Asheville, NC: Yellow Face and Waterrock Knob
Conquer two 6,000-foot peaks in Pisgah National Forest on this 3-mile trek that straddles the Blue Ridge Parkway.
| NATIONAL PARKS QUICKLINKS |
North Carolina featured hikes / reader trips
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Appalachian Trail: Hot Springs, NC to Tanyard GapSwitchback 1,000 feet to poster-worthy views of Lovers Leap Rock, an aptly-named perch made famous by a suicidal Cherokee maiden. Asheville, NC: Cedar Rock LoopClimbing granite slickrock to a highpoint above DuPont State Forest, this 4.4-mile loop jogs back down into a dense forest toward a trailside swimming hole. 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.
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Charlies Bunion LoopGet away for a night or three on this 12.8-mile lasso loop that delivers you to the high reaches of the Great Smoky Mountains. Asheville: Little Lost Cove Cliffs LoopThis 4.6-mile loop gets two thumbs up for its rushing cascades, sweet campsites, and two fine viewpoints overlooking Pisgah National Forest.
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America's Scariest Trails: What are You Afraid of?Haunted mountains? Vanished campers? Bloodthirsty creatures? An evil wind that lures hikers over a waterfall? We dare you to hike America's scariest trails. 
America's Scariest Trails: Supernatural SightsAlpine views and starry skies are nice, but on these unsettling hikes you might see something really stunning. |
Rip & Go: Black Balsam Knob to Cold Mountain - Pisgah National Forest, NCTrek 18.2 miles from the South's best view to its most famous mountain. 
Top 3 Perfect Substitute National ForestsGet national park-caliber scenery without crowds (or entry fees!) in these dead ringers for Great Smoky Mountains, Zion, and Yosemite. 
The Best Cities to Raise an Outdoor KidWhich towns offer the ideal mix of accessible trails, inspiring teachers, and great recreational resources? We worked with The Outdoor Foundation to identify America's top 25 places to beat nature deficit disorder. |
AT 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 
AT Panoramic Photo GalleryA 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. |
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Photos + Videos
Gear Lab: Boots Torture TestCan any hiking boot survive 15 minutes in a cement mixer filled with rocks, sticks, dirt, and bricks? Gear Lab aims to find out. |
Gear Lab: Tents Torture TestWho wants a mountain tent that buckles under pressure? Not us--so we blasted four top tents with a carwash pressure washer to see which one comes out on top. |
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Adventure Weekends: Luxury Hiking and Camping
We've got a selection of cozy shelters and trail-side restaurants from Washington to Maine. Check out these hikes in the Rockies, the Northeast, and the Northwest.
Hiking The Annapurna Circuit: Q&A With Shannon Davis
Associate editor Shannon Davis tells us more about the highs and lows of his honeymoon trek (featured in March 2009's "The Perfect Circle") on the sky-scraping Annapurna Circuit in Nepal.
American Classic: Hiking the Appalachian Trail
In this ultimate guide to the country's favorite footpath, you'll find our picks for the best hiking and camping, and a complete plan for thru-hikers. Plus, meet a man who has made it his job to help AT hikers.
Mt. Adams: Solitude On Ice
Test your self-arrest skills on Mt. Adams's 12,276-foot fractured glacier.
Hiking Hip Deep in Florida's Swamps
Get your feet (and more) wet on the Florida Trail's best section.
North Carolina
Courtesy of NC Tourism/Bill Russ
| Most Popular |
Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Big Creek Loop Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Charlies Bunion Loop Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Hemphill Bald Loop |
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