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Fontana Dam, NC - Shortly after Appalachian Trail hikers cross the Fontana Dam, they quickly ascend onto the higher peaks of the Smokey Mountain National Park. On this ascent, one can take a short detour and explore the abandoned Shuckstack Fire Tower. Brave hikers can climb to the top of the tower for an awesome view of the surrounding valleys and Fontana Lake. At a length of 3.3 miles (one-way), this section of the Appalachian Trail ascends around 2120′ and can be finished in around 4 hours (out and back).

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Pleasant Grove, NC - The Chestnut Knob Trail is located in South Mountain State Park, just southwest of Hickory. Starting at the Jacob Fork parking area, a short hike past the picnic area and amphitheater on the High Shoals Falls Loop Trail leads to the trailhead. Although it starts out steep, the trail levels off and makes a gentle climb to the top of Chestnut Knob, before heading out to the overlook. At 1.8 miles (one-way), the trail ascends around 918′ and can be finished in around 2 hours (out and back).

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Albemarle, NC - Hattaway Mountain is a modest mountain in central portion of Morrow Mountain State Park. As part of Uwharrie Mountains, it is one of the oldest mountains in North America. Starting at the park’s swimming pool, the trail moves counter-clockwise around the base of the mountain, before heading up to the summit and returning back down to the start . Totaling at almost 2 miles (total), the trail ascends to a point 436′ higher than where you start and can be finished in around 1 hour (total).

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Sparta, NC - Doughton Recreation Area is a 6000 acre park located just off of the Blue Ridge Parkway between mile markers 238 and 244. In addition to the camping, historic homesteads, scenic vistas and the restaurant, hiking is a popular option due to the impressive network of trails generously connected to the parkway. Those looking for a challenge can combine the Cedar Ridge Trail and Flat Top Ridge Trail in to a 9.4 mile / 4 hour trail (total) that travels down 2070′ and then back up 1750′.

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Yosemite National Park, CA - Traveling between two of the most popular areas of the park, the Four Mile Trail is one of the park’s rare trails that can be hiked in either direction. One can start at either Glacier Point and hike down or the floor of Yosemite Valley and hike up. Totaling around 4.8 miles (total) in length, the trail traverses 3200′ of elevation change and can be finished in around 3 hours (one-way).

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Charleston, South Carolina - After years of petitioning, the State of South Carolina Department of Transportation decided to include a pedestrian walkway in the designs for a new Cooper River Bridge. When the new bridge was finished, the walkway became overnight success that provided people the first ever dedicated pedestrian path between Charleston and Mt. Pleasant. Totaling around 2.4 miles (One-way), the walk ascends a strenuous 190′ to cross the shipping channel and then descends the same amount and can be finished in around 50 minutes (One-way).

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Albemarle, NC - Located adjacent to the upper end of Lake Tillery, Falls Mountain is a modest mountain in northern portion of Morrow Mountain State Park. Part of Uwharrie Mountains, it is one of the oldest mountains in North America. Starting riverside, the Fall Mountain Trail follows the river to the Yadkin Falls Dam, where it makes an abrupt left turn, heading up and over Fall Mountain before slowly returning to the starting point. Totaling around 4 miles (total), the trail ascends to a point 450′ higher than where you start and can be finished in around 3 hours (total).

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Kings Mountain, NC - Approaching from the west, the Crowders Trail and Rocktop Trail provide a longer and much more challenging path for scaling Crowders Mountain. These trails experience a great amount of elevation change, both ascending and descending, as they follow the undulations of the terrain between Crowders Mountain and King’s Pinnacle. Totaling around 5 miles (round trip), the trails ascend to a point 760′ higher than where you start and can be finished in around 3 hours (round-trip).

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