Sample a classic stretch of the Appalachian Trail on this 11.5-mile route around a 1,000-foot gorge, with overlooks and eye-candy vistas of the Smokies.

Start at the Nantahala Outdoor Center and hit the trail for a beautiful, yet rugged 12.7-mile walk under hardwoods and through Nantahala Gorge. Not up for a long day hike? Stop at Sassafras Gap Shelter and swap stories with thru-hikers.

Big views. Quiet streams. A forest paradise. This 8-mile hike to a Hollywood-made-famous summit still offers plenty of solitude, plus fine campsites for a wilderness overnight.

This 4.6-mile loop gets two thumbs up for its rushing cascades, sweet campsites, and two fine viewpoints overlooking Pisgah National Forest.

On this 5.6-miler, see the rare granite domes and lively waterfalls that earned this Nantahala National Forest valley the nickname "Yosemite of the East."

Hike 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.

Climb Mt. Sterling and hike through history on this 16.4-mile loop through the eastern Smokies.

This paved, half-mile (one-way) trail leads to the highest point on the Appalachian Trail and 100-mile views of seven states.

Bag four scenic peaks in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

This 13.2-mile loop is classic Smokies: free-flowing creeks, wide valley views, and hardwood forests peppered with long-abandoned homesites.