Not quite a hotel, hostels are a place where a traveler can rest for cheap. It usually involves bunk rooms, communal showers, and a caretaker that can make or break your stay.
Hostels are placed all along the AT corridor in towns both big and small. They are an alternative to a hotel when there are none, or if you are trying to save money. Some will even give you discounts if you need to stay multiple days due to an injury.
The hostels on the AT are specially suited for hikers. Often they will sell gear or food that hikers are looking for. Some even offer shuttles and options to slackpack (they hold on to your gear while you hike).
Each hostel is vastly different. They will cost anywhere between nothing and 50 per night, with most being somewhere in between.
Top of Georgia Hostel
My first impression of a hostel was in Hiawassee, GA at the newly opened Top of Georgia Hostel. A short walk from the trail, it seemed like the easiest option for someone still learning the ins and outs of hiking the trail. Unfortunately my first impression was not a good one. With an extremely overbearing owner and strict shuttle schedules to go into town, I was stressed out and annoyed.
Standing Bear
Luckily I decided to give hostels another chance. Coming out of Great Smoky Mountain National Park hikers are exhausted and starving. Most have spent the better part of 5 or 6 days hiking on some of the toughest terrain thus far on the trail. I was in need of a rest and was excited to reach Standing Bear Hostel.
Few things could have prepared me for this rustic experience. Standing bear is an old farmstead converted into a hostel. There are freestanding buildings that got converted into bunkrooms, outdoor showers, and a basin to hand wash your laundry. Chickens and dogs (and hikers) roam freely about the property.
Standing Bear Farm Hostel
Mountain Harbour B&B
Just outside of Roan Mountain, TN we were told to visit Mountain Harbour B&B/Hostel. The word on the trail was that this place had the best breakfast the world had to offer.
The weather was nice so we decided to save money by taking a camp site on their property. We set up our tents next to a quiet stream and commenced our nightly chores. In the morning we headed up to the main house for breakfast.
We had been hiking for just about 2 months at this point and I can only describe this from the POV of someone that has been living in the WOODS .We entered the owners living room where the air was warm (HEAT!!!) and the TV was playing (the WEATHER CHANNEL!). On the tables sat REAL silverware, dishes and glasses!
I poured myself a cup of coffee and watched as a woman (angel?) prepared a feast. To this day I swear that this is one of the best breakfasts I have ever eaten. If I could one day be as good of a cook as this woman, my life would be complete.
The goodies included, (all made from scratch BTW), home fries, biscuits, gravy, eggs, corn tamales (baked in the husk) rhubarb jelly, pancakes, apple butter, and breakfast tacos with sausage.
Would I go back? In a heartbeat. In fact I would hike the 400 miles from Springer Mountain to experience that breakfast again.
Mountain Harbour B&B Breakfast
Chet's Place
There are some people that offer places to stay for free. One of my favorites was Chet’s Place in Lincoln, NH. Not listed in any guide books, you have to rely on locals and other hikers to guide you there.
After 2 days in the park I found myself exhausted and for the first time thinking about quitting. The Whites were ripping me a new one. After reaching Chet’s place we decided to take a whole day off. Chet was accommodating and kind and just what I needed to recover and get my ass back on the trail.
The Farmhouse Hostel
A few weeks later we came across The Farmhouse Hostel in Rangeley, Maine. It is a new hostel (as of 2014), run by Stacy and Shane, two of the nicest people you will ever meet. For a decent price they can boast some of the nicest accommodations on the trail.
Comfy beds with white sheets (yes they trust us hikers with WHITE sheets!), and a full kitchen complete with utensils and other cookware. They offer slackpacking and shuttles into Rangeley. The only bad part was having to leave!
Upper Goose Pond Cabin
While not really a hostel, I want to mention Upper Goose Pond Cabin in Massachusetts. Only accessible by hiking in, this AMC run "shelter" has bunks with mattresses and a seasonal caretaker that makes pancakes!
Those are some of my most memorable hostel experiences. There are many hostels along the trail that I didn't get to experience, but I'm sure that are all equally as memorable. The only way to know is to get out there and see for yourself!