Hiawassee, Georgia is a popular step off point on the Appalachian Trail for resupply and rest.
But, what does Hiawassee offer to hikers that make it so popular?
Hotels in Hiawassee
Holiday Inn Express – I personally highly recommend staying here. The staff is super friendly. The rooms are affordable (make sure to ask for the thru-hiker rate). The free breakfast is amazing (love their cinnamon rolls), there is coin laundry and vending machines as well. Oh and a huge bonus is the indoor pool and hot tub. The rooms have huge jacuzzi tubs as well! I was held up here for several days nursing a bum knee and waiting for the weather to pass and a package to arrive during my Appalachian Trail thru-hike (before I was forced off trail due to the pandemic).
Budget Inn – I don’t have any personal experience with this hotel but was warned by several prior thru-hikers (and a couple of shuttle drivers) to not stay here. Nonetheless, they offer coin laundry and free shuttle for guests to/from Dick’s Creek.
Food & Resupply
There are several fast food options in Hiawassee such as Hardee’s, McDonald’s, Blimpie’s, Taco Bell, Zaxbys, and Dominos all within short walking distance from the hotels.
For resupply there is an Ingles about .5 mile from the Holiday Inn Express and a Dollar General (although not much food options) about .4 from from the Holiday Inn Express.
Laundry
There is a coin laundry in town right next to the Dollar General. I didn’t use it due to the fact that my hotel had coin laundry on each floor.
Hiawassee Post Office
The Hiawassee post office is located in front of the Ingles supermarket and next to the only outfitter in town. It’s open Monday-Friday from 0830-1700 and on Saturday from 0830-1200. It’s small, but they are super friendly and helpful!
Outfitter
There is only one outfitter in Hiawassee that I could find, Trailful Outdoor Co. It’s located next to the post office in a small shopping center.
The outfitter is small but worth checking out if you need replacements or need to swap out gear. I, unfortunately, couldn’t find what I needed. Looking to replace my inflatable pad and they only had 3 options to choose from at that time, although they did say they expected more options in soon. They did, however, have several backpacks if you need to make that swap.
Have you stayed in Hiawassee during your thru hike of the Appalachian Trail? Leave a comment below and tell us your recommendations!
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