In 1970, the construction of the Pinhoti Trail commenced and although there are still some road walk sections, the through route between the two terminus ends was completed in February 2008. The status of the trail construction is still underway with attempts to acquire additional land to move the remaining road walks into the forests. The popularity of the trail has grown dramatically in recent years due to the Pinhoti trail being dubbed a training trail for the Appalachian Trail and other longer thru-hikes.

The Pinhoti Trail is a long-distance trail within the Southern Appalachian Mountains in the states of Alabama and Georgia and spans some 335 miles in length.

The southern terminus is on Flagg Mountain, near Weogufka, Alabama, the southernmost peak in the state that rises over 1,000 feet (300 m). Flagg Mountain is often called the southernmost Appalachian peak, even though by most geological determinations, the Appalachian range ends somewhat farther north in Alabama.

The northern terminus is where it joins the Benton MacKaye Trail, upon which it is another 70 miles eastwards before arriving at the Appalachian Trail near Springer Mountain. Thus, at about 400 miles in total length, the Pinhoti-Benton Mackay Trail is a southern extension of the Appalachian Mountains trail system and can be walked in connection with the AT which would increase a through hike to about 2500 miles.

The trails highest point is Buddy Cove Gap, with an elevation of 3164 feet near the Cohutta Wilderness. Its lowest point above sea level is close to Weogufka creek near Weogufka State Forest at 545 feet.

The north terminus is approximately 70 miles (110 km) west of Springer Mountain, which is the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Georgia has about 164 miles (260 km) of the trail, and Alabama contains the other 171 miles (280 km) of the 335-mile-long (540 km) trail.

The Pinhoti Trail is considered the realization of the original 1921 vision of forester Benton MacKaye in which he desired a trail extending the length of the Appalachian Mountain chain, connecting several existing trails, sprinkled with permanent camps and constructed to encourage and stimulate every line of outdoor non-industrial endeavor. MacKay desired the outdoor endeavor to include agriculture, recreation, recuperation and study. Further, he hoped to spark a back to the land movement in order to give relief from the ills of urban industrial life.