North Carolina boasts a natural environment of exceptional richness and diversity. From the mountains to the coast, the state is home to an extraordinary variety of publicly accessible sites that showcase aspects of its ecology, geology, biology, and natural history. This book leads the reader on thirty-eight field trips to some of the most interesting and instructive of these natural landscapes. Written by leading naturalists from across the state, this collection of "eco-tours" includes excursions to each of its four major regions: the coast, the Coastal Plain, the Piedmont, and the mountains. Each trip traces a thirty- to seventy-mile driving route that connects preserved areas, hiking trails, scenic overlooks, nature trails, and other sites of interest. All entries provide a map of the route, describe what can be seen and learned along the way, and discuss especially noteworthy features. An essential resource for anyone who treasures North Carolina's natural heritage, this book will inspire and inform travelers throughout the Tar Heel state.

Includes helpful maps and information on activities, points of interest, and programs available at more than 65 natural areas.

The Poconos of northeastern Pennsylvania may get eight million visitors a year, but there are places there one can get lost—and would gladly be lost for a bit. From the iconic Dingmans Bridge spanning the Delaware, to the region’s 150 lakes and forested mountains, Hiking the Poconos covers it all—with the added plus of listing a B&B, a campground, restaurant, local events, and more along with each hike description