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The Hiking pages simply list trails from the various sites on these pages that are generally 5 miles or longer. We've provided links to maps and some additional information where it's available. Trail names, lengths (one-way) and difficulty levels may differ among publications. Check at park offices or ranger stations for maps and guides. For the definitive guide to hiking in North Carolina, we recommend "North Carolina Hiking Trails" by Allen de Hart, which is a source for some of the information below.
Also, Joe Miller, the outdoors/fitness reporter for The News & Observer in Raleigh has published "100 Classic Hikes in North Carolina." His blog, Get Out! Get Fit!, is a good source of news about parks, hiking, camping and cycling in North Carolina with an emphasis on the Triangle.
The National Forests in North Carolina are replete with hiking opportunities, and backcountry areas allow primitive camping. Below are some of the more significant trails, including the Bartram National Recreation Trail and the Uwharrie National Recreation Trail, and specified backcountry areas with descriptions of hiking opportunities from the National Forest Service. |
- Neusiok Trail. Easy, 20.4 miles. From the Neuse River at Pine Cliff Recreation Area off of N.C. 306 north of Havelock south to the Newport River at Oyster Point campground near Newport. Trail crosses cypress swamps, hardwood ridges, longleaf pine savannah and pocosins (low, swampy areas) along the Neuse River and across several paved and unpaved roads. Camping is allowed anywhere along the trail but there are three three-sided shelters with grills along the trail. (252) 638-5628.
Nantahala National Forest (Map)
- Bartram National Recreation Trail. Moderate/strenuous. Trail begins in Georgia and includes nearly 80 miles in North Carolina, entering the state just south of Highlands near Rabun Bald and extending north-to-west, joining the Appalachian Trail at two points and ending on Cheoah Bald. Includes high, rocky and steep areas as well as less-strenuous sections; many side trails lead to views of Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains. (828) 479-6431 (Ranger District office).
- Blue Valley, near Highlands. 8 miles of trails, including Bartram Trail segment, Hurrah Ridge, West Fork, Glen Falls, Chinquapin Mountain. Runs through side-slopes of Blue Valley, crossing small streams and Glen Falls. (828) 526-3765.
- Cheoah Bald, near Almond. 18 miles of trails, including Appalachian Trail (Stecoah Gap to Wright Gap), Bartram Trail (above) and Rock Creek. High-elevation views, steep trails, grassy balds, cascades, shelter. (828) 479-6431.
- Fires Creek, near Hayesville. 19 miles of trails, including Fires Creek Rim, Bald Springs, Chunky Gal and Shinbone. Remote, high elevation, some primitive trails; low use. Bridle trails. (828) 837-5152.
- Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest/Slickrock Wilderness Area, near Robbinsville and Santeetlah Lake. 42 miles of trails, including Joyce Kilmer Memorial, Slickrock Creek, Hangover Lead, Nichols Cove, Deep Creek, Haoe Lead, Stratton Bald and Naked Ground. Easy, 2-mile Joyce Kilmer Memorial Trail plus moderate to strenuous hiking with steep elevation changes include huge, old trees in virgin forest of Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, waterfall, outcroppings and fishing.
- Panthertown, near Cashiers. 30 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. Numerous trails. Stream valley with views, rock outcrops and waterfalls. (828) 526-3765.
- Snowbird, near Robbinsville. 37 miles of trails, including Big Snowbird, Burntrock Ridge, King Meadows, Middle Falls, Mitchell Lick, Sassafras Creek and Snowbird Mountain. Stream basin, ridge-top and creekside trails and waterfalls. (828) 479-6431.
- Tsali Recreation Area, near Almond on Fontana Reservoir. 39 miles of trails, including Thompson Loop Trail, Tsali Horse Trail and Mouse Branch Loop Trail. Easy to moderate trails with lake views, wildflowers, widlife. Trails are also open to mountain biking and horseback riding on alternating days. Bikers and equestrians are charged a fee. (828) 479-6431.
Pisgah National Forest (Map)
- Black Mountain, near Burnsville. 43 miles of trails, including Black Mountain, Crest, Buncombe Horse Range, Bald Knob Ridge, Mount Mitchell, Big Tom Gap, Higgins Bald Ground, part of Colbert Ridge, Woody Ridge. Many loops. Significant elevation changes in the Mount Mitchell area; steep, rugged and rocky trails. Bridle trails. (828) 682-6146.
- Laurel Mountain, near Brevard. 13 miles of trails, including Pilot Rock, Laurel Mountain Connector, and parts of Laurel Mountain, Big Creek, Pilot Cove/Slate Rock. Streamside and ridgeline trails, some views; high use. Bridle trails. (828) 877-3265.
- Linville Gorge Wilderness, near Linville Falls. More than 50 miles of trails including Mountains-to-Sea Trail (Pinnacle-Shortoff-Table Rock), Linville Gorge Trail, Shortoff Mountain, Jonas Ridge, Rock Jock, Brushy Ridge and Conley Cove. The 2,000-foot-deep gorge on Linville River has some of the most rugged terrain east to the Rockies and such well-known rock climbing opportunities as Table Rock, Hawksbill and the Chimneys. (828) 652-4841.
- Mackey Mountain, near Old Fort. 17 miles of trails, including Mackey Mountain, Laurel Fork, Greenlee Mountain, Hickory Branch and Leadmine Gap. Primitive ridge-top trails; low use, few signs or blazes. (828) 652-2144.
- Middle Prong Wilderness, near Waynesville. 22 miles of trails, including Buckeye Gap, Green Mountain, Haywood Gap and part of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Terrain is extremely steep, with elevations from 3,200 feet on West Fork Pigeon River to 6,030 on Cold Mountain. The area includes Shining Rock Ledge (elevation more than 5,000 feet) and five peaks at 6,000 feet. (828) 877-3350.
- Shelton Laurel, near Hot Springs. 33 miles of trails, including Appalachian Trail (Allen Gap to Flint Gap), Pounding Mill, Hickey Ford, part of White Oak, Fork Ridge, Green Ridge. Remote, steep, rugged trails; some waterfalls; low use, shelters. (828) 622-3202.
- Shining Rock Wilderness, near Pisgah. 40 miles of trials, including Art Loeb, Cold Mountain, Fork Mountain, Investor Gap, Little East Fork, Old Butt and Shining Creek. Ivestor Gap and Little East Fork trails are also open to horseback riding. Wilderness is made up of steep and rugged high-elevation ranges; trails are rated difficult, except for 3.7-mile Ivestor Gap, which is easy. (828) 877-3350.
- Wilson Creek, near Linville. 10 miles of trails, including Wilson Creek, Bill Crump, Wilson Creek Spur, White Rocks. Narrow, deep stream valley, streamside trails. Find more information at the Friends of Wilson Creek site. (828) 652-2144.
Uwharrie National Forest (Map)
- Uwharrie National Recreation Trail. 20.5 miles, easy to moderate. Starts on N.C. 24/27 10 miles west of Troy along with Dutchman's Creek Trail (a 9.5 mile loop) and ends at S.R. 1306 2 miles east of Ophir. Additional access at N.C. 109, 8 miles west of Troy and along other roads the trail crosses. Variety of scenery, streams and rocky climbs, Dark Mountain, three camping areas. (910) 576-6391.
- Badin Lake Hiking Trail. 5.6-mile loop at Cove Boat Ramp and picnic area, 15 miles northwest of Troy, has a 2.5-mile route available. Easy trail skirting coves along Badin Lake.
- Birkhead Mountain Wilderness, near Troy. 10 miles of trails, including Birkhead Mountain Trail, Robbins Branch, Hannah's Creek. Long, wooded ridges, moderately steep terrain, small streams, rocky outcroppings and the Uwharrie River; elevations from about 450 feet on drainage bottoms to around 950 feet on Cedar Rock Mountain.
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