Howdy from Texas,

I am planning my 1st backpacking trip, 2nd week in October, on the AT and was looking at 2 different, but contiguous, sections that I could leisurely cover in a weeks hiking. I’m looking at Newfound Gap to Davenport Gap OR Davenport Gap to Hot Springs. Both are roughly the same distance. The first goes through the north section of the GSMNP. Does anyone have an opinion on which section would be a better introduction to the AT?