New guidebook spotlights the best hikes in Knoxville
By Johnny Molloy
July 20, 2021

Knoxville is a perfectly situated hiker’s paradise. The Great Smoky Mountains rise within sight to the east, offering more than 900 miles of hiking trails amid rushing streams, rugged ridges, huge trees, colorful wildflowers, and abundant wildlife. To the west, the Cumberland Plateau features distinctly different terrain. Water-carved gorges slice through this elevated table of land, exposing rock walls and creating rock houses, sheer bluffs, and other remarkable geological formations. North of Knoxville, the country blends elements of the plateau and the high ranges.

In Five-Star Trails: Knoxville (June 2021, Menasha Ridge Press), acclaimed author and hiking expert Johnny Molloy presents 40 top-rated hiking trails. With hikes in this guide divided into five distinct areas, you’ll wind through hilly woodlands, around expansive lakes, and along meandering rivers. You’ll visit breathtaking waterfalls and find panoramic overlooks.

GPS-based trail maps, elevation profiles, and detailed directions to trailheads help you get where you’re going. Trail descriptions and expert insights into the history, flora, and fauna of the routes enhance your enjoyment along the way. Ratings for scenery, difficulty, trail condition, solitude, and accessibility for children help to ensure that you quickly find the perfect trip.

Five-Star Trails: Knoxville ($19.95, paperback) is an essential guide for visitors and residents alike. It helps readers save time and make the most of their hiking opportunities. It is available wherever books are sold, including bookstores, gift shops, and online retailers.

About the Author
Johnny Molloy is an outdoors writer based in Johnson City, Tennessee. Born in Memphis, he moved to Knoxville in 1980 to attend the University of Tennessee. After graduating with a degree in economics, Johnny spent an ever-increasing amount of time in the wild, becoming more skilled in a variety of environments. Friends enjoyed his adventure stories; one even suggested that he write a book. He pursued that idea and soon parlayed his love of the outdoors into an occupation. The results of his efforts are more than 50 books. These include hiking, camping, and paddling guides, as well as books on true outdoor adventures. Johnny has also written for numerous publications and websites. He continues to write and travel extensively.

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