Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Big Creek Loop
Climb Mt. Sterling and hike through history on this 16.9-mile loop through the eastern Smokies.
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North Carolina
Hiking and Backpacking 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. Appalachian Trail: Spivey Gap to US 19WLink dense maple forests to scenic ridgelines then finish with a steep descent to the Nolichucky River on this 9-mile leg. Bonus: Check out Uncle Johnny Hostel, a popular hangout for thru-hikers. Asheville: Tanawha TrailParallel the Blue Ridge Parkway on this 12.5-mile one-way hike with picturesque overlooks and streams cascading through towering hardwoods.
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South Mountains State Park - Murray Branch12 mile out and back hike in South Mountains State Park.
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Readers' Choice 2012: Reader Leader Contest WinnersMore than 150 of you entered our contest to become a BACKPACKER field scout. Meet the winners. 
Readers' Choice 2012: Top 3 - Southeast HikesOur prolific map contributor has thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail and notched more than 90 bag nights while scouting routes for BACKPACKER. Readers' Choice 2012: Creekside Loop, Pisgah NF, NCLooking for a mellow weekend with swimming options? We have you covered. |
Local Hikes: SoutheastHike these long trails in North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, and Florida, and paddle three days in the Everglades backcountry. |
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. |
Share your tales of travel & adventure with our step-by-step guide. Upload trail descriptions, photos, video, and more.
Photos + Videos
Packing for a Backcountry Ski DayKristin Hostetter shows you the essential gear, and how to pack it, for a day of backcountry skiing. |
Adjust Your Pack Straps on the TrailMaximize your pack's comfort with a few easy, on-trail strap adjustments. |
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Life's Short, Hike More!
What makes a backpacker a backpacker? It's not the garage full of gear or piles of guidebooks--it's the experiences, from thru-hiking a long trail to pushing your personal envelope to inspiring a child's love of wilderness. Here we present BACKPACKER's new Life List: 10 experiences to add to your tick-listnow--and the key skills you need to nail them.
Secret Hikes: Appalachian Trail
The last lonely stretch of the AT beckons from the mountains of western Maine.
Secret Hikes: Glacier National Park
Score wildlife sightings daily, choice views hourly--and at least one juicy burger--on this weeklong circuit.
Secret Hikes: Grand Canyon National Park
Surprise: This park's busy corridor trails offer a fast track to a private slice of heaven.
Secret Hikes: Grand Teton National Park
Rise above the crowds and earn solo views of elk, wildflowers, and summit sunsets.
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 |
International Travel
From Nepal to New Zealand, we have stories and tips to help you plan the perfect 'life list' trek abroad.
Navigation Center
Learn how to orient a map, navigate any terrain, and the ins-and-outs of GPS devices.
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Record and share you adventures with our new, free navigation app. Plus, discover thousands of GPS-enabled hikes in national parks and major cities.
Green Guide
A backpacker's guide to environmental issues and "green" gear.
