Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Noland Divide to Newton Bald
This 16-miler packs big vertical change and diverse landscapes (from grassy campsites to mountain summits) into a two-night trip.
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Charlotte: Upper Falls LoopHike a 6.9-mile loop past raging waterfalls to the lonely ridges of North Carolina's Upper Piedmont for sky-high views in South Mountains State Park.
Asheville, NC: Linville Gorge LoopA super-sampler of the southern half of Linville Gorge, this 3-day backpack showcases some of the best sweeping cliff-top views and raging waterfalls that the "Grand Canyon of the East" has to offer.
Asheville, NC: Plott BalsamEn route to four 6,000-foot summits, this 7.8-mile bushwhack travels the crest of wooded ridgeline above the Blue Ridge Parkway. |
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Bear Island Canoe Trail - Hammock Beach State Park, NCStarting at the Hammock Beach State Park visitor center, paddle approximately 2.6 miles out to Bear Island following a well marked canoe trail. Camping sites are available on the island. |
Top 3: Better in WinterWhat off season? Bundle up and reap the benefits of colder weather in these snowy playgrounds. Trail Mix: Great November Hikes in the EastYour region's go-now guide: Explore New York City, hike four states in 24 hours, and perfect days in NC, GA, and NH. Smokies Adventure Guide (2012 National Parks Series: Part 5 of 6)Leave it to our seasoned map contributors to find solitude in America's most-visited park. This exclusive trip planner serves up routes guaranteed to get you off the tourist trail and into deep wilderness. |
Trail Mix: EastYour region's go-now guide. Rip & Go: Bartram Trail - Nantahala National Forest, NCClimb past a glimmering highland lake to a lofty southern bald. |
Appalachian Trail Nature Photo GalleryWildflowers, bugs, and other nature photographs shot by our map correspondent on the AT © Jeff Chow AT Shelter Photo GalleryA few of the shelters and lean-tos found along the length of the Appalachian Trail © Jeff Chow Panoramas of the Appalachian TrailA collection of five-star overlooks along the Appalachian Trail © Jeff Chow |
AT Interview: Correspondent Jeff ChowJeff Chow spent 10 months mapping every mile of the AT for BACKPACKER. Learn about his favorite spots and hard-earned tips here. 3D Flyover: Smoky Mountains National ParkLink high peaks, blueberry-cloaked balds, primo trout fishing, and the South's sweetest backcountry swimming holes on this challenging, 56.7-mile hike. |
Editors' Choice Snow Award 2012: Sierra Designs Tov and L.L. Bean Ultralite 850Gear Editor Kristin Hostetter explains the new innovations in down insulation technology |
Editors' Choice Snow Award 2012: Vasque Snow Junkie UD BootsStaff Photographer Ben Fullerton reviews the lightweight Snow Junkie boots from Vasque |
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Courtesy of NC Tourism/Bill Russ
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Big Creek Loop Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Hemphill Bald Loop Asheville, NC: Cold Mountain |

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