AN OVERVIEW OF HIKING IN NORTH CAROLINA By Robert Rankin, Robbinsville, NC

Introduction Robert Rankin has owned the Snowbird Mountain

Lodge in Robbinsville, NC, since 1995. A native of the Robbinsville, NC, area, Robert Rankin spends his free time hiking and mountain biking on local trails.

Few regions in the continental United States can provide hikers with as many diverse locations as North Carolina. The state is home to the highest mountain peaks in the eastern United States as well as famed trails such as the Blue Ridge Parkway and more than 300 miles of the Appalachian Trail.

Hiking in North Carolina While hikers could make a whole summer of

exploring different trails throughout the state, touching on such natural landmarks as the Linville Gorge and Grandfather Mountain State Park, many hikers dedicate entire seasons to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The most popular national park in the United States, Great Smoky Mountains provides more than 800 miles of pathways along the scenic Tennessee border. Other outdoor adventures include Hanging Rock State Park, Stone Mountain State Park, and Pilot Mountain State Park.