This Land, Your Land

For National Public Lands Day on September 24, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy has declared its first Family Hiking Day.

To get "kids, youth, parents and grandparents out on the Appalachian Trail - many for the first time," the ATC has complied a list of family-friendly hikes, including these in North Carolina, and has local volunteers leading hikes on the 24th at Max Patch Bald and Lovers Leap Loop, both near Hot Springs and both on the family-friendly hikes list.

The family-friendly hikes also include Wayah Bald near Franklin (see below), Round Bald and Jane Bald near Bakersville, and Little Rock Knob near Buladean.

An 0.3-mile paved trail takes you to a CCC-era tower at Wayah Bald and views of the Smoky and Unicoi mountains of the Nantahala and Little Tennessee valleys. Click on the photo for more information.