Hiking Trails of the Smokies

This book (sometimes called "The Little Brown Book" is by far the best guide to hiking trails in the Smokies. By some miracle of book design, they managed to get comprehensive descriptions of all the officially-maintained trails in the park into a book that you can fit into a jacket pocket. If you only get one book on trails in the Smokies, this is the one you need.

I have several books on the trails in the Smokies, but this is by far the most comprehensive in terms of the number of trails covered and the information covered on each trail. A "must have" for anyone planning a hiking trip in the Smokies. The trail profiles are great.

This book is all you will ever need for any existing hiking trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It details hundreds of trails and includes a trail map of the park. Each trail description is highlighted with an altitude profile that shows elevation changes over mileage. The profile also pinpoints junctions with trailheads, scenic areas, or other landmarks. The book is lightweight so it is easily carried in a pack and it is a bargain for the information it contains.

This is an excellent reference book for hiking trails in the Smokies. All maintained trails are listed and a description of the trail is given by qualified personnel. The length of the trail, highlights (i.e., interesting features), cautions (i.e., steam crossings, poisonous plants,hunting area), map key, use (horse or hiking), and directions on how to get to the trailhead. Very good book for beginners or experienced hikers. The book is compact and easily fits in a daypack for reference along the trail: also comes with a trail guide map of the Smokies. I like the book because maps are included of each trail showing elevation changes in the trail and a precise description of the trail outlining junctions with other trails, stream crossings, and historic features of the trail.