Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians - Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee »

Doris Gove has a lifelong interest in biology and natural history. Her writing includes five books for children; trail narratives, nature trail brochures, and science journal articles for the Great Smoky Mountains Natural History Association; and magazine articles. She has directed two environmental education centers and taught high school, college, and adult programs such as Elderhostel. Gove grew up in Massachusetts, studied at Barnard College, earned a Ph.D. in biology at the University of Tennessee, and taught with the U.S. Peace Corps in Africa. She lives in Tennessee with her husband and daughter and prefers writing jobs that require hiking.

Part of the five-volume Exploring the Appalachian Trail series, this lively hiking companion combines narratives about 45 great day and overnight hikes with color topographical maps and trail profiles (so you can see what climbing you're getting into!), and detailed itineraries that work going north or south. All between the covers of one portable paperback.

Hikes for all abilities and ambitions, from kids, to robust thru-hikers, to seniors. Narratives give detailed descriptions of social and natural history found along the Appalachian Trail. Birds, wildflowers, geology, how the forest works, plus historic sites near the trail, and stories about colorful people who made the AT a reality.

What distinguishes the books from others about the AT? They are not just dry data about mileages and elevations but are consistently interesting, well researched narratives laced with useful insider advice.

• Walking with Hikes in the Southern Appalachians, you can find your way into a tunnel of blooming rhododendrons in the Tennessee highlands.
• You can admire the handiwork of the Civilian Conservation Corps in North Carolina's Great Smoky Mts. National Park.
• Or marvel at long distance views from atop the "balds" at over 5,000 feet and get an explanation of these unusual botanical zones.
• Or hear the story of how the original AT was meant to start at another Georgia mountain altogether, not at Springer Mt.

Exploring The Appalachian Trail also provides essential information on what to wear, eat, and bring along for maximum comfort and safety on the AT. A great guide about how to have an interesting, safe time on the trail.

Appalachian Trailway News - Jean LeBlanc

If you're a walker who likes to stop and smell the roses, this is the Trail guide for you. An amazing amount of information is packed into this portable volume.