Maps

One of the things you should not be without on your hike is a good map. Maps let you orient yourself to the terrain before heading out, and can help you stay on the path once you hit the trails. HikeWNC.info provides a variety of maps that can be viewed, downloaded, printed, or purchased before your hike. Choose a type of map below to get started.

Google Maps with GPS Data

Choose this option to start with a Western North Carolina Area Overview Map, showing the locations of major trailheads. Choose a trailhead to zoom in and see trail data, links to the Trailhead information, Best Hikes in that area, and download GPS data, all on a familar Google map interface with roads, mountains, and topo map layers.

HikeWNC's Maps

These maps are drawn specifically for each Best Hike on this site. The main advantage with these maps is the ability to produce a high-quality, printable PDF version of the map to take with you on your hike. You can customize the maps before printing to help you along while on the hike.

USGS Quadrangle Maps

This page contains information on the topographic maps published by the US Government, how they are used on this site, and how you can obtain them online for free and in paper form as well.

Trails Illustrated Topographic Recreation Maps

National Geographic's "Trails Illustrated" series of maps, covering much of Western North Carolina's best hiking areas, represents one of the best options hikers have for a printed recreational map. Find information on these waterproof, detailed topographic maps as well as links to purchase them online.

Other Maps

Dupont State Forest Map
While you can view individual maps drawn for this site's Best Hikes within Dupont State Forest above, Friends of DuPont Forest has just released a new and improved Recreation Guide Map of all of Dupont State Forest, offering substantial advantages over other map alternatives. These maps are being sold by area merchants as a fundraiser to support trail and other needed improvements at DuPont State Forest. Similar to the popular Trails Illustrated maps, some of the features of this map include:

• 17" x 22" size
• Shaded relief
• Printed on folded, waterproof PolyArt synthetic stock
• Major water crossing are marked
• Trail Rating System (Difficult, Moderate, Easy) with distances in miles
• Summary and directions to major attractions
• Driving directions from several regional cities

Pick up the printed map at one of your favorite WNC Outdoors Retailers. Or, click here to see online maps of Dupont State Forest.

Map of the Panthertown Valley
An excellent, large-scale trail map of Panthertown has been produced by Slickrock Expeditions. You can purchase a map from their web site for $5, or, to get one faster, you can pick one up at one of the area's fine outdoors retailers.