For many hikers, guidebooks are the only resource they will ever
need. For this reason, many hikers refer to guidebooks as
“hikers’ bibles”. Because guidebooks vary in structure and depth,
I have gone into detail with each book, describing their strengths and
weaknesses. North Carolina presents many regions suitable for
hiking, so rather than just present guidebooks that cover the whole
state with little depth, I have presented sources that cover specific
regions in great depth. I have included a couple of statewide
guidebooks for those looking for an all-in-one source.
A final note: Currency is a very important issue when dealing
with hiking guidebooks. A trail listed in a book twenty years ago
may no longer be maintained. New trails may have been built,
creating a confusing situation if you are using an old guidebook.
For both of these reasons it is extremely important that you seek out
the most up to date trail information prior to beginning your
hike. Only guidebooks published after 1996 are included in this
list.
Johnson, Randy. Hiking North Carolina. (1996)
C917.02 J68h – NCC Stacks
GV199.42.N66 J65 1996 – UL 3rd floor stacks
This book is a great overall guide for hikes across North Carolina. This structure of the book is very similar to other Falcon guides, starting with a good table of contents, followed by a map of North Carolina that has numbers denoting where each trailhead is. The introduction describes the regions and weather of North Carolina. A section on general hiking tips is included, most notably a write-up on the pests one may encounter in North Carolina. There is also an interesting history of the Appalachian Trail included.
This book includes entries for 51 locations, most of which included many trails. The trails listed in this book range from those in the western mountains all the way to those in the Outer Banks. The entry for each section begins with an overview of the site, usually some history and other interesting information. A general description follows, along with general location, length, degree of difficulty, a list of maps that cover the area, the elevation gain and loss, trailhead elevation, high point, low point, water availability, best season recommendation, and contacts for more information. Detailed directions to the trailhead and a narrative of the hike follow this section. Each entry also includes a nice little trail map as well.
As with other Falcon Guides, this one includes several appendices. The first lists hikes and mileage logs for the Appalachian Trail and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This appendix also includes more maps that can be extremely helpful when planning a hike in these areas. A hiker’s checklist and a list of resources round out the appendix section.
de Hart, Allen. North Carolina Hiking Trails. (1996)
C917.02 D32n 1996 – NCC stacks
GV199.42.N66 D4 1996 – UL 3rd floor stacks
With description of over 900 trails, all in North Carolina, this book is most likely the most comprehensive trail guide for North Carolina in print. With listings for so many trails, the book sacrifices some of the decadent conveniences of the Falcon Guides, such as individual maps and headings for each trail. Because of this, this book will become more useful as the hiker becomes more familiar with North Carolina and her trails.
The books table of contents is organized in a rather unorthodox manner, splitting up sections by function (National parks, National Forests, State Parks, etc.). Again, this is not very helpful for someone new to the area, but becomes increasingly easier to use as the hiker becomes familiar with the area. The introduction is standard, featuring information on the area and its history, as well as sections on how to use the book and general hiking information.
The entries for each trail include a header that lists length and difficulty. Some entries also include connecting trails, special features, contact information and support facilities. A description of the location of the trailhead and a narrative of the hike follows. Appendices include a listing of outdoor organizations, other sources of information, endangered and threatened species, and trails for special people. There is also a bibliography and a great trail index. A bonus of this book is the inclusion of four full sized topographical maps, definitely a great aid to the hiker.
Setzer, Lynn. 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Raleigh. (2001)
C917.02 S495s – NCC stacks
GV199.42.N662 R357 2001 – UL 3rd floor stacks
As the title says, this very user-friendly book lists sixty hikes within a sixty-mile drive of Raleigh. A map at the beginning of the book helps the hiker find a nearby trail. The preface gives a listing of various state parks and greenways in the area. A nice section on hiking recommendations can get you started by breaking hikes up by distance and purpose. The introduction functions as a “how to use this book section,” as well as giving general hiking and climatic information.
The entries for each hike include a table. This table shows a map to the trailhead, and gives key information such as length, configuration, difficulty, scenery, exposure, solitude, trail surface, hiking time, access, what maps will show the trail, and facilities. Each listing also includes a detailed map of the hike. The body includes a brief description of the hike, directions to the trailhead, and a narrative of the hike. Some entries also include nearby points of interest. Appendices list outdoor shops and places to buy maps in the area. An index also proves to be helpful when looking for a hike.
de Hart, Allen. Trails of the Triangle: Over 200 Hikes in the
Raleigh /
Durham / Chapel Hill Area. (1997)
C917.4 D32t – NCC stacks
GV199.42.N662 R354 1997 – UL 3rd floor stacks
Allen de Hart takes his experience in writing North Carolina Hiking Trails and puts it to good use in this book, which lists 200 hikes in the Raleigh – Durham – Chapel Hill area. Much like in North Carolina Hiking Trails, the table of contents is divided by ownership or purpose of the property (state parks, county parks, etc). This is not very useful to someone new to the area, but once you get your bearings you will have no problem. The introduction gives a brief history of the Triangle, as well as some general hiking information.
The book gives a description and history of each area before listing the individual entries for each trail. A length and difficulty for each trail is given before directions to the trailhead and a narrative of the hike. Appendices list information resources as well as trails for the physically handicapped. An index is also included.
Johnson, Randy. Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway: the
Ultimate Travel Guide to
America's Most Popular Scenic Roadway. (2003)
C917.5 J68h – NCC stacks
This book is a Falcon Guide, premier handbooks for hiking. This book gives descriptions of 45 trails and parks (the parks generally being the head of multiple trails). A table of contents that includes a map of the Blue Ridge Parkway along with a milepost locator for each trail makes finding the trails listed in this book very easy. The introduction includes must-see trails and sights, information on the climate and general driving concerns (watch out for those winding roads!) as well as trailside pests that you may encounter in this region.
Entries for each trail include a header. This header includes a general description, mile marker location of the trailhead on the Parkway, total distance of the trail, difficulty, elevation gain, and maps that will have the trail. Entries also include a written description for finding the trailhead, a narrative of the hike, a topographical map of the trail. Some entries also include pictures and key points along the trail.
The end of the book includes a Blue Ridge Parkway mileage log. This gives you the location of landmarks, services, trailheads and other points of interests along 470 miles of the Parkway. These locations are given in the tenth of a mile, making it easy to locate the point of interest. An appendix tells when particular species of wildflowers are blooming and where to see them. A final appendix gives the contact information of a number of relevant organizations.
Homan, Tim. Hiking Trails of the Southern Nantahala
Wilderness, the Ellicott Rock
Wilderness, and the Chattooga National Wild and Scenic River. (2002)
C917.5 H812h – NCC stacks
The author claims that this book gives a description of every trail located within these areas. This book starts with a nice history of the three areas. It includes a “Things to know before you go” section as well as a section on how to use the book. There is also a map of the area of the region, giving the user a good idea where these three areas are.
The book is broken up into three sections, one for each area. The beginning of each section gives detailed directions for access points into the areas. There are overview maps of each area to help you find these access points. There are also more detailed maps that include the trails on them.
The header for each trail entry includes a degree of difficulty for day hiking as well as backpacking, vehicular access information, trail junctions, topographical quadrangles, blaze information, ranger districts and national forests, and special features. The actual entry includes a narrative description of the trail and lengthy nature notes, information about the flora and fauna you may encounter on the trail. The nature notes section generally includes an illustration that will help in identifying the species of plant discussed. There are also more detailed directions on how to get to the trailhead.
There is a final section, which gives tips on how to help maintain the wilderness atmosphere in these very special places. There is a list of addresses for a variety of relevant agencies, as well as an index of trails and nature terms.
Adams, Kevin. Hiking Great Smoky Mountains National
Park. (2003)
C917.5 A214h – NCC stacks
This book is also a Falcon Guide. So many features made this the most user-friendly source I came upon, especially user friendly for the person not from the area. A great table of contents includes a locator map, where a user can locate the general area of a hike using a corresponding number in the table of contents. A USGS quads map also aides you in determining which USGS quad you hike will fall in. The introduction includes general tips that are relevant to the Great Smokies. There is a section with contact information and other tips to help in planning a trip to the park. There is also a section that helps the user use the book. A great addition is the trail finder, a listing of trails separated by types of hike and difficulty.
The book is divided into four sections, each corresponding with a geographic area of the park (northeast, northwest, southeast, southwest). The entry for each trail starts with a heading that includes highlights, the type of hike, total distance, difficulty, which map to use, special considerations one should take, finding the trailhead, parking and key points along the trail. A cool feature of this book is that each entry includes an elevation chart, showing you how steep the trail is, and where the steep parts are. In addition, there a many maps that shows the trails on them. There is a narrative description of each hike, as well as a description of optional routes. Appendices include descriptions on where to get more information, a further reading list, and a hikers checklist.
Homan, Tim. Hiking Trails of Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock and Citico Creek
Wildernesses. (1998)
C917.5 H76h 1998 – NCC stacks
GV199.42.T22 C585 1998 – UL 3rd floor stacks
This is a great book for this specific area. An easy to use table of contents makes it easy for the hiker to locate a trail of interest. The introduction gives a history of the area, general hiking information, and a how to use section.
The entries for each trail start with a summary that includes degree of difficulties for day hiking and backpacking, trailheads or interior junctions, trail junctions, topographic quadrangle information and special features. The description of the trail gives a narrative of the hike, nature notes that place a great emphasis on wildflowers, and directions to the trail. Sections in the back discuss environmental friendliness and list some resource information. Unfortunately, there is no index, but the table of contents is good.
de Hart, Allen. Hiking North Carolina’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail.
(2000)
C917 D322h – NCC stacks
GV199.42.N662 M682 2000 – Davis 6th floor stacks
Allen de Hart produces another great resource for the hikers of North Carolina. This book claims to be the first comprehensive guide to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST), the nearly 1000 mile long trail that crosses North Carolina; think North Carolina’s version of the Appalachian Trail. While I do not know whether this is the first guide for the trail, it certainly is the most comprehensive I found.
de Hart breaks the book, and the trail, up into sections, each listed in the table of contents. The introduction gives a brief history and description of the trail, as well as a “how to use” section and some general hiking information. Each section provides a wealth of information. The description starts with information on the county, length and difficulty, which maps cover the area, features, trails followed and connected, trailhead locations, camping and provision information, and security information. There is a very in depth narrative description of each section. Some sections also include diversions. One thing this book includes that I have never seen in another guidebook is campfire stories, many of which took place near the MST.
The last chapter gives a comprehensive history of the MST. Appendices list the stages of development and distances of each \section. The final part of this book is over 100 pages of maps aiding the hiker on their journey. An index is also included.
Goldsmith, C. Franklin III, Shannon E.G. Hamrick and H. James
Hamrick, Jr. The Best Hikes of the Pisgah National Forest. (2000)
C917.5 G624b – NCC stacks
GV199.42.N66 G64 2000 – UL 3rd floor stacks
A great book for a very specific area, this guidebook is the one you need when planning a hike in the Pisgah National Forest. The book is divided into ranger district, and each district is divided into areas. This book gives descriptions of over 100 trails. Dispersed amongst the descriptions are vignettes on a variety of topics ranging from GPS to water purification.
The entries for each area include several topographical maps to help aid in navigation along the trail. The trail entries include length, difficulty, elevation change, USGS quadrant information, and trailhead access. A great feature of this book is the inclusion of GPS coordinates within the description of the trail. Appendices list loop trails, hikes for children and the elderly, half-day hikes, full-day hikes, and trails accessible from the Blue Ridge Parkway. There is also an index.
de Hart, Allen. Trails of the Triad: over 140 Hikes in the
Winston-Salem / Greensboro / High Point Area. (1997)
C917.4 D32t1 – NCC stacks
GV199.42.N662 W554 1997 – UL 3rd floor stacks
This book is a great source of information for hikers looking for trails in the Greensboro-Winston-Salem-High Point area. As in de Hart’s other books the table of contents can be a bit confusing at first use. The introduction includes a history of the area and general hiking information.
There is a map for each area, usually including several trails. The entry for each trail lists length and difficulty level, special features, location of trailhead and narrative description of the trail. Appendices list resource information and trails for those with handicaps. There is an index.
Childrey, Don. Uwharrie Lakes Region Trail Guide. (1998)
C917.3 C536u – NCC stacks
This book has a wealth of information for mountain bikers as well as hikers. The introduction discusses the hiking and riding opportunities in the area, a guide on finding the area, a “how to use” section and some general hiking information. The table of contents is relatively easy to use.
Each section begins with the author’s choice for that area. This is a nice feature, especially if you are not familiar with the Uwharrie Lakes area. Each hike has a map of the trail, a mileage log with brief descriptions of features and an elevation chart showing the inclines and declines of the trail. There is also a summary that includes the trailhead, length, tread, difficulty, configuration, elevation gained and lost.
Unfortunately, this book does not include a narrative for each hike. Never the less, it is still highly usable. The back of the book includes sections on volunteer opportunities and regional information. There is also a quick reference chart listing trail information. There is an index.