North Carolina

John Rock Loop

Highlights: Sweeping vistas from granite summit, wildflowers Distance: 5.6 mile out-and-back Elevation change: 1,100 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/Strenuous Trailhead Parking: From US 276 turn onto FS Road 475, turn left at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education; trail head at end of parking lot on the left. Website: US Forest Service Beer Pairings: Ecusta Brewing

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Looking Glass Rock

Highlights: Great views, granite summit, wildflowers Distance: 6.2 mile out-and-back Elevation change: 1,700 feet Difficulty level: Strenuous Trailhead Parking: From US 276 turn onto FS Road 475, signed for the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education; trailhead parking is 1/2 mile on the right. Website: US Forest Service Beer Pairings: Oskar Blues Brewery—Can-O-Bliss Resinous IPA &

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Sam Knob Loop

Highlights: Great views, rocky summit, stream crossings, wildflowers Distance: 3.9 mile loop Elevation change: 730 feet Difficulty level: Moderate Trailhead Parking: Blue Ridge Parkway mile 420, turn right on Black Balsam Road/Forest Road 816 and drive to the parking area at the end  Website: AllTrails Beer Pairings: Brevard Brewing—Nitro Stout & Juicy IPA The Hike:

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Whiteside Mountain

Highlights: Great views, rock cliffs, wildflowers Distance: 2 mile loop Elevation change: 550 feet Difficulty level: Easy/Moderate Trailhead Parking: State Route 1680 between Highlands and Cashiers, fee required  Website: US Forest Service Beer Pairings: Highland Brewing—Gaelic Ale & Daycation IPA The Hike: This short hike has some great mountain views, geology, and history. From the

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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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Andrews Bald & Clingman’s Dome

Highlights: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, bald summits, great views, wildlife Distance: 4.8 miles, out and back Elevation change: 1,490 feet Difficulty level: Moderate/Difficult Trailhead Parking: Clingman’s Dome Visitor Center parking area, Great Smoky Mountains National Park Website: Great Smoky Mountains National Park Beer Pairings: Boojum Brewery—Graveyard Fields porter and Gem & Juice IPA The

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Hemphill Bald

Highlights: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, bald summits, great views, wildlife, history, birdwatching Distance: 9.7 miles, out and back Elevation change: 1,639 feet Difficulty level: Difficult Trailhead Parking: Purchase Knob trailhead, Hemphill Road/Purchase Road, Haywood County, NC; park at National Park gate. Website: Purchase Knob and AllTrails Beer Pairings: Frog Level Brewery—Dragonfly Session IPA &

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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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