Appalachian Trail Detour- Iron Mountain Gap

The Iron Mountain Gap detour is now in place to route hikers around the final remaining 6 miles of closed section of the Appalachian Trail from about a mile south of the destroyed Cherry Gap Shelter to about a mile north of Iron Mountain Gap (approx. NOBO mile 360.6 to 365.9). The detour is mapped below and is marked with temporary plastic white blazes.

The section of the A.T. that the Iron Mountain Gap Detour routes around remains closed to give crews room to remove debris left in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Removing storm debris will reduce wildfire risk by removing fuel (downed trees left by the storm). The timing for the completion of this work is not yet determined, but the goal is for the cleanup to be complete this summer.

Because of the safety hazards presented by heavy equipment used for the project, the section remains closed. Hikers must use the detour. Stay out of closed section for your safety and the safety of crews working.

For the latest safety information along the A.T., visit the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s trail update page.