Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 796.5109756
EAN num: 9781560442110
ISBN number: 1560442115
Label: Falcon
Manufacturer: Falcon
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 360
Printing Date: April 01, 1996
Publishing house: Falcon
Sale Popularity Level: 766820
Studio: Falcon
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product 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.
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers 
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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!!!!!!!!!!
Rated by buyers -
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.
Rated by buyers -
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.
Rated by buyers 
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This book has wonderful text describing the hiking trail. Right on the mark! Good directions to trail heads and sketches of maps.
Rated by buyers -
The author brings the trails to life with vivid descriptions, plenty of useful facts, and many high quality (for a paperback) grey & 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 subsequent 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.
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