Treats' Favorite Treats of the Appalachian Trail
After 2,200 miles of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail and seeking out all the treats I could find, I’m treating you and sharing my favorite finds.
Buckle up friends. This might be the most important blog post I’ve written. It’s time to share Treats’ FAVORITE Treat’s of the Appalachian Trail.
In 2023, I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail and was given the trail name “Treats”. This name was perfect for me for a plethora of reasons, but mainly because it’s also a very fitting name for me off trail as well.
I was given my trail name by my first friend on trail, Schmidty. And there were a few reasons why he decided that it would be the perfect trail name for me.
I had packed out Oreo Cakesters as a celebration treat for summiting Springer Mountain and officially starting the Appalachian Trail.
I shared with him the treats mantra I had originally heard on TikTok that I now dubbed as my own, one of the first days on trail. The mantra is such “If you’re having a good day you deserve a treat because it’s a good day. If you’re having a mediocre day you deserve a treat to make it a good day. And if you’re having a bad day you deserve a treat to make it a bit better. So essentially everyday deserves a treat”. - I heard this and my jaw dropped. I basically already lived by this statement of treating myself to little desserts but to hear it in this way, perfection - my new mantra.
I would research potential treats that we could enjoy in the next town along the trail
I had a list of treats to enjoy along the trail that I had read about before I ever set foot on trail. I would talk about these treat spots 100s of miles before we would get there.
All of these moments led Schmidty to name me Treats. These were things that I already did at home, off trail and so when he suggested it as my trail name, it felt like the right fit. And after 2,200 miles of living up to my trail name and seeking out all the treats I could find along the trail, I’m treating you and sharing my finds. Because one of the best things about finding all these amazing local treat spots is sharing them with others so you can enjoy and support that business too.
I hope you enjoy this list of Treats’ FAVE Treats of the AT. I hope it makes your mouth water a little bit. And I hope it makes you seek out a local treat spot to enjoy on your next adventure. Now, ONTO THE TREATS!
While many of the treats listed here are not directly on the trail, if you can get a hitch, a ride, or add some extra mileage to your hike, they are all worth the extra steps. I promise.
*Treats with a star indicate that they were available very close to trail without too far of a walk
**If you would rather watch than read about my favorite treats of the trail, visit my YouTube channel, here.
Not Your Average Lemon, Frozen Sandwiches - High Test Deli - Bryson City, NC
After 2,200 miles, the frozen sandwiches from High Test Deli are still one of my favorite treats I enjoyed the entire trail (and I still dream of them).
When my mom drove me to Amicalola to start my hike, we drove right through the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) and as we did that, we made a plan that in a few weeks, she’d come back and meet me at this spot. And when I made it back to this spot, my mom picked me up and we spent the next day and half enjoying all that Bryson City had to offer but specifically these ice cream sandwiches. They were huge and packed with delicious creamy flavor. My eyes went wide as saucers when it was handed to me. I was in treat heaven when I saw it and also a few minutes later when I tasted it.
The next day when we picked up my tramily (trail family) from NOC and they saw the delicious treat I had discovered, we had to go back and let them all savor the sweetness.
While High Test Deli offered many delicious flavors, my personal favorite was the Not Your Average Lemon. With a yummy blueberry ice cream packed in a soft lemon cookie - it melted in my mouth, literally and just typing about it now is making my mouth water and tempting me to drive back to Bryson City
.
Aretha Frankenstein’s Pancakes - Crockett’s Breakfast Camp - Gatlinburg, TN
I am not a breakfast food person or really a pancake person, but Aretha Frankenstein’s Pancakes are to die for. The best pancake I have ever put in my mouth. Truly.
I first enjoyed one of these amazing pancakes back in 2015 from Crockett’s on a spring break adventure with my mom. We had one, loved it and then already had plans to go to Chattanooga, TN during our trip. In Chattanooga we visited the original Aretha Frankenstein’s (it’s amazing) and enjoyed their mouth-watering pancakes there as well.
Fast forward to the trail, I knew we’d probably have to go into Gatlinburg to resupply and I wanted to once again enjoy the pancakes that I’d savored years ago. They were just as mouthwatering as I remember and although Gatlinburg is not my favorite travel destination, if you’re nearby, I highly recommend a stop at Crockett’s. Those fluffy, thick pancakes are worth the trip and they will change your mind about every other pancake you’ve ever eaten. Just look at that fluffy, thick, goodness. Yum.
Chocolate Vanilla Twist Dipped Cone - Willy’s Ice Cream - Waynesboro, VA
During Trail Days in Damascus, VA, there was a food truck offering dipped ice cream - I can’t remember a time in my life where I’ve eaten dipped ice cream but after that bite in Damascus, I was sold (and slightly obsessed with it).
So because my name is Treats, when we were in Waynesboro, VA staying with our extended tramily (trail family), I of course looked up the local treat spots and came across a place with my new obsession. Willy’s Ice Cream had dipped cones.
Now it could have been the hiker hunger, but this soft serve was smooth, creamy and the dipped chocolate had a wonderful crunch. It was the perfect ice cream treat for summer weather and hungry hikers. I highly recommend it for any hiker or adventurer wandering through before starting their trek into Shenandoah. And go with the classic chocolate vanilla twist - it won’t disappoint your taste buds.
*Blackberry Milkshake - Shenandoah Waysides - Shenandoah National Park
For 6 years I obsessed over hiking the Appalachian Trail and followed every thru-hiker I could on social media to live vicariously through their adventures. And for 6 years, I heard thru-hikers talk about the Blackberry Milkshakes at Shenandoah National Park. Now that I am officially a thru-hiker, I can without a doubt say that those milkshakes were worth hiking the 800 miles for. (you don’t reach Shenandoah National Park until about 800 miles down the trail going Northbound)
Because I had been hearing about these delicious milkshakes for 6 years, I told my tramily about them early on in our hike. Even though it would take us 800 miles to get to them, I was already excited about it from the beginning of the trail. However, when my tramily learned that these milkshakes were not for another 800 miles… they were disappointed that I started hyping them up so early on in the trail. But once we all reached Shenandoah and finally got to enjoy one of these delicious, refreshing milkshakes, all was forgiven and they were worth the 800 miles of trail to reach them.
There are 3 waysides throughout Shenandoah National Park that offer milkshakes. I enjoyed 2 and would have enjoyed a milkshake at all 3 but the last wayside was closed when we got there. I am not sure the exact timeframe, but Blackberry Milkshakes are not available all year long - they are only available when the waysides are open so if you’re hoping to enjoy one on your next venture through SNP, be sure to plan accordingly. But I will forever be enjoying one of these treats on every future trip to Shenandoah because of my enjoyment of them along the Appalachian Trail.
Cookie Butter Ice Cream - South Mountain Creamery - Middletown, MD
I am not usually an ice cream person (even though I love treats), but for some reason, the trail had turned me into an ice cream lover and I now sought out all the ice cream places. On trail (and honestly off trail), I also had a thing for good chocolate milk. So when a trail friend of mine mentioned South Mountain Creamery (who made milk and ice cream) and that it was only a mile off trail (only a mile. lol.) you can bet your biscuit that I food-blazed 2 miles total off trail for ice cream and delicious chocolate milk from the local creamery.
Was it worth it? I say yes, I am not sure Barbie whole-heartedly agrees, but he enjoyed his milkshake a lot.
After our long walk to South Mountain Creamery, I enjoyed chocolate milk, a tiny cup of Cookie Butter Ice Cream, and Barbie enjoyed a Cookies & Cream Milkshake made with Strawberry Milk. Yes, you read that correctly. Because this place is a creamery, they don’t just offer milkshakes with normal white milk, but you can get a milkshake with chocolate milk or strawberry milk. An ice cream lover's paradise. And the Cookie Butter Ice Cream is one of my favorite flavors I’ve enjoyed, to date.
I enjoyed this spot so much that on my mom and I’s van adventure from Maine back to North Carolina, I saw our route took us through Maryland and I requested we stop so I could enjoy that delicious Cookie Butter Ice Cream all over again. It was worth it, both times.
*Apple Pie w/ Vanilla Ice Cream - Village Farmer & Bakery - Delaware Water Gap
We were in Delaware Water Gap, the last part of Pennsylvania before we crossed into New Jersey. Delaware Water Gap isn’t a big place but as soon as I researched bakeries or treats this place popped up with rave reviews about the apple pie. After a shower, it was our first stop.
Village Farmer & Bakery is exactly what’s in the name - it’s a farm market and a bakery. Outside you’re greeted with things you’d find in a farm market like lots of plants and lawn art. But once you walk inside you are instantly overwhelmed by treats. Every table is covered in homemade pies of any flavors you could imagine. And in the display cases there are even more desserts to choose from. It was a hungry thru-hikers dream and even more so if you were a thru-hiker named Treats.
While at the bakery, I enjoyed a chocolate eclair and the iconic apple pie with vanilla ice cream. The eclair was good (I won’t dream about it), but the apple pie was too die for. From the crust to the delicious apple pie filling and slightly cooled down with a substantial amount of vanilla ice cream, I’m drooling just writing about this slice of pie. It was definitely a worthy stop.
Plus, while this spot is not right on trail, it is a very short walk to get to. Delaware Water Gap is not a big town and you can easily walk from trail to pie in a very short amount of time. I promise you, the pie is worth the walk.
Taro Bubble Tea & Matcha/Taro Swirled Ice Cream - Surreal Creamery - NYC
Boba/Bubble Tea is a relatively new obsession for me over the last few years. Where I live in Western North Carolina, there aren’t very many options for Boba (though if you are in Boone looking for Boba, go to Bobabing). Along the trail the towns we cross through remind me of my small town and as you can imagine most also don’t have boba (or boba that’s any good). When we decided we were going into NYC for a zero day, I immediately started searching for Boba spots - I knew in the mecca that is NYC, I would enjoy good boba that day. What I found was more amazing than I could have dreamed of.
Surreal Creamery not only has boba tea but they have ice cream as well. Since ice cream had become one of my favorite trail treats, this was the perfect combo for me. AND when I saw that they had boba + ice cream combined into one treat and taro + matcha flavors, I couldn’t hike through the city fast enough.
Surreal Creamery’s Taro Bubble Tea & Matcha/Taro Swirled Ice Cream was so delicious. The BEST boba I had on trail and some of the best boba tea I’ve ever enjoyed. And the matcha + taro ice cream flavors - amazing. I still dream about this delicious combo and wish more places had unique ice cream flavors like this. Thank you NYC and Surreal Creamery for good boba. The next time I’m in NYC, I will be back
Classic NY Cheesecake - Junior’s Cheesecake - NYC
When in NYC, NY Cheesecake is a must. In my mind, it would be criminal to visit without enjoying a slice of classic New York Cheesecake. But with so many cheesecake options in the city it can be hard to know where to go or where to even start looking for where to go. So even though I love to research, for this one, I asked the locals. Well, technically my mom did (thanks mom and her NYC friends!)
Out of all the spots recommended, there was lots of high praise for Junior’s Cheesecake and it was in a good location for us to easily get to. After a busy day walking more miles in the city than we did on trail and a quick nap, we headed out into the nightlife of Times Square and Junior’s Cheesecake.
Junior’s had so many cheesecake options, too many for my indecisive brain. But I decided to go with the Classic because you can’t go wrong with classic cheesecake. It was the perfect choice. It was creamy, cold, and delicious just like classic NY cheesecake should be. And enjoying every bite under the lights of Time’s Square - perfection. If I could snap my fingers and enjoy another slice this instant, I would.
GF Coconut Almond Cake - Wilson’s by High Watch - Kent, CT
Whenever we were in a new town along the trail I always looked for the local bakery, the bookstore, and the coffee shop. And in Kent, CT the coffee shop was also the bakery and dang was it good.
I feel like with coffee shop pastries they’re either really good or they’re just mediocre. Wilson’s Coconut Almond Cake was definitely not mediocre. It was soft, almondy and just the perfect pastry treat to go with my iced chai. And the fact that it was gluten free and that yummy, even more points in my book. I am not GF but I appreciate when a GF dessert is made as tasty as a non-GF dessert.
The Coconut Almond Cake wasn’t fancy but the flavor was amazing and it hit the spot. And it was the perfect treat to pack out. So after enjoying one slice in town, with a chai, I ordered another one to go that I enjoyed later on down the trail. Delicious treats and packable treats are the best trail treats. … And the chai was pretty delicious too.
Blueberry Honey Lavender - Soco Creamery - Great Barrington, MA
I can’t remember if someone told me about this spot or if I came across it in my searches… it might have been a bit of both. Regardless of how I found out about this spot, I had heard the town of Great Barrington was adorable and that I couldn’t miss out on a Soco Creamery ice cream.
Both of these statements were correct. You can’t miss Great Barrington or Soco Creamery if you’re nearby. So after getting our laundry started at the local laundromat, Barbie and I headed for a mini ice cream date at Soco.
Lately my taste buds had been swapping between craving fruit ice creams and classics. So when I saw the mixture of blueberry, honey, and lavender it sounded like the perfect fruity combination. And to add a little bit of classic in, I had them add some chocolate chips.
The ice cream was absolutely delicious and tasted so fresh. Something about the fruity flavors … sometimes they just taste fresher. There’s a reason why Soco has won awards for their ice cream and I can’t wait to go back one day and sample even more delicious flavors.
Maple Creemee in a Chimney Cake - The Maple Reserve - Manchester Center, VT
Before I got on the Appalachian Trail I had never ever heard of a Maple Creemee. And now that I know what it is I’m so sad it took 27 years to hear about this divine treat. For those who are missing out like I was, a maple creemee is maple soft serve. So essentially delicious soft serve made with Vermont maple syrup - a match made in treat heaven.
A trail friend mentioned these sweet treats to me in Harpers Ferry, WV and I then proceeded to think about it until we reached Vermont.
Once we reached Vermont and were headed into our first town, I immediately started looking for the best spot to enjoy my first maple creemee in Manchester Center, Vermont. The Maple Reserve was highly raved about and the pictures of their maple creemees looked divine. I had found my spot.
The Maple Reserve had many yummy looking treat options, but I was there for one thing only. Instead of a normal cone, I went big for my first creemee and ordered it in a chimney cake (see photo for reference). The maple creemee was everything I had dreamed it would be and more.. However, the chimney cake was hard, crunchy, and not great. But that didn’t damper my spirits, I was officially obsessed with maple creemees.
Bottom line, if you get the chance to try a maple creemee up north, run, don't walk and treat your taste buds to this delectable treat. … but maybe skip out on the chimney cakes unless they’re fresh.
*Mile High Apple Pie - Lou’s Restaurant - Hanover, NH
As you’ve probably noticed and read, Ice Cream and Apple Pie were two of my main treat vices while on the trail and when I heard Lou’s was known for their Apple Pie, I had to try a slice.
Lou’s had ol’ timey diner vibes. The kind of vibe you get when a place has dang good pie. And when I saw it was a mile high, my eyes went wide. I was sold.
Not only was this slice of pie huge but it was delicious. After spending a few days hiking with friends it was the perfect treat to celebrate their last day with us before heading home. The mile high pie was full of yummy apples, cinnamon, and homemade goodness. You can *almost* never go wrong with classic apple pie and you definitely can’t go wrong while enjoying it at Lou’s.
*Fluffernutter Candy Bar - Red Kite Candy - Hanover, NH
This spot was not on my radar, but a friend who was visiting me on trail had stopped in the day before and told me I had to try it. She specifically noted that the Fluffernutter was a must try for me. I am not typically a candy bar gal - I’ll happily eat one but if it’s between a pastry or a candy bar, it’s always the pastry for me.
Well, I may have to change my mind about that choice. Holy fluffernutter these made from scratch Fluffernutter Candy Bars were to die for. Chewy, marshmallowy, and delicious, if I could teleport to New Hampshire right now for one, I would. I only got one because I wasn’t sure I would like it and after I bit into it a while later, I was wishing that I had bought and packed out more. I will now forever look at fluffernutters in a different light.
The next time you’re in Hanover or you spot a homemade candy spot, this is your warning that it might just have a treat that’s one of the best things you’ve ever tasted.
And this is my official tip that if the treat is smaller, taste it before you leave town in case you want to pack out more for later.
Apple Pie - Woodstock Pie & Coffee Company - Woodstock, NH
As I said above, pie was a thing for me on the trail… and adorable coffee shops. When I saw this adorable spot a short walk from the hostel we were staying at, I knew Treats would be making a stop for some pie.
The first day we were in town, I didn’t realize they would only have a certain number of pies and they ran out before I could enjoy one. But the next morning I ran down right as they opened and only a few minutes before our shuttle back to trail left and was able to snag a personal apple pie.
That day Barbie and I were supposed to hike Franconia Ridge, a spot I had dreamed about hiking since I started obsessing about the AT. And the weather didn’t turn out as we had hoped - it honestly turned out downright dreadful. The highlight of the morning was that as I sat at the trailhead hoping for the fog and rain to clear, I ate that delicious personal pie for breakfast. And yes, I ate the whole pie. The day ended up being a rough one, but that fresh, homemade pie did make my morning better.
Maple Creemee & Raspberry Soft Serve Swirl - Ice Cream Delights - Lincoln, NH
This ice cream made a day that was not good, a much happier day. On the trail, I was in my ice cream era. And so when I was having a bad day at a hostel (not because of the hostel) they kindly drove us to get ice cream.
I became a bit obsessed with Maple Creemees after Vermont and when I saw that not only did this particular spot offer maple creemees but also Maple Creemee swirled with raspberry soft serve, my dessert loving heart was sold. I had never had raspberry soft serve and had no idea how it would mesh with the maple but it looked delicious and I was willing to try it. Out of all the ice cream I enjoyed on trail, this one is one of my all time, top 2 favorites. It was amazing.
This ice cream spot isn’t the fanciest and is quite frankly somewhat inconspicuous but I will forever dream about this ice cream. I enjoyed this one so much, on my mom and I’s adventure back to NC from Maine, I requested we stop here. Instead of maple and raspberry they now had maple and pumpkin. Although different, this flavor combo was equally amazing and I dream about this ice cream all the time.
Various Flavored Whoopie Pies - Steve’s Snacks - found all throughout VT/NH/ME
Steve’s Whoopie Pies weren’t the most glamorous treat I had on trail but I did love them and I did eat quite a few from Vermont and all the way up through Maine. One of their whoopie pies also had the honor of climbing Mt. Katahdin with me and being my celebration treat for finishing the trail (and it was actually a celebration whoopie pie with sprinkles).
I loved these treats because they were like a cakey muffin with delicious icing in the middle. I love muffins and the sweet, smoothness of the icing was the perfect treat for a day on the trail. I also loved the variety of flavor options so no matter what mood I was in, whenever I found these in the store I could pick flavors based on my mood. Plus, I loved that instead of buying Little Debbie Cakes I got to support a local business for a few states.
During my adventure I enjoyed flavors such as: Pumpkin Whoopie Pie, Peanut Butter Whoopie Pie, Chocolate Chip Whoopie Pie, Maple Whoopie Pie, and the Celebration Whoopie Pie. The Pumpkin and Chocolate Chip (chocolate chip especially) were my go-to’s on trail and since it was the treat that finished the trail with me, I’ll always remember them fondly.
Honorable Mentions:
*Bolivar Bread Bakery - Harpers Ferry, WV
When I first came through and lived in Harpers Ferry in 2019, Bolivar Bread was not there. So I was pleasantly surprised when I got to HAFE to learn that there was a new (to me) bakery in town.
Because I had lived, worked, and volunteered in Harpers Ferry in 2019, having walked back to this very important to me spot and iconic spot along the AT, the moment definitely deserved a treat. It was serendipitous that Bolivar Bread was a short walk from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and I could celebrate my accomplishment with a delicious local treat.
Bolivar Bread offered such an array of breads and pastries to choose from. And in addition to the treats they offered also had goods from local businesses including some delicious milk from a local creamery. It was a delicious stop and I really enjoyed sitting on their patio, enjoying a cookie and some delicious strawberry milk. The perfect psychological halfway point celebration treat.
*Bellvale Bog - Bellvale Farms Creamery - Warwick, NY
Bellvale Farms was more fuel to my ice cream obsessive fire. Being literally a short blue blaze from the trail, I planned my hiking day around making sure we were able to go to this delicious creamery.
Their Bellvale Bog flavor was a delicious combination of dark chocolate ice cream with brownie dough and chocolate fudge swirl - can you say yum? I saw this flavor combo and knew that was the one for me to enjoy. And once I topped it with M&M’s (I like a little crunch in my ice cream) it was perfection. And besides the delicious ice cream, I loved the decor and felt like we were on the farm. Something about it made it feel even more authentically delicious.
If you’re ever around Warwick, NY, I highly recommend a stop by Bellvale Farms Creamery as your post Drive-In Movie treat (Warwick has a great Drive-In theater).
Pumpkin Pecan Praline Whirl - Monson General Scoops - Monson, ME
Monson was the last town stop before we entered the 100 Mile Wilderness, of course I had to find some treats in the adorable tiny town. Barbie and I ended up in Monson twice (it’s a long story) and during our second stop there, I was definitely using ice cream to improve my mood.
Fortunately for me, just a short walk from Shaw’s Hiker Hostel was Monson General Scoops that hosted a long list of ice cream flavors. So many in fact that Barbie ordered two different things just so he could enjoy multiple flavors. My favorite was the seasonal Pumpkin Pecan Praline Whirl. I’m a sucker for fall flavors, especially pumpkin, and this cone of yumminess did not disappoint.
On trail and off trail, I’ve always been Treats (even if it took hiking the AT to realize it). Everywhere I go, every new spot I visit, I’m always on the lookout for the best local spots with the best local treats to savor. What I’ve realized from all this treat enjoyment (and from traveling in general) is that there are hidden gems everywhere. And they’re really not all that hidden if you take the time to seek them out… you just might find the best treat ever.
But for the Appalachian Trail, I’ve got you covered on all the hidden treat gems. And I hope the next time you’re adventuring around one of these spots whether you’re hiking the trail or just out for a treat, I hope you’ll stop and enjoy one for me (and for yourself).
Happy Trails & Remember to Treat Yourself!
P.S. If you want to learn about more treat spots, be sure to follow along here on Substack and on Instagram!