Great Day Hikes on North Carolina’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail
The Mountains-to-Sea Trail is an 1,175-mile destination trail that crosses North Carolina from Clingmans Dome in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Jockey’s Ridge State Park on the Outer Banks. It connects 37 counties, 7 national parks and forests, and nearly a dozen state parks and historic sites. This is the first-ever guide to day hikes along the crown jewel of North Carolina foot trails. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or new to the outdoors, this official guide from Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail is your go-to companion for exploring all the trail has to offer, showcasing everything from scenic mountain vistas to surprising escapes in the state’s Piedmont region and the wonders of coastal plain pocosins.
Download GPX and KML Files
GPS apps (such as Gaia GPS or BackCountry Navigator) and standalone GPS devices (such as those made by Garmin) can be valuable tools, allowing hikers to see where they are on a trail in real time, as well as plan hikes in advance. Individual GPX and KML files showing the route of each of the day hikes in the guide can be downloaded below. Zip files containing all 40 of the routes are also available. After downloading the files, consult the documentation for your GPS app or device for instructions on installing and using them.
Keep in mind that in some of the more remote locations, cell service may not be available. While GPS functions will still work, you will only be able to see routes and maps that have previously been downloaded.
