Top Trails: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Hike, backpack, bring the kids; there’s a trail for you.

With its secluded mountain waterways, awe-inspiring views from grassy balds, diverse plant and animal life, and impressive stands of old-growth forest, Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers an overwhelming number of outdoor adventures. Top Trails: Great Smoky Mountains National Park describes both the park’s classic destinations and lesser-known jewels in 50 must-do hikes. The trails range from an easy family stroll to a 7-mile trek through spruce forest atop a peaceful ridge to a panoramic 22-mile overnighter. Each entry in the book includes clear and concise directions, a detailed route map and elevation profile, “don’t get lost” milestones, and expert trail commentary.

Johnny Molloy, who has spent more than 800 nights backpacking in the Smokies, has updated this classic guide. The revised edition includes the new backcountry reservation system implemented in the park, as well as some excellent new hikes. Johnny, who considers the Smokies his home stomping ground, makes sure that all the necessary information to help you execute a hike (from directions to maps) is correct. So this guide helps you leave the roads to explore the heart of the park. Whether you’re looking for a scenic stroll to stretch your legs, a full-day adventure, or a rewarding backpacking trip, you’ll find it here.