National Forest

Springer Mountain

Highlights: Hike-in lodge, wildflowers, AT southern terminus  Distance: 8.8 mile out and back Elevation change: 1,565 feet Difficulty level: Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Amicaola State Park, Top of Falls parking area, park entrance fee required  Website: Len Foote Hike Inn Beer Pairings: Terrapin Brewing—Hopsecutioner IPA & Golden Ale The Hike: There are several ways to reach […]

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Len Foote Hike Inn Trail

Highlights: Hike-in lodge, wildflowers, great views Distance: 4.9 miles one way Elevation change: 500 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/Strenuous Trailhead Parking: Amicaola State Park, Top of Falls parking area, park entrance fee required  Website: Len Foote Hike Inn Beer Pairings: Sweetwater Brewing—420 Extra Pale Ale & IPA The Hike: The Len Foote Hike Inn has been

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Huckleberry Knob & Hooper Bald

Highlights: Bald mountains, wildflowers, great views Distance: 3.2 miles out and back Elevation change: 500 feet Difficulty level: Easy Trailhead Parking: Cherohala Skyway mile post 8, Huckleberry Knob parking is on the right (westbound) and Hooper Bald parking is on the left a bit further west  Website: US Forest Service Beer Pairings: Nantahala Brewing—28779 Pale

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Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest

Highlights: Old growth forest, wildflowers, wildlife Distance: 2 mile loop Elevation change: 370 feet Difficulty level: Easy Trailhead Parking: Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, Joyce Kilmer Road Website: US Forest Service Beer Pairings: Mountain Layers Brewery—Dragon Tamer IPA & Fontana Hoppiness The Hike: Many of the forests in western North Carolina were clearcut in the late

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Spy Rock

Highlights: Rocky summit, panoramic views, fall foliage, Appalachian Trail Distance:  5.8 mile out and back Elevation change:  1,200 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: State Route 828 (Meadows Lane) near Tyro, Virginia Website: AllTrails and US Forest Service Beer Pairings: Seven Sisters Brewery, Mary old ale & Maggie imperial IPA The Hike: In the old days

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Siler Bald via the AT

Highlights: grassy summit, views, fall foliage, Appalachian Trail, Nantahala National Forest Distance:  3.6 mile out and back Elevation change:  1,000 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: Wayah Gap picnic area on Wayah Road, about 14 miles west of Franklin NC Website: AllTrails Beer Pairings: Lazy Hiker Brewing: Springer Fever pilsner and 20 Mile IPA The

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Twin Arches and Slave Falls Loop

Highlights: sandstone arches, waterfall, cliffs, forest, wildlife Distance:  14.1 mile loop Elevation change:  2,035 feet Difficulty level: Difficult Trailhead Parking: Twin Arches Road, Great South Fork National Recreation Area, Jamestown TN; see link below for more information.   Website: National Park Service Beer Pairings: Wiseacre Brewing Company, Tiny Bomb pilsner & Ananda IPA The Hike:

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Grassy Ridge Bald, Jane Bald, and Round Bald on the AT

Highlights: Three bald summits, spectacular views, blaze orange azaleas, Roan Highlands, Appalachian Trail Distance:  4.9 mile out and back Elevation change:  1,030 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: Carver’s Gap at the NC/TN state line; Tennessee route 143 and North Carolina route 261 Website: AllTrails Beer Pairings: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale & Dankful IPA The

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Black Balsam Knob, Tennent Mountain, and Ivestor Gap Loop

Highlights: mountain views, bald summit, wild flowers in spring Distance:  4.6 mile loop Elevation change:  700 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: Blue Ridge Parkway mile 420, turn right on Black Balsam Road/Forest Road 816 and drive 1.2 miles to the trailhead Website: US Forest Service Beer Pairings: Green Man Brewery-Green Man IPA & Green

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