Hiking North Carolina, 2nd: A Guide to Nearly 500 of North Carolina's Greatest Hiking Trails (State Hiking Series)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 99.5/100
  • A Hiking Guide for Hikers by a Hiker
  • A good starting point...
  • A Visitor's Guide
  • for more than just hikers, this book is for anyone who moves around at all!
Hiking North Carolina, 2nd: A Guide to Nearly 500 of North Carolina's Greatest Hiking Trails (State Hiking Series)
Randy Johnson
Manufacturer: Falcon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

GeneralGeneral | Excursion Guides | Hiking & Camping | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
North Carolina & South CarolinaNorth Carolina & South Carolina | United States | Excursion Guides | Hiking & Camping | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
South AtlanticSouth Atlantic | South | Regions | United States | Travel | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | North Carolina | States | United States | Travel | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Sports | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Outdoors & Nature BooksLook Inside Outdoors & Nature Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Look Inside Sports BooksLook Inside Sports Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Look Inside Travel BooksLook Inside Travel Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:
  1. North Carolina Waterfalls: A Hiking and Photography Guide North Carolina Waterfalls: A Hiking and Photography Guide
  2. The Best Hikes of Pisgah National Forest The Best Hikes of Pisgah National Forest
  3. Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway: The Ultimate Travel Guide to America's Most Popular Scenic Roadway Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway: The Ultimate Travel Guide to America's Most Popular Scenic Roadway
  4. Hiking South Carolina Hiking South Carolina
  5. Touring the Western North Carolina Backroads (Touring the Backroads) Touring the Western North Carolina Backroads (Touring the Backroads)

ASIN: 0762731389

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars 99.5/100.......2007-08-01

This is an excellent resource and planning guide. I have nothing to add to the earlier reviews, most of which are 5 stars.

The lack of GPS coordinates of the trailheads is the one glaring deficiency and the reliance on another map resource is no substitute. The copy edit staff should have done their homework and inserted this information, since it could be done from their desks. It appears instead that they put their efforts into misleading advertising -

"Detailed trail descriptions, and GPS-compatible trail maps"

Nevertheless, I have since purchased extra copies for gifts.

5 out of 5 stars A Hiking Guide for Hikers by a Hiker.......2007-07-12

Mr. Johnson's "Hiking North Carolina" is a guide for hikers by a lifelong hiker in the North Carolina High Country. North Carolina has hundreds of miles of hiking trail, and Randy has hiked most of them himself. The one risk of writing a guide about something you love so much, is to ruin the sense of adventure by including too much information. On the other hand, I have been hiking long enough to remember guides that would allow you to barely find the trailhead, much less give you good information about the trail and what you will encounter. There is a fine balance between a guide that tells too much, like the Appalachian Trail guides, and a guide that says too little, like some I see in popular magazines. I believe that Mr. Johnson's guide strikes a good balance between the two; telling you what you need to know while preserving the sense of adventure in the experience. It's the adventure that draws us into the woods after all. I recommend this guide for anyone who is interested in hiking in the state. His maps are quite detailed and well drawn, and his trail descriptions are enough to get you where you want to go without spoiling the fun of discovery. It is an excellent work and well worth including in your outdoor library.

Robert Branch
Burnsville, NC

3 out of 5 stars A good starting point..........2007-05-21

This was a good book for a general description of several trails in North Carolina, but didn't give many details. I think I was looking for something that would give me enough information to pick one trail out of them all to visit, but the brief descriptions didn't give me enough to go on. If you already know which trail you want to trek and it is one of the trails covered in the book, you're pretty well set. You will, however, need another map to know exactly how to get to that particular trail...the book has a map with a general location but no specific driving information.

5 out of 5 stars A Visitor's Guide.......2007-04-12

Any traveler to North Carolina will be able to use this helpful guide to the state. It's full of information on numerous trails, including educational ones perfect for the family.

5 out of 5 stars for more than just hikers, this book is for anyone who moves around at all!.......2007-03-31

I am the editor of a newspaper in North Carolina and I write a monthly travel column. I picked up a handful of North Carolina travel guides to review, and this one happened to be in my stack.

I have to say -- I had high expectations for this book. A quote from CNN.com is printed on the back. Falcon Guides are, "written by top experts and enthusiasts." It's an official American Hiking Society book.

I expected a lot -- and that's what I got.

This book, in short, is amazing. The introduction is lengthy and goes over things you may need, safety information and more. Each trail begins with a one-sentence overview so you can quickly tell if it's not for you, then continues to have easy-to-find points about its general location, detailed information about finding the trailhead, distance, difficulty, best maps, elevation gain or loss, water availability (!!!), and a phone number and Web site link (finally, a guidebook that has realized we entered the 21st century seven years ago and, 9 times out of 10, we want a way to get valuable information without actually speaking to someone).

Following this, each trail features GPS compatible maps and an extremely detailed 1-4 page description of the hike you can take, in addition to pointing out things you might miss along the way (Spanish moss, anyone?) For example: "If you linger over lunch [at the Linville gorge trail] and scan the rock-hewn amphitheater, the start of Linville Gorge, you can imagine the hemmed-in feeling William Linville and his son must have felt near here in 1766 when confronted by Native Americans -- who then scalped them." Wow.

The only con of this book is its title. While I tend to despise the recent trend in the book industry of making titles as long as the books themselves with all sorts of never-before-seen punctuation, it really might be necessary here. People with an interest in walking, trail running, picnicking with their families, educating their children or moving around in any fashion should also pick up this book. The fact that the guide book appears to only encompass hiking may cause many people to skip over it. But take for example the Flat Rock Self-Guiding Loop trail (page 129) near Linville, an educational trail with plant identification signs, inspiring messages and areas to picnic -- perfect for a day out with children.

At $19.95, it's a little steep -- but it's worth it if you want to spend any part of your vacation outdoors.
North Carolina Waterfalls: A Hiking and Photography Guide
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • wilmaNC
  • NC Waterfalls
  • WOW!
  • NORTH CAROLINA WATERFALLS: BY KEVIN ADAMS
  • Best WNC Hiking and Waterfall book out there
North Carolina Waterfalls: A Hiking and Photography Guide
Kevin Adams
Manufacturer: John F. Blair Publisher
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

ReferenceReference | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Travel | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | United States | Travel | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
SouthSouth | United States | Travel | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | How-to | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
HydrologyHydrology | Environmental | Civil | Engineering | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
Water SupplyWater Supply | Environment | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
Water Supply & Land UseWater Supply & Land Use | Nature & Ecology | Science | Subjects | Books
South AtlanticSouth Atlantic | South | Regions | United States | Travel | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | North Carolina | States | United States | Travel | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Travel | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Outdoors & Nature BooksLook Inside Outdoors & Nature Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Look Inside Science BooksLook Inside Science Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Look Inside Travel BooksLook Inside Travel Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:
  1. Touring the Western North Carolina Backroads (Touring the Backroads) Touring the Western North Carolina Backroads (Touring the Backroads)
  2. Hiking North Carolina, 2nd: A Guide to Nearly 500 of North Carolina's Greatest Hiking Trails (State Hiking Series) Hiking North Carolina, 2nd: A Guide to Nearly 500 of North Carolina's Greatest Hiking Trails (State Hiking Series)
  3. Waterfalls of the Blue Ridge: A Hiking Guide to the Cascades of the Blue Ridge Mountains Waterfalls of the Blue Ridge: A Hiking Guide to the Cascades of the Blue Ridge Mountains
  4. The Waterfalls of South Carolina The Waterfalls of South Carolina
  5. The Best Hikes of Pisgah National Forest The Best Hikes of Pisgah National Forest

ASIN: 0895873206

Book Description

Since its original publication in 1994, North Carolina Waterfalls has been the most comprehensive guide available to one of the prime natural features of the Tar Heel State. This new edition includes over 600 waterfalls, with detailed directions and trail and beauty ratings for the major waterfalls on public land. For the first time, waterfalls located on private land will be listed, although directions won't be provided.

Visitors to western North Carolina are often surprised at the spectacular variety of waterfalls tucked among the Appalachians all the way from Murphy in the southwest to Stone Mountain in the northeast, and surprisingly, even in eastern locations such as Fayetteville and Rocky Mount. This guide features over 100 color and black-and-white photographs showing those waterfalls at their absolute best. Its special section about photographing waterfalls in general, as well as specific hints for photographing each individual waterfall, will help readers create memorable images of their own.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars wilmaNC.......2007-07-27

Excellent book for locating waterfalls. Very good directions. Is a good book for those just wanting to look for waterfalls, but not much for a regular hiker as most of the trails are either very short, or there is a need to bushwack.

4 out of 5 stars NC Waterfalls.......2007-05-12

A good reference, but I found the directions confusing at times. You need to drive slowly and read carefully.

5 out of 5 stars WOW!.......2007-02-11

I am an amatuer nature photographer so I am always on the look-out for books to know where to go to shoot. This book may be the best photography guide I have ever had. He tells you where the waterfalls are, and how to photograph them. Best of all he has the guts to rate the quality of each waterfall on a scale of 1 to 10. There are so many waterfalls that I can't visit them all. With this book I can go only to the highly rated ones and know they will be knock-outs. When I get there he will help me to know how to shoot it. This is a great book!

5 out of 5 stars NORTH CAROLINA WATERFALLS: BY KEVIN ADAMS.......2007-01-13

EXCELLENT BOOK!!!! VERY EASY TO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS TO MAJOR WATERFALL HIKING AREAS IN NORTH CAROLINA.

5 out of 5 stars Best WNC Hiking and Waterfall book out there.......2006-07-20

Buy this and forget all other waterfall and hiking books for WNC.
This is the only book you'll need to find the best waterfalls in Western NC. Adams rates each of the waterfalls for beauty, ease to photograph and trail accessiblity. I carry it in my car. Adams has never lead me astray with directions or lead me to a waterfall I didn't think was worth seeing.
The Best Hikes of Pisgah National Forest
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Pushing the Frontier of Hiking Guides
  • 100 of the most scenic, strenuous hikes
  • Great hikes with accurate descriptions
  • Great Hikes
  • Great Hikes
The Best Hikes of Pisgah National Forest
C. Franklin, III Goldsmith , Shannon E. G. Hamrick , and H. James, Jr. Hamrick
Manufacturer: John F. Blair Publisher
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

GeneralGeneral | Excursion Guides | Hiking & Camping | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
North Carolina & South CarolinaNorth Carolina & South Carolina | United States | Excursion Guides | Hiking & Camping | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
Parks & CampgroundsParks & Campgrounds | Food & Lodging | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | North Carolina | States | United States | Travel | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Sports | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:
  1. North Carolina Waterfalls: A Hiking and Photography Guide North Carolina Waterfalls: A Hiking and Photography Guide
  2. Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway: The Ultimate Travel Guide to America's Most Popular Scenic Roadway Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway: The Ultimate Travel Guide to America's Most Popular Scenic Roadway
  3. Hiking North Carolina, 2nd: A Guide to Nearly 500 of North Carolina's Greatest Hiking Trails (State Hiking Series) Hiking North Carolina, 2nd: A Guide to Nearly 500 of North Carolina's Greatest Hiking Trails (State Hiking Series)
  4. 50 Hikes in the Mountains of North Carolina: Walks and Hikes from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Great Smokies, Second Edition 50 Hikes in the Mountains of North Carolina: Walks and Hikes from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Great Smokies, Second Edition
  5. Touring the Western North Carolina Backroads (Touring the Backroads) Touring the Western North Carolina Backroads (Touring the Backroads)

Accessories:
  1. Rayovac SPHLTLED 3-in-1 LED Head-Lite Rayovac SPHLTLED 3-in-1 LED Head-Lite

ASIN: 0895871904

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Pushing the Frontier of Hiking Guides.......2006-01-21

Cutting a long, diagonal swath through the mountains of western North Carolina, Pisgah National Forest offers some of the finest mountain hiking in the eastern United States. Covering the entire national forest, this guide will help you find a great trail to hike regardless of what your definition of great is.

This guide describes 112 national forest trails ranging from a flat, easy 0.5 mile loop to a rugged 12-mile hike one-way through Linville Gorge. The guide is organized around the major hiking areas in the national forest including Black Balsam Knob, Max Patch, Mt. Mitchell, Davidson River Valley, Linville Gorge, and Avery Creek. Each area features an excellent, detailed map copied from a USGS Topo map, driving directions (including landmarks) to the trailheads, and a detailed description of the trail. Additionally, the authors of this guide give GPS coordinates to designate trailheads, major intersections, and points of interest. With the increased popularity and availability of GPS navigation systems on the trail, the GPS coordinates add a nice touch that most guides still do not offer. This feature places this guide on the cutting edge of all hiking guides.

Perhaps the strongest point of this guide is its versatility. In addition to the GPS feature mentioned above, this guide describes both individual trails and possible routes for loop hikes. These day loop hikes are given in addition to descriptions of the longer backpack trails in the forest, namely the Mountains-to-Sea Trail and the Art Loeb Trail. Hikes located near the Blue Ridge Parkway are listed separately along with a list of hikes suitable for children and a list of easier trails suitable for the elderly. All of these features and the pocket-small size of the book add up to a guide that can be used by everyone no matter what kind of hike you desire in the Pisgah National Forest.

In summary, I have a bookshelf full of hiking guides, and this guide is perhaps the best guide I have ever encountered. If you are planning a hiking trip to western North Carolina, this is the guide you want in your pocket or in your backpack.

5 out of 5 stars 100 of the most scenic, strenuous hikes.......2001-02-16

The national forest's trails and wonders are revealed by authors who've hiked the trails most of their lives. 100 of the most scenic, strenuous hikes are described in a guide which requires strong walking skills and access to North Carolina wilderness region.

5 out of 5 stars Great hikes with accurate descriptions.......2000-09-07

This is an execellent book that provides helpful descriptions of each trail and how to find them. Especially helpful that it uses USGS maps instead of printing their own. I highly recommend this book.

5 out of 5 stars Great Hikes.......2000-08-30

This book details some wonderful hikes in the North Carolina mountains. Experienced hikers and casual strollers alike will find ample adventures mapped out in this excellent book. The authors, all natives of NC, have certainly put much time and energy into creating a book that would reflect their love of the outdoors and their special fondness for the western section of NC. I highly recommend this guide. Enjoy!

5 out of 5 stars Great Hikes.......2000-08-29

This book details some wonderful hikes in the North Carolina mountains. Experienced hikers and casual strollers alike will find ample adventures mapped out in this excellent book. The authors, all natives of NC, have certainly put much time and energy into creating a book that would reflect their love of the outdoors and their special fondness for the western section of NC. I highly recommend this guide. Enjoy!
North Carolina's Best Wildflower Hikes: The Mountains
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Great Book
North Carolina's Best Wildflower Hikes: The Mountains

Manufacturer: Westcliffe Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

FlowersFlowers | Plants | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Excursion Guides | Hiking & Camping | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
North Carolina & South CarolinaNorth Carolina & South Carolina | United States | Excursion Guides | Hiking & Camping | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
MountainMountain | West | Regions | United States | Travel | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | North Carolina | States | United States | Travel | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Travel | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:
  1. North Carolina Waterfalls: A Hiking and Photography Guide North Carolina Waterfalls: A Hiking and Photography Guide
  2. Wild Flowers of North Carolina, 2nd Ed. Wild Flowers of North Carolina, 2nd Ed.
  3. Touring the Western North Carolina Backroads (Touring the Backroads) Touring the Western North Carolina Backroads (Touring the Backroads)
  4. Hiking North Carolina, 2nd: A Guide to Nearly 500 of North Carolina's Greatest Hiking Trails (State Hiking Series) Hiking North Carolina, 2nd: A Guide to Nearly 500 of North Carolina's Greatest Hiking Trails (State Hiking Series)
  5. Waterfalls of the Blue Ridge: A Hiking Guide to the Cascades of the Blue Ridge Mountains Waterfalls of the Blue Ridge: A Hiking Guide to the Cascades of the Blue Ridge Mountains

ASIN: 1565795024

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Great Book.......2007-02-11

Having just moved to the Mountains of North Carolina and an amatuer nature photobrapher, I needed to know where to go for hikes that had great displays of wildflowers. This book appears to be excellant. It isn't spring yet so only time will tell, but I am very hopeful.
Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Georgia North Carolina Tennessee (Exploring the Appalachian Trail)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Well worth the money
  • Exploring The Appalachian Trail: Georgia, North Carolina, Te
  • not for the out of stater
  • A guide beyond the day hiker
  • Finally, planning a day hike is EASY...
Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Georgia North Carolina Tennessee (Exploring the Appalachian Trail)
Doris Gove
Manufacturer: Stackpole Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

GeneralGeneral | Excursion Guides | Hiking & Camping | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
Kentucky & TennesseeKentucky & Tennessee | United States | Excursion Guides | Hiking & Camping | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
North Carolina & South CarolinaNorth Carolina & South Carolina | United States | Excursion Guides | Hiking & Camping | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
WalkingWalking | Hiking & Camping | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
GuidebooksGuidebooks | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books
Mid AtlanticMid Atlantic | Northeast | Regions | United States | Travel | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | South | Regions | United States | Travel | Subjects | Books
South AtlanticSouth Atlantic | South | Regions | United States | Travel | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Georgia | States | United States | Travel | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | North Carolina | States | United States | Travel | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Tennessee | States | United States | Travel | Subjects | Books
North AmericaNorth America | Travel | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Sports | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Outdoors & Nature BooksLook Inside Outdoors & Nature Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Look Inside Sports BooksLook Inside Sports Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Look Inside Travel BooksLook Inside Travel Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:
  1. Hikes in the Virginias (Exploring the Appalachian Trail) Hikes in the Virginias (Exploring the Appalachian Trail)
  2. Hiking Trails of North Georgia Hiking Trails of North Georgia
  3. Walking the Appalachian Trail (Official Guides to the Appalachian Trail) Walking the Appalachian Trail (Official Guides to the Appalachian Trail)
  4. Appalachian Trail Guide to North Carolina-Georgia Appalachian Trail Guide to North Carolina-Georgia
  5. 50 Hikes in the North Georgia Mountains: Walks, Hikes and Backpacking Trips from Lookout Mountain to the Blue Ridge to the Chattooga River (50 Hikes) 50 Hikes in the North Georgia Mountains: Walks, Hikes and Backpacking Trips from Lookout Mountain to the Blue Ridge to the Chattooga River (50 Hikes)

ASIN: 0811726681

Book Description

10 b/w photos 65 maps Complete descriptions of 170 great day hikes on the AT Easy-to-read topographic maps and elevation profiles for each hike Plants, wildlife, and historical points to see along the way From the spruce forests of Tennessee and the leafy gorges of Virginia to the rolling Pennsylvania hills and the rocky heights of New England, the Appalachian Trail offers 2,200 miles of hiking opportunities. The five books in this series present accurate, detailed information for 170 day hikes (and a few overnighters), all recommended by AT experts. Where to start and finish, water sources and shelters, early exit options, and what to expect on the trail itself are described. Specially commissioned easy-to-read-and-use topographic maps and elevation profiles accompany each recommended hike; mileage data, the best direction to travel, route difficulty, and sources for additional maps and information are also included. Each book points out natural and historical featuresplants, trees, animals, landforms, bridges, vistasthat make the recommended hikes special. 32 hikes in Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Well worth the money.......2005-08-31

PLEASE NOTE: THERE are NOT 170 hikes in the book. The whole series must contain that many.

I own 3 books in this series. The Southern Appalachian, the Virginias, and the Mid-Atlantic States guide. I have found these books to be a great aid in planning hikes, especially 2-3 day backpacking trips. Since most of these hikes are either one-way or round trip (as opposed to circuit hikes) you either need to have two cars or plan on seeing the same sites twice. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, but other books have better circuit hikes.

This series IS very informative, not only with regards to the actually hike, but also the history both natural and otherwise of the area you are hiking in.

I have not used this edition as much as I have the other 2 guides that I own in this series, but it did come in handy during a spur of the moment trip to NC/TENN. The maps could be a little better, as they are topographical maps with a green line for the trail.. They are adequate, but I've seen better.

All 45 hikes come with a description, a map, an elevation profile, and an itinerary, as well as various other information.

When planning for a hike I do tend to use this book in conjunction with other books, but I usually take this book (or copies of the pages) on the actual hike itself. The fact that the pages are so small allows for easier handling and storage of the laminated pages during the trip.

So if you enjoy hiking and are near the AT while in the 'Southern Appalchians', you may want to take a look at this book. It is well worth the money.

5 out of 5 stars Exploring The Appalachian Trail: Georgia, North Carolina, Te.......2002-10-28

I checked this book out of my local library and found it to be the most informative book on the AT. The sections of the AT that I have personally hiked were very well covered in this book.It is very difficult to find accurate maps with tons of land marks and information the terrain. As well as a well thought out itinerary so you may better gauge your time and enjoy the trail, rather than worrying about where you are going to find water and shelter. So now I'm on amazon.com to buy this book to use on my next visit to the AT.

3 out of 5 stars not for the out of stater.......2002-05-03

I'm probably spoiled by the AMC guides for New England, but I found this book to be somewhat uninvting and lacking in some key areas. The maps weren't all that great they clearly aren't for a guy from the north east who's trying to find his way through the red dirt maze that is North Georgia. Directions to the trailheads could be markedly improved, as some (particularly the ones I used) use forest service roads that park rangers (let alone easily purchased maps) don't know well.

The copy and descriptions are good once I got to the trailhead, and organized linearly along the trail. I really enjoyed the plots of trail elevation over distance.

4 out of 5 stars A guide beyond the day hiker.......2000-09-25

I used this book to plan my first trip to the AT with a group of Boy Scouts. It was extremely useful in selecting my route. Especially useful was the trail summary in the beginning of each chapter. Also equally useful was the hike itinerary, giving distances between significant points. I found, however, the linear trail profile to be slightly misleading on a few sections of the trail. (More useful was the profile found in The Appalachian Trail Official Map from the Appalachian Trail conference.) This day hike book was perfect for my 5 day trip because each hike begins where the other left off. This was vital in my planning and I would highly recommend it for anyone needing a detailed description of the trail. Oh, and don't forget your hand lens. :)

4 out of 5 stars Finally, planning a day hike is EASY..........2000-06-25

If you're planning to hike a small day or two-day section of the Appalachian trail in or around NC, this is the book for you. I wanted to hike a small section of the trail, but I only had two days and had to finish at a very specific point. I used the book to help me plan the hike and it was amazingly easy; none of the obstacles I expected caused problems. The hike went off without a hitch, thanks to the brilliantly organized hiking guide. Aside from the planning aspect, the topographical maps were priceless along the trail. I considered doing the hike without a planning book, but I'm thankful that I used such a quality source.
Hiking the Carolina Mountains
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Now I can take a hike here!
  • Best guide to the best day hikes
  • A Guide to a Hiker's Paradise
Hiking the Carolina Mountains
Danny Bernstein
Manufacturer: Milestone Pr Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

GeneralGeneral | Excursion Guides | Hiking & Camping | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
North Carolina & South CarolinaNorth Carolina & South Carolina | United States | Excursion Guides | Hiking & Camping | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
South AtlanticSouth Atlantic | South | Regions | United States | Travel | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | North Carolina | States | United States | Travel | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Adventure | Specialty Travel | Travel | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Sports | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:
  1. Hiking North Carolina, 2nd: A Guide to Nearly 500 of North Carolina's Greatest Hiking Trails (State Hiking Series) Hiking North Carolina, 2nd: A Guide to Nearly 500 of North Carolina's Greatest Hiking Trails (State Hiking Series)
  2. The Ultimate Guide to Asheville & The Western North Carolina Mountains The Ultimate Guide to Asheville & The Western North Carolina Mountains
  3. The Best Hikes of Pisgah National Forest The Best Hikes of Pisgah National Forest
  4. Waterfall Hikes of Upstate South Carolina Waterfall Hikes of Upstate South Carolina
  5. North Carolina Waterfalls: A Hiking and Photography Guide North Carolina Waterfalls: A Hiking and Photography Guide

ASIN: 1889596191
Release Date: 2007-03-13

Product Description

The mountains of western North and upstate South Carolina are a hiker's paradise. Rich with human history, they are also home to some of the greatest biological diversity in the world. Hikers here are treated to thousands of miles of trails offering fantastic views, stunning wildflower and fall foliage displays, and gigantic trees in old growth forests. This guide lists 57 day hikes ranging in length from 2 to 13 miles, with destinations like the waterfalls of Dupont State Forest, the Blue Ridge Parkway's beautiful Craggy Gardens; the ruins of George Vanderbilt's palatial Buck Spring hunting lodge on Mt. Pisgah; and the summit of Cold Mountain. Each entry includes everything you need to know to get out and hike: maps and detailed directions, mileage, elevation gain, trail highlights, fees and hiking regulations, a list of films and novels set in each location, and more.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Now I can take a hike here!.......2007-05-04

This is an easy to use guide to some great hikes here in the Western Carolinas. I live here and hike with a club. Until now, I've usually been following the leader and haven't really known what the hike "looked like" or where exactly I was going. I don't have great map reading skills and I don't use a GPS. In fact, I'm a person who couldn't take my relatives and friends from out of town on a moderate hike here in the Carolina mountains. And I'm not the only one with that problem. But that will change. For each hike, the book provides detailed driving directions and a simple map. For the actual hikes, there are very clear trail maps with text that describes exactly what I'll see along the way, shows which path to take at each intersection and notes what landmarks I'll see along the trail. I did a 7 mile hike this weekend using the book and felt totally confident. It was a new experience to not only complete the hike but also to know exactly what it had encompassed. Happy Trails.

5 out of 5 stars Best guide to the best day hikes.......2007-04-02

This pocket guidebook to the best day hikes in the Carolina mountains deserves the highest praise. Each entry provides detailed, straightforward directions for each hike, accompanied by clearly presented maps and pictures of landmarks. While the book offers valuable resources for experienced hikers, it would also be an excellent choice to give to a friend who may be just beginning to explore the outdoors, as the introductory material explains the essentials of hiking safety and includes a checklist of necessary equipment. The lively essays placing local points of interest in their historical contexts are another major strength of this guidebook. I would never have guessed, for example, that the North Carolina and Georgia state militias fought a battle over the boundary between the two states--fifty years before the Civil War (see page 145). Milestone Press should also consider producing mp3 audio narrations of the hikes and the accompanying essays to enjoy while on the trail.

5 out of 5 stars A Guide to a Hiker's Paradise.......2007-03-30

The mountains of the Carolinas are an embarassment of riches for hikers, with literally thousands of miles of trails. The problem has been choosing the most interesting hikes. There are several trail guides, but unless you are willing to spend a lot of time studying maps to create your own circular route, you'll be stuck hiking in and out on the same trail. Hiking the Carolina Mountains solves that problem by providing details of 57 hikes, most of which include loops. The book is also the first that I've seen that covers areas such as upland South Carolina and DuPont State Forest in North Carolina. Hiking the Carolina Mountains also provides detailed information on how to drive to the trailhead, interesting sidelights on the history of the area, and readable maps, all of which are usually missing from trail guides.

This is the book need to hike the Carolina mountains.

WNC Hiker
Appalachian Trail Guide to North Carolina-Georgia
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Great packet
  • I like the AT guide books.
  • As good as the rest of 'em
Appalachian Trail Guide to North Carolina-Georgia

Manufacturer: Appalachian Trail Conference
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

GeneralGeneral | Excursion Guides | Hiking & Camping | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
South AtlanticSouth Atlantic | South | Regions | United States | Travel | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Travel | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Sports | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:
  1. Appalachian Trail Guide to Tennessee-North Carolina Appalachian Trail Guide to Tennessee-North Carolina
  2. Appalachian Trail Data Book-2007 Appalachian Trail Data Book-2007
  3. Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers' Companion-2007 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers' Companion-2007
  4. The Appalachian Trail : How to Prepare for & Hike It (Appalachian Trail) The Appalachian Trail : How to Prepare for & Hike It (Appalachian Trail)
  5. Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Georgia North Carolina Tennessee (Exploring the Appalachian Trail) Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Georgia North Carolina Tennessee (Exploring the Appalachian Trail)

ASIN: 1889386391

Book Description

One of 11 official guides to the Appalachian Trail, each of which includes a pack-sized book and up to seven separate water-resistant maps in a resealable plastic bag, this volume covers the southernmost 235 miles of the famous footpath--from Springer Mountain, Georgia, to the eastern end of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the North Carolina/Tennessee line. The three detached, full-color, tear-resistant, two-sided maps cover, respectively, Georgia, southwestern North Carolina, and the park. The maps are at a scale of an inch to a mile and include elevation profiles and topographical lines. Detailed trail descriptions are in the book, along with information on water sources, shelters, and road access points; background on area history, points of interest, geology, and natural resources; and locator maps and photographs.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Great packet.......2007-10-10

I'm a novice hiker, but hike on the GA part of the AT when I do. This product was recommended to me by a friend & the packet of maps is excellent. I especially LOVE the map that includes the elevation changes of the trail. Definitely worth it for the price.

5 out of 5 stars I like the AT guide books........2003-12-26

I'm not a weight freak. Part of long backpacking trips is dealing with what might be a heavy pack to some. I'm a strong hiker, so I don't whine about heavy packs the way others do. I like having the trail guide along. They've saved me from many a wrong turn, as I'm not big on bushwhacking and orienteering. And I just plain like reading them when I have some extra time to kick back and relax under the trees.

3 out of 5 stars As good as the rest of 'em.......2000-07-03

The usual Appalachian Trail guide. Full of information you need and information you don't need, missing things you wished you knew. Apparently the people who publish these books have yet to figure out that, when hiking the Appalachian Trail, the amount of weight on your back is a consideration. Photocopy the important bits, cut them out and paste them together on an 11 x 17 piece of paper, photocopy again, on both sides of an 8.5 x 11 piece of paper, leave the book at home and throw a half dozen chocolate bars in your pack instead. Enjoy the hike.
Uwharrie Lakes Region Trail Guide: Hiking and Biking in North Carolina's Uwharrie Region
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • A comprehensive guide to hiking and biking in the Uwharries.
Uwharrie Lakes Region Trail Guide: Hiking and Biking in North Carolina's Uwharrie Region
Don Childrey
Manufacturer: Falcon Distribution
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

GeneralGeneral | Excursion Guides | Hiking & Camping | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Cycling | Individual Sports | Sports | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Sports | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Outdoors & Nature BooksLook Inside Outdoors & Nature Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Look Inside Sports BooksLook Inside Sports Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Look Inside Travel BooksLook Inside Travel Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:
  1. Hiking North Carolina, 2nd: A Guide to Nearly 500 of North Carolina's Greatest Hiking Trails (State Hiking Series) Hiking North Carolina, 2nd: A Guide to Nearly 500 of North Carolina's Greatest Hiking Trails (State Hiking Series)
  2. The Best Hikes of Pisgah National Forest The Best Hikes of Pisgah National Forest
  3. Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway: The Ultimate Travel Guide to America's Most Popular Scenic Roadway Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway: The Ultimate Travel Guide to America's Most Popular Scenic Roadway
  4. Mountain Biking North Carolina, 2nd (State Mountain Biking Series) Mountain Biking North Carolina, 2nd (State Mountain Biking Series)
  5. North Carolina Hiking Trails, 4th (AMC Hiking Guide Series) North Carolina Hiking Trails, 4th (AMC Hiking Guide Series)

ASIN: 0964369834

Book Description

This is a biking and hiking guide to the Uwharrie National Forest. The Uwharrie is the closest National Forest (within 1-1.5 hours) to 80% of North Carolinas population.133 miles of trails described.55 miles of these trails are suitable for mountain bicycle users.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars A comprehensive guide to hiking and biking in the Uwharries........1999-10-13

Childrey masterfully analyzes the biking and hiking trails of the Uwharrie National Forest. Through trail diagrams, facts and figures, and meticulous reviews of each, individual trail I would say that this book is essential for any avid hiker interested in hiking the Uwharries.
Hiking North Carolina
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Not as good as its Hiking VA counterpart..
  • Casual hiker's bible
  • Definitive guide to north carolina hiking
  • Great book for finding day hikes for ages!
  • Very good all-round hiking guide
Hiking North Carolina
Randy Johnson
Manufacturer: Falcon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

GeneralGeneral | Excursion Guides | Hiking & Camping | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
North Carolina & South CarolinaNorth Carolina & South Carolina | United States | Excursion Guides | Hiking & Camping | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
WalkingWalking | Hiking & Camping | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
South AtlanticSouth Atlantic | South | Regions | United States | Travel | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | North Carolina | States | United States | Travel | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Sports | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:
  1. The Best Hikes of Pisgah National Forest The Best Hikes of Pisgah National Forest
  2. 50 Hikes in the Mountains of North Carolina: Walks and Hikes from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Great Smokies, Second Edition 50 Hikes in the Mountains of North Carolina: Walks and Hikes from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Great Smokies, Second Edition
  3. North Carolina Hiking Trails, 3rd North Carolina Hiking Trails, 3rd
  4. North Carolina Hiking Trails, 4th (AMC Hiking Guide Series) North Carolina Hiking Trails, 4th (AMC Hiking Guide Series)
  5. North Carolina Waterfalls: A Hiking and Photography Guide North Carolina Waterfalls: A Hiking and Photography Guide

Accessories:
  1. Rayovac SPHLTLED 3-in-1 LED Head-Lite Rayovac SPHLTLED 3-in-1 LED Head-Lite

ASIN: 1560442115

Book Description

From the Great Smokies and the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Piedmont and the Outer Banks, this guide features more than 200 hikes in all regions of the state.

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Not as good as its Hiking VA counterpart.........2005-08-24

having been very impressed with AFALCONGUIDE's 'Hiking Virginia' I picked this up as I left for North Carolina for an spur of the moment hiking trip.

The intro to the book is quite good, as it is almost an introduction to hiking. Sections include" clothing, footwear, leave no trace. hiking with kids and appalachian trail, as well as several others. This is something that the Hiking Virginia book lacked.

What I didn't like about this book was the way that the hikes were presented. The detailed maps contained in the Hiking VA book were gone, as was the elevation profile. The information wasn't as neatly presented as the VA counterpart, and I still can't figure out how the hikes were organized.

Did this book help me? Yes, but it was no where near as informative as its VA counterpart.

One hike that I would recommend is the Mount Mitchell hike. And if you decide to do it, make sure that you 1) Hike the Big Tom trail (it's a killer .5 miles..and the trail leading from Big Tom to Mount Craig to Mount Mitchell is great) and 2) stop by the restaurant on the road leading up to Mount Mitchell and get a helping of the cobler (with vanilla ice cream of course)..

Other worthwhile hikes are the Craggy Gardens and the Linville Falls hike, but beware, parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway have been washed away, and the detour is h#ll..

Happy Hiking!!!!!!!!!!



4 out of 5 stars Casual hiker's bible.......2002-08-24

If you want a detailed, rock-by-rock guide to the AP, this book is not for you. However, if you're a casual hiker like my wife and I, this book allows you to carefully evaluate (before it's too late!!) the various hiking opportunities throughout the state. We use it 3-4 times a year, and it has saved us grief, time, and frustration, by getting us to places that are suitable for us.

I've got a big railfan guide on the net, and I know how time-consuming a book like this must be to put together -- hundreds and hundreds of hours of on the ground research. This book is a terrific bargain -- worth every penny and then lots more.

4 out of 5 stars Definitive guide to north carolina hiking.......2000-11-20

In my experience the quality of Falcon Guides varies quite a bit. However, this one ranks near the top of that list in terms of quality & information. This book has hikes for all sorts of people...whether you want a casual stroll to a waterfall or an overnighter on the southern balds. You'll get detailed information on elevation gain, mileage, and trailhead access.

A few things could be better though. Having read many a mountain climbing guide with topo maps I'd think such an addition to this book would be a good one. In addition, the water availability section almost always say 'better to bring your own'. Well with all due respect to the author I refuse to carry 3 days worth of water. I've hiked the longer routes described in this book and have always found enough water along the way though that has been through other guide books.

One book I strongly recommend for the appalachian trail in the south, including north carolina, is Exploring the Appalachian Trail:The southern appalachians. Its far more detailed and includes topo maps + water availability, and detailed mile by mile description of the routes.

5 out of 5 stars Great book for finding day hikes for ages!.......1999-11-18

This book has wonderful text describing the hiking trail. Right on the mark! Good directions to trail heads and sketches of maps.

4 out of 5 stars Very good all-round hiking guide.......1999-08-10

The author brings the trails to life with vivid descriptions, plenty of useful facts, and many high quality (for a paperback) black & white photographs. Each trail description is accompanied by a sketch map that clearly shows the trail and is especially helpful for finding the trailhead. You'll need to buy your own topo maps, however, for all but the shortest hikes. Good references help you locate the best maps for each hike.

I really like this guide, but there's room for improvement in the next edition. The Appalachian Trail and Great Smoky Mountains aren't covered nearly as thoroughly as the other hiking opportunities. And the order in which the trails are listed is a bit haphazard. Overall, though, it's a winner.
Appalachian Trail Guide to Tennessee-North Carolina
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Very useful
Appalachian Trail Guide to Tennessee-North Carolina
V. Collins Chew
Manufacturer: Appalachian Trail Conservancy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

GeneralGeneral | Excursion Guides | Hiking & Camping | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
WalkingWalking | Hiking & Camping | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Regions | United States | Travel | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Sports | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:
  1. Appalachian Trail Guide to North Carolina-Georgia Appalachian Trail Guide to North Carolina-Georgia
  2. Appalachian Trail Guide to Southwest Virginia Appalachian Trail Guide to Southwest Virginia
  3. Appalachian Trail Guide to Central Virginia Appalachian Trail Guide to Central Virginia
  4. Appalachian Trail Data Book-2007 Appalachian Trail Data Book-2007
  5. Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers' Companion-2007 Appalachian Trail Thru-Hikers' Companion-2007

ASIN: 1889386413

Product Description

The official guide (12th edition) to 296 miles of the Appalachian Trail from the Virginia line near the small town of Damascus, through the Roan Highlands of northeastern Tennessee and along the North Carolina border all the way through Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the longest stretch of high-elevation terrain of the whole 2,174-mile footpath. The book includes descriptions of the route (unidirectional format), along with natural and cultural history. The detached topographical, shaded-relief maps include a four-map set (on two sheets) scaled at 1:63,600 with 100-foot contour intervals for the stretch north of the park and the five-color, two-sided map of the park at 1:62,500 published by National Geographic Trails Illustrated in cooperation with the Appalachian Trail Conference. All maps have GPS-checked elevation profiles. The maps north of the park are the first for hiking to be generated by ATC's geographical-information systems (GIS) office.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Very useful.......2007-01-19

This packet will be very useful on our journey on the AT. The maps are waterproof and very detailed with shelters, mileage, and altitude. The book itself contains everything we needed to know about each section of the trail and allowed us to choose which sections we deemed most inviting.

Books:

  1. Hockey for Dummies
  2. Hortus Eystettensis
  3. How to Shit in the Woods: An Environmentally Sound Approach to a Lost Art
  4. How to Succeed in the Game of Life: 34 Interviews with the World's Greatest Coaches
  5. Ice Cream: Thirty of the Most Interesting Skaters in History
  6. Lichens of North America
  7. Living With Wolves
  8. Marijuana Horticulture: The Indoor/Outdoor Medical Grower's Bible
  9. Microbiology: Principles and Explorations
  10. Modern Roses: The World Encyclopedia of Roses

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books

  1. The Bible and Its Influence, Student Text
  2. Raising Our Children, Raising Ourselves: Transforming Parent-child Relationships from Reaction And S
  3. Learn to Read Music
  4. Historical Dictionary of Georgia
  5. Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
  6. River's End
  7. Maternal & Child Nursing Care
  8. Working Papers, Chapters 17-24 for Gilbertson/Lehman/Ross' Century 21 Accounting: Multicolumn Journa
  9. Handbook of Development Economics Volumes 3A & 3B
  10. Philosophy Made Simple: A Novel