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You may never hike the entire 2175-mile Appalachian Trail, but you can hike a section of it. And if you hike the 7.9-mile section heading south from the Nantahala Outdoor Center at the right time of y
... Related information:... From the guidebook 100 Classic Hikes in North Carolina
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What is it about a Southern Appalachian bald that is so alluring? Is it the mystery of how they came to be? Is it the fact that something so barren exists in land so otherwise lush? Or maybe it’s that
... Related information:... From the guidebook 100 Classic Hikes in North Carolina
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Each spring nearly 1,500 people hoist unbelievably heavy packs onto their backs and strain down a misty trail, intent on accomplishing the most difficult task of their lives: going the length of the A
... Related information:... From the guidebook Hiking North Carolina
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This hike is mostly downhill on excellent trail and goes along pleasant, peaceful ridges as it directs the AT toward the Smokies in North Carolina. Benton MacKaye had originally envisioned a trail st
... Related information:... From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians
Franklin
,
NC
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Hiking
- 9.8 miles
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The northern half of this hike borders the Bald Mountain Ridge Scenic Area in the Cherokee National Forest, and the AT runs along a rugged, isolated crest. Outstanding views, masses of rhododendron a
... Related information:... From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians
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Roan Mountain is a place of mystery, legend, wild beauty, and superlatives. The largest of the southern Appalachian grassy balds, it also boasts one of the most beautiful displays of Catawba rhododen
... Related information:... From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians
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Wide-open spaces, miles of waving grass, alpine wildflowers … Is this the southern Appalachians? Botanist Asa Gray observed in the 1880s that he could ride his horse for 14 miles on Roan Mountain and
... Related information:... From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians
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This hike is a long, difficult, beautiful hike, and by the end, you will have your own definition of a southern Appalachian knob. The trail follows an easy descent for about 3 miles; then a short roc
... Related information:... From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians
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This hike has a certain symmetry: about 5 miles up with some steep rocky parts and about 5 miles down with some steep rocky parts. The AT section starts at Low Gap but first requires a strenuous 2.5-
... Related information:... From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians
Cosby
,
TN
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Hiking
- 9.8 miles
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The AT doesn't really lend itself to loop hikes, but this hike with the inclusion of Snake Den Ridge Trail (up) and Low Gap Trail (down), provides a strenuous one-car outing on a little-used part of t
... Related information:... From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians
Cosby
,
TN
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Hiking
- 12.4 miles
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Because of distance and several long ups and downs, the rating on this hike is "strenuous," but in general the grade is good with no difficult or rough spots. The trail passes through peaceful second
... Related information:... From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians
Waterville
,
NC
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Hiking
- 16 miles
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At 5498 feet, Standing Indian Mountain is the highest point south of the Smokies and the southernmost mile-high peak on the AT. However, the trail climbs gradually with switchbacks, giving this hike
... Related information:... From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians
Franklin
,
NC
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Hiking
- 10.4 miles
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Everything is backward on this AT section: You hike south to go north, Tennessee lies east of North Carolina, and one of the best views is from a gap. The state border that this hike follows also def
... Related information:... From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians
Hot Springs
,
NC
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Hiking
- 8.2 miles
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At 4520 feet, Doe Knob, the crest of the Great Smokies, the AT reaches the Tennessee / North Carolina border and sticks with it for more than 200 miles, zigzagging northeast along high ridge crests.
... Related information:... From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians
Cades Cove
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NC
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Hiking
- 19.6 miles
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Welcome to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, established in 1934 and visited annually by more people than any other national park. The AT to the north and Fontana Lake to the south frame the v
... Related information:... From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians
Fontana Village
,
NC
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Hiking
- 6.8 miles
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The AT, heading north from Hot Springs, climbs steeply from the French Broad River to the ridge that cuts through the mountains on its way from Asheville to Knoxville. The climb lasts 3 miles, with t
... Related information:... From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians
Hot Springs
,
NC
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Hiking
- 5.3 miles
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With an elevation change of nearly 1000 feet per mile, this hike is an aerobic challenge going up and difficult and challenging coming down. It is separate from the adjacent hikes because it's so dif
... Related information:... From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians
Burbank
,
TN
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Hiking
- 2.6 miles
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Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier, wasn't born in the mountains but certainly within sight of some - Unaka, Roan, and the smaller ones you'll climb on this pleasant hike. The AT heads northeas
... Related information:... From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians
Buladean
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NC
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Hiking
- 8.1 miles
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Running east along the Tennessee / North Carolina border through the Bald Mountains - an irregular range between the Nolichucky and Pigeon rivers - this trail does most of its climbing in the first 4
... Related information:... From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians
Del Rio
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TN
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Hiking
- 14 miles
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This hike ascends from lemon Gap (3550 feet) to Max Patch (4629 feet) through a sheltered winding valley. The trail runs roughly parallel to the road - but separated from it, so there is little car n
... Related information:... From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians
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The first 4 miles of this AT section from Newfound Gap to Charlies Bunion, is a good choice for an 8-mile one-car round-trip day hike. Beyond Charlies Bunion, the AT passes along a remote ridge crest
... Related information:... From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians
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You'll see hundreds of people at the beginning (and perhaps even more at the end) but very few on the trail itself. Steep spots near the Newfound Gap and a long rocky climb at the end make this hike
... Related information:... From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians
Gatlinburg
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TN
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Hiking
- 7.9 miles
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Between the Nolichucky River and Iron Mountain Gap lies a remote protected region, mapped as parcels of land with different names and federal designations - recreation area, primitive area, wilderness
... Related information:... From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians
Erwin
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TN
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Hiking
- 17.8 miles
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Remote high-elevation forest, over a mile of grassy bald with panoramic views, and masses of spring wildflowers make this hike inviting. High-meadow Big Bald, half-way between Sams Gap and Spivey Gap
... Related information:... From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians
Erwin
,
TN
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Hiking
- 13.6 miles
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The view into the Nolichucky River valley will reward you for the steep climbs and rock scrambles of this hike, which undulates between Flattop Mountain and No Business Knob but never reaches the top
... Related information:... From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians
Faust
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NC
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Hiking
- 10.4 miles
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Cheoah Bald is the highest point of the Cheoah Mountains and the only 5000-foot peak between the Nantahala and Little Tennessee rivers. Mountain laurel covers the ridgetops on this hike, and flame az
... Related information:... From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians
Robbinsville
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NC
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Hiking
- 13.6 miles
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This short hike between two gaps provides a few ridgetop views and pleasant, quiet woods. Though this hike is rated "moderate," there are several short, steep ascents on knobs of the Cheoah Mts. Nat
... Related information:... From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians
Robbinsville
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NC
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Hiking
- 7.6 miles
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This hike is a low-elevation walk that winds through second-growth woods, white pine stands, and sheltered creek valleys. The high point, at the Rich Mountain Fire tower, offers views of the surround
... Related information:... From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians
Hot Springs
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NC
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Hiking
- 8.9 miles
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The great rivers of the southern Appalachians collect water from the eastern Blue Ridge and flow north or northwest, cutting deep valleys through the mountains. This hike descends into the valley of
... Related information:... From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians
Beechertown
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NC
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Hiking
- 7.9 miles
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This short AT section swings around the bottom of the Standing Indian Mountain Rim and sends the trail north again. The special feature is Albert Mountain, with spectacular views and a hands-on climb
... Related information:... From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians
Franklin
,
NC
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Hiking
- 9.5 miles
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From the 5342-foot high point of Wayah Bald, this moderate hike descends through rich woods, wonderful wildflower patches, and a large stand of American chestnut. The one climb, about 0.8 mile up to
... Related information:... From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians
Franklin
,
NC
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Hiking
- 9.3 miles
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This beautiful hike visits two high points of the Nantahala Mountains with panoramic vistas. Though a lot of climbing is required, the trail is well graded and goes by several campsites and springs.
... Related information:... From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians
Franklin
,
NC
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Hiking
- 10.1 miles
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The Little Tennessee River carved a deep valley between the Yellow Creek Mountains and the Smokies, now filled by Fontana Lake, which was created by the damming of the river as part of the TVA system.
... Related information:... From the guidebook Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians
Fontana Village
,
NC
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Hiking
- 7.8 miles
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