Located about .3 from the Appalachian Trail, Hikers Welcome is everything that you need as a long distance hiker. The bunk room and house have the traditional bunks, plenty of places to hang your stuff. There is laundry facilities, showers, bathrooms, and they can do a resupply (food, fuel, toiletries) at reasonable prices. They also have several food items - chips, candy, ice cream, soda, pizza, and Jimmy Dean egg sandwiches - available for purchase. Finally, they do slackpacking over Mousalake, which is well worth the cost; furthermore, they work with other hostels in the area on other slacks as well (ex. they will shuttle your pack, etc). They shuttle to and from the trailhead and run a shuttle to the general store/deli every evening.
The hostel is owned by a former thru-hiker, who understands what hikers need. The caretaker while we were there was actually ski patrol, so understood the mountains. The shuttle driver was none other than Miss Janet, who would also help you put together an itinerary for getting through the Whites. This place is much more than just a hostel - it’s a waypoint to recharge and refit. Put it on your itinerary - you will be thanking me later.
I stopped by on a bike tour after lightning storms in the mountains shortened my day unexpectedly. I was welcomed into a community of great people on their own outdoor adventures, each in their own stage of life. It's maybe a mile off the AT, so you'll get mostly hikers, but the atmosphere was just superb. Shuttles to a local general store every day made resupplying easy, and you'll have no shortage of new stories to tell after meeting the people that frequent the place. Lodging was as you'd expect for a hiker hostel in the middle of "nowhere", pretty stripped down, but definitely better than camping, and worth the price for the hot shower alone.
I was pedaling past, and these folks invited me in for a rest, water, and Wi-Fi. Super friendly.
So glad I started my hike at Hikers Welcome. I met incredible people that completely changed my experience for the better with their advice and companionship - including Legion, the host. The outdoor shower gets hot and has great water pressure, so in other words, it’s divine. Very useful and easy slack packing service and rides to town. Overall, everything was clean and comfortable, and as advertised, this place has everything a hiker could want or need!
This is a great Hostel on the Appalachian Trail right before the trail gets really tough.
The staff are friendly, courteous and helpful. The accommodations were great as was the resupply and shuttle options with slackpacking.
The sage hiking advice freely given by experienced hiking veterans with thousands of miles of hiking experience, are a great asset to hikers willing to listen.
I've stayed with them for 3 times on my AT hikes and would have stayed last year, but they were closed for the plague.
See y'all next time!
<•>==> Squarepeg
A quarter mile off the Appalachian Trail. Easy check in, clean sheets and towels. Bunk house could use a thorough cleaning. Good dinner shuttle for pick up but limited resupply opportunity. Hostel has resupply basics.
Only 0.3 mile from AT, Very much a vortex for thru hikers or weekenders...fabulous two story bunkhouse(s) fit 30, plus tent spaces for many more on dry nights...sobo Snooze 2023
Bare bones, no frills. Twin size beds only. Most adults need at least a full size bed for good support. Cold temperature. No one there, summer hostel. Lonely!! Was right in town, centrally located tho.
