Hostel Review – Mountain Harbour, Roan Mountain, TN

Day 0 of my Crazy Itinerary Flip Flop

The Mountain Harbor shuttle picked me up at Tri-Cities airport at the time we agreed upon.  The ride was totally uneventful (the way I like it).  We got to Mountain Harbour B&B about an hour later.

Hostel beds, to the uninformed, all seem the same.  Hold on there, I’ve slept in 2X4 bunk beds that were iffy at best.  I’ve slept in hostels that had more critters than an AT shelter.  I’ve even slept at The Doyle wondering if my bed would fall through the floor.   Well, this place has real beds with real pillows with real sheets.  So that’s a very good start. I’ve seen no critters.  The bathrooms are very clean, well-supplied, and have actual hot water.  The self-serve kitchen has multiple microwaves and toaster ovens.  There is coffee!

If all that sounds good, the best is yet to come.  Dinner is reasonably priced, and there is a good selection.  I had a bacon  cheddar burger add jalapeños.  It was excellent. By that I don’t mean excellent for a hostel.  I mean excellent .

Sadly, my neurotic drive to be up early and on the trail early means that I’ll miss breakfast.  Several other hikers told me I’m crazy not to stay for it.  Breakfast at Mountain Harbour is consistently voted best on the AT for over a decade.  I’m guessing I’ll be second guessing myself when I’m downing Breakfast Essentials with powdered milk.

There is a good selection of resupply including fuel at reasonable prices.

For $30 for a bunk room bed, Mountain Harbour offers a lot.  Don’t like shared spaces?  They have private rooms plus a couple of treehouses.

I have only positive opinions of this hostel.  Don’t skip over it.  For NOBOers, it is down the mountain from Roan Mountain High Knob Shelter about 1/10 of mile west  on 19E.

The hostel cat is an added bonus.  It camps out on a ledge by the stairs and meows at all who pass by.