Jennifer Pharr Davis Knihy

Focusing on local exploration, this hiking guide highlights the finest trails in the greater Charlotte area, making outdoor adventures accessible for urban and suburban residents. Authored by experienced hikers Jennifer Pharr Davis and Johnny Molloy, it features a variety of terrains, including mountains, creeks, and forests, ensuring readers can enjoy nature without venturing far from home. Perfect for those seeking outdoor activities nearby, it provides a comprehensive resource for discovering the region's natural beauty.

After graduating from college, Jennifer isn't sure what she wants to do with her life. Through inexperienced and unprepared, she feels drawn to the Appalachian Trail and sets out along on the long-distance footpath that stretches 2,175 miles from Georgia to Maine. The next five months are the most physically and emotionally challenging of her life--coping with blisters and aching shoulders, hiking through endless torrents of rain and a blizzard, facing unwanted company and encountering tragedy. The trail becomes a modern day Odyssey that tests Jennifer's faith in God, humanity and herself. But even at her lowest points, it provides enduring friendships, unexpected laughter, and the gift of self-discovery. With every step she takes, Jennifer transitions from an over-confident college graduate to a student of the trail. As she travels along the ridges of the ancient mountain chain, she realizes that she isn't walking through nature--she realizes she is part of nature. And she learns that the Appalachian Trail is more than a 2,175 mile hike: it is a journey that will change a person forever.

The guidebook highlights 35 premier hiking trails in the Asheville area, showcasing breathtaking landscapes like waterfalls and mountain vistas. It offers a range of hikes suitable for all skill levels, including historical sites like Mount Pisgah and family-friendly options such as Bearwallow Mountain. Authored by renowned hiker Jennifer Pharr Davis, the updated edition provides essential details for outdoor enthusiasts seeking stunning views, diverse wildlife, and memorable adventures in the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.