Trail single-track.
Northbound you head out on the road and cross the highway to begin your route around Wautaga Lake. You will pass four AT shelters and an emergency shelter along the way. Views may be limited depending on the time of year, the water sources can be scarce as well if it has not rained.
There are four road crossings in this section which can be helpful in a supported FKT attempt.
Mile 432.9 Wilber Dam Road
Mile 449.1 CrossMountain/TN91
Mile 455.7 Low Gap/US 421
Mile 459.4 McQueen Gap Road
Data on the points can be found on the Farout app, the ATC website, and any of the current data books that provide mileage information. I have used actual gps data mapped when attempting the unsupported FKT, The published values found on the Appalachian Trail Calculator do not have the exact start and finish points but provide a close estimate to the actual recorded mileage. https://www.atdist.com/
