Have you ever dreamed of hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT) but don’t want to carry a huge pack? Are you seeking an active vacation filled with challenges, good food, and even better company? Does a hot shower, a warm meal, and a real bed after a long day outdoors sound like your idea of bliss? You’re not alone! If you answered yes to any of these questions, AGC has the trip(s) for you!
How Slackpacking Differs From Traditional Hiking Trips
AGC's signature Slackpacking trips offer a unique way to experience all the magic of the AT while only carrying your extra layers, food, and water for each day.
The Appalachian Trail, spanning over 2,000 miles across 14 states from Georgia to Maine, is world-famous for its thru-hiking—the practice of hiking an entire long-distance trail from one end to the other in a single trip. Completing the AT thru-hike can take 4–7 months, depending on your speed, and while many people attempt it, few finish in one go. It's a trail rich with personality and stories that could take a lifetime to explore.
At AGC, we offer participants a taste of the AT through week-long section hikes in various states. The best part? No need to carry a heavy pack with a tent and all your food for the week! On our Slackpacking trips, you can hike the AT while enjoying the comforts of a real bed, hot shower, and home-cooked meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
We recognize that taking months off work or managing the weight of a large pack and sleeping outside simply isn’t feasible for most people. That’s why AGC’s Slackpacking trips are designed to offer the same rugged hiking experience, with the support of a good night’s sleep and healthy food to fuel your adventures. 
General Daily Flow
Times are approximate and vary based on location, day’s mileage, shuttle distance, etc.
| Time | Activity |
| 6:00 AM | Coffee is ready! The guides prepped it the night before because we know you want it hot and early. And yes, it is an early wake-up call, but you know the saying: “The early bird gets the….” |
| 6:30 AM | Breakfast is hot and ready! A daily spread of eggs, pancakes, frittatas, sausage, oats, yogurt, cereal, and fruit is always available. |
| 6:30 - 7:30 AM | Fuel up and pack your lunch! We’ve prepared a variety of salads and spreads to suit all preferences. Chocolate is always included—because what’s a day on the trail without treats? |
| 7:30 - 8/8:30 AM | Transport to the trailhead. Use this time to rest, hydrate, and prepare for a great day in the Green Tunnel ahead. |
| 8/8:30 AM | Hit the trail! |
| 8:30 - 11:30 AM | Hike, take a bathroom break or two, eat a snack, hydrate, snap some gorgeous pictures, walk some more! |
| 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Lunch! You didn’t pack that deliciousness for nothing. |
| 12:00 - 4:00 PM | Hike some more. Take more pictures. Eat more snacks. |
| 4:00 - 5:00 PM | Transport back to our home base. (Yes, you can take your shoes off now!) |
| 5:00 - 6:30 PM | Shower, Happy Hour, appetizers, downtime. |
| 6:30 PM | Dinner! And of course, Dessert! Always prepared fresh and to meet any dietary needs/restrictions. |
| 8:00 PM | Day’s debrief and run down of the trail/weather/logistics for the next day’s adventure on the AT |
| 9:00 PM | Time to hit the hay! We have another day of hiking, laughing, snacking, exploring, and connecting ahead. |
Hiking Experience
Hiking the Appalachian Trail is truly better experienced than explained, but we’ll do our best. The AT is nicknamed “The Green Tunnel” for its splendid and copious shades of green. While you’ll encounter mountaintops and vistas, much of each day is spent immersed in the forest's canopy.
On Slackpacking trips, all you have to carry is your day pack, which consists of:
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2–3L of water (+ electrolytes)
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Your favorite snacks + lunch
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Raincoat
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Warm layer
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Small personal medkit (guides carry a larger medkit)
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Headlamp
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Trekking poles
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And whatever else helps you feel prepared and ready to take on a challenge
Daily hikes range from 7 to 17 miles (depending on trip location and itinerary), with significant elevation changes and footing that’s famously rocky and rooty. These trips require excellent physical condition and a mental “can-do” attitude. The days are long, so we start early to maintain a steady, manageable pace.
While there are no take-out spots along the way, you can always stay at the house for the day should you (or some blisters) need a break! If those numbers sound daunting, remember, the primary goal each day (besides FUN!) is simply to get from point A to point B. All your essential needs, food, water, and shelter, are covered. All you have to do is put one foot in front of the other and enjoy the greenery and camaraderie of fellow strong women. Plus, you’re accompanied by two experienced wilderness guides who have wilderness medicine certifications and are prepared for any situation.
Downtime
Slackpacking trips offer a blend of adventure, comfort, and connection. While AGC’s Slackpacking trips aren’t centered around relaxation, that doesn’t mean it’s not part of the experience. After a day on the trail, each afternoon and evening, there’s space to shower, rest, stretch, and sip a beer or bubbly water before dinner. Evenings are spent eating together and discussing the next day’s hike—the remaining time is yours to use as you like.
Lodging
On AGC Slackpacking trips, we stay in large, beautiful homes with spacious gathering kitchens, cozy beds, and plenty of hot water for showers. You can choose private rooms or share with a roommate or two, depending on your preference/travel companions. While we don’t spend much time at home during the trip, our accommodations are always comfortable, clean, and conducive to rest and connection. And the best part? Our home base stays constant—you’ll only have to unpack once!
Food
While the hiking is fantastic, let’s be honest, some of the best moments of the day come when we eat. Food tastes better on the trail and after a long day outside, doesn’t it?
Each morning starts with a home-cooked breakfast spread, offering options for protein and dietary needs. After breakfast, it’s time to pack your lunch and snacks. Lunch includes a smorgasbord of choices, including sandwiches, salads, dips, chips, trail mix, fruit, and, of course, chocolate treats. The choice(s) is yours!
After a long day, AGC guides prepare appetizers and snacks for a little happy hour before a group dinner. Dinners are either cooked by your guides or enjoyed at a celebratory local restaurant. And dessert is always an option—you’re on vacation and working hard, after all!
Why Slackpacking with AGC?
There’s something profoundly magical about women coming together in the wilderness. Not only will you feel proud of your personal achievements over the week on the AT, but you’ll also experience a deep sense of shared empowerment.
We currently offer Slackpacking adventures in Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont—each one designed to showcase the beauty of the Appalachian Trail while letting you travel light and return to a cozy bed each night.
No matter each woman’s story, we all come together through a collective spirit of adventure, determination, and gratitude. This isn’t just a bucket list item—it’s an experience to be moved, challenged, celebrated, seen, and supported. It’s a metaphor for life.
