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. Twentymile Loop Trail Use: Day Hiking, Backpacking, Horses - Length & Time: 7.6 miles, 3.5–4.5 hours - Vertical Feet: +/-1,300 - Difficulty: 3 - Trail Type: Loop - Features: Stream, Waterfall, Autumn Colors, Wildflowers, Backcountry Camping, Swimming, Secluded - Facilities: Picnic table Leave a quiet trailhead to circle past Twentymile Cascades. Bisect dry ridges to reach Moore Spring Branch watershed. Numerous footlog bridge stream crossings present panoramas of deep pools and frothier cascades. Best Time Late winter and spring offer the most water to enjoy Twentymile Cascades and all the other unnamed falls on Twentymile Creek and Moore Spring Branch. The watersheds are also rich wildflower areas. Finding the Trail From the junction of US 321/TN 73 and East Lamar Alexander Parkway in Townsend, Ten-nessee, take US 321 west and then north 7.5 miles, and exit left (west) onto Foothills Parkway. Follow Foothills Parkway 16.9 miles south to its end at US 129 in Chilhowee. Turn left (south) onto US 129 and follow it 15 winding miles into North Carolina to reach NC 28. Turn left (east) onto NC 28 and follow it 2.6 miles to the signed turnoff for the Twentymile Ranger Station, on your left. The ranger station will be 0.2 mile ahead, on your right. From the intersection of US 19 and Veterans Boulevard in Bryson City, North Carolina, take US 19/US 74 south for 8.8 miles. Then veer right (west) and follow NC 28 for 11.4 miles to the intersection with NC 143. Turn your trip odometer to zero here, and continue 17.7 miles west on NC 28 south to the turnoff for the Twentymile Ranger Station, which will be on your right about 6 miles past the turnoff to Fontana Village Resort & Marina and the Fontana Dam Visitor Center. Trail Description This streamside loop hike never gets too far from the sound of falling water—a key ingredient that makes the Smokies what they are. First, walk along Twentymile Creek, with its big pools that far outsize the amount of water the creek carries to Cheoah Lake. Stay with the Twentymile Trail, shortly reaching tiered Twentymile Cascades, an easy-to-reach waterfall that is fun to play around. Continue up the stream, bridging Twentymile Creek numerous times, getting looks into the fast-dropping stream as it dashes white through a green cathedral. Make a trail junction at now-grown Proctor Field Gap. Veer left on the hiker-only Twentymile Loop Trail, bridging Twentymile Creek one