Activate map
Specialties
We are a hiker /cyclist hostel ½ mile west of the Appalachian Trail (DIcks Creek Gap) in the town of Hiawassee, GA. We offer an affordable $ 20 per night bunk /shower combo, along with nice amenities such as hospital scrubs to wear while WE do your laundry, massaging marble footbaths, backpack shakedowns from «Triple Crown» hiker Bob «Sir-Packs-Alot» Gabrielsen, frozen pizza and snack foods, a full gearshop (re-supply as well– «Wolfpen Outfitters»), free shuttles to the nearby town of Hiawassee a few times per day, and a full service shuttle to points on the trail ranging from Atlanta to Fontana Lake and most points in between.
History
Established in 2014.
Born out of nothing short of a «miracle» from the goodness of heart of the Appalachian Trail community and the persistence of our founder (Trail icon Bob «Sir-Packs-Alot» Gabrielsen) — the property which is SO close to the trail — was purchased on Valentines Day 2014 — and 25 volunteers worked /slept /ate there for 2 weeks straight for us to open our door March 1, 2014. Without being in any of the guide books and having another hostel and 2 inns that hikers knew well to contend with — out of 2,000 thru hikers on the Appalachian Trail in March and April of 2014 — just over 1,000 stayed at «the Top of Georgia Hostel and Hiking Center». We are open ALL YEAR and we conduct educational programs here as well.
Meet the Business Owner
Bob G.
Business Owner
Bob grew up loving everything outdoors ! He’s been a National Park Ranger, Guide/Storteller, Filmmaker, Georgia Master Naturalist, and does regular seminars on Backpacking, Wilderness Survival and Wilderness First Aid for the Georgia State Parks. He is an esteemed «Triple Crowner» (having hiked the entirety of the US’s most famous long distance trails — including the 2,186 mile Appalachian Trail). He has become a fixture on the Appalachian Trail (or «AT») after having been involved with her for over 30 years !