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.

HikeWNC's Maps

Interactive 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.

Printable 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. These maps will be updated with our latest GPS data soon.

Other Maps

Pisgah Map Company

Pisgah Map Company has released a worthy competitor to the more established Trails Illustrated map #780 (for the Pisgah Ranger District). Called the Western North Carolina Trail Guide, the new map covers the South Pisgah Ranger District including Bent Creek - but in more detail, with more accuracy, and with some great extra guide information on the back as well. Read our review of the map on the WNCOutdoors.info Blog and be sure to pick up a copy before your next hike. This one is highly recommended!

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.

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. The USGS is publishing a new, digital quadrangle map format called US Topo as well - and these are downloadable PDF files.

Dupont State Forest Map

Friends of DuPont Forest has published a new and improved Recreation Guide Map of all of Dupont State Forest, offering substantial advantages over other map produced before it. 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

Map of the Panthertown Valley

Slickrock Expeditions publishes an excellent, large-scale trail map of the Panthertown Valley area. You can purchase a map from their web site for $12.

Most of these printed maps can be picked up on your way to the trails by stopping by one of WNC's fine outdoor outfitters!