Top Trails: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Discover classic destinations and lesser-known jewels of Great Smoky Mountains National Park through 50 incomparable hikes.
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 countless opportunities for outdoor adventure. To find the best of them, follow expert author Johnny Molloy—who has spent more than 900 overnights in the Smokies, hiking and camping!
Leave the roads to explore the heart of the park—whether you're looking for an easy family stroll to a soothing stream, a seven-mile trek through a spruce forest atop a peaceful ridge, or a panoramic 22-mile overnighter. You'll experience the best of the treasured national park that lies along the border of North Carolina and Tennessee in Top Trails: Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Inside you'll find: 50 favorite routes for hikers, backpackers, and cyclists Detailed maps and elevation profiles Trailhead directions and “don't get lost” milestones Key at-a-glance information, including trail length, difficulty, features, and facilities Expert trail commentary
Johnny considers the Smokies his home stomping ground, so he makes sure you have the necessary information to enjoy Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Whether you're looking for a scenic walk to stretch your legs, a full-day hike, or a rewarding backpacking trip, you'll find it here.

Johnny Molloy is a writer and adventurer who lives in Johnson City, Tennessee, and spends his winters in Florida. His passion for the outdoors was ignited on his very first backpacking trip in Great Smoky Mountains National Park while he was a student at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. That initial foray unleashed a love of the outdoors that has led the Tennessee native to spend most of his time backpacking, canoe camping, and tent camping for the past three decades, including more than 900 nights backpacking in the Smokies.
The results of his efforts are more than 85 outdoors guidebooks. His writings include hiking, camping, paddling, and how-to guides, as well as books about true outdoor adventures throughout the eastern United States. Johnny continues to write and travel extensively throughout the United States, endeavoring in a variety of outdoor pursuits.
Away from the trail, Johnny's interests include Christian studies, American history, and University of Tennessee sports. He is also a Gideon and an active member of Christ Community Church in Johnson City.