Hiking
Hiking

Best Hiking in North Carolina

1. Black Mountain Crest
Rank 2004: #29 4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars
An inspiring overnight backpack or shorter day hike across the Black Mountains, with summits all well above 6.000 feet. Views are astounding along this sparsely vegetated ridge, plummeting 4000 feet i...
From the guidebook "Hiking North Carolina" Published by Falcon Publishing
Asheville, NC - Hiking - 12 miles top state trailtop activity trail

2. Mount Mitchell
Rank 2004: #30 5 out of 5 stars5 out of 5 stars5 out of 5 stars5 out of 5 stars5 out of 5 stars
Mt. Mitchell—the highest peak east of the Mississippi—is a crowning part of the Blue Ridge Parkway experience. The only motorized access to the mountain is from the Parkway, at Milepost 355.3, and the...
From the guidebook "Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway" Published by Falcon Publishing
Asheville, NC - Hiking - 12 miles top state trail

3. Uwharrie National Forest
Rank 2004: #305 4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars
Wonderful, woodsy circuit hikes in Uwharrie National Forest, some of substantial length. The Uwharrie and Dutchmans Creek Trails form a figure eight that when linked with forest roads can create hikes...
From the guidebook "Hiking North Carolina" Published by Falcon Publishing
Asheboro, NC - Hiking - 20.1 miles top state trail

4. Mount Pisgah Area Trails
Rank 2004: #80 5 out of 5 stars5 out of 5 stars5 out of 5 stars5 out of 5 stars5 out of 5 stars
Driving the Parkway from Asheville to Mt. Pisgah is a humbling experience —especially if you stopped by Biltmore House and Gardens on the way through town. George W. Vanderbilt’s fascinating palatial ...
From the guidebook "Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway" Published by Falcon Publishing
Brevard, NC - Hiking - 6.4 miles top state trail

5. Appalachian Trail: Clingmans Dome to Spence Field
Rank 2004: #15 4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars
This hike is a long, difficult, beautiful hike, and by the end, you will have your own definition of a Southern Appalachian knob. The trail follows an easy descent for about 3 miles; then a short roc...
From the guidebook "Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians" Published by Stackpole Books
Cades Cove, NC - Hiking - 22.1 miles top state trail

6. Appalachian Trail - Southern Balds Section
Rank 2004: #147 4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars
An inspiring hike on the Appalachian Trail (AT) over the mountaintop meadows called the Southern Balds. As a whole, this is a wonderful but strenuous backpacking trip. Hikers can also make day hikes t...
From the guidebook "Hiking North Carolina" Published by Falcon Publishing
Bakersville, NC - Hiking - 13 miles top state trail

7. Appalachian Trail: Allen Gap to Devil Fork Gap
Rank 2004: #69 3 out of 5 stars3 out of 5 stars3 out of 5 stars3 out of 5 stars3 out of 5 stars
The northern half of this hike borders the Bald Mountain Ridge Scenic Area in the Cherokee National Forest, and the AT runs along a rugged, isolated crest. Outstanding views, masses of rhododendron a...
From the guidebook "Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians" Published by Stackpole Books
Hot Springs, NC - Hiking - 20.2 miles top state trail

8. Gregory Bald Overnight Loop
Rank 2004: #403 4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars
This hike combines the best that the high and low country have to offer. First, you'll travel up the Twentymile Trail past Twentymile Cascades to the Upper Flats streamside camp. Then an arduous climb...
From the guidebook "Day & Overnight Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park" Published by Menasha Ridge Press
Fontana Village, NC - Hiking - 15.7 miles top state trail

9. Craggy Gardens
Rank 2004: #486 5 out of 5 stars5 out of 5 stars5 out of 5 stars5 out of 5 stars5 out of 5 stars
A more than mile-high area of crags and bald mountains with a variety of hikes, easy to moderate, with spectacular vistas and a waterfall. General location: Blue Ridge Parkway....
From the guidebook "Hiking North Carolina" Published by Falcon Publishing
Asheville, NC - Hiking - 6.2 miles top state trail

10. Shining Rock Wilderness
Rank 2004: #51 4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars
Hikes to bald summits and evergreen forests of the Shining Rock Wilderness. Most of these hikes begin on the Graveyard Trail, a less-used and scenic route. General location: Blue Ridge Parkway....
From the guidebook "Hiking North Carolina" Published by Falcon Publishing
Asheville, NC - Hiking - 9 miles top state trail

11. Linville Gorge Wilderness
Rank 2004: #331 4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars
A 12,002-acre tract of designated wilderness, Linville Gorge lies between Jonas Ridge to the east and Linville Mountain to the west. The Blue Ridge Parkway skirts the head of the gorge on the northwes...
From the guidebook "Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway" Published by Falcon Publishing
Crossnore, NC - Hiking - 14 miles top state trail

12. Andrews Bald
Rank 2004: #301 4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars
This is one of the Smokies' finest hikes. The trip passes through an extraordinary spruce-fir forest to the grassy field of Andrews Bald. Resplendent with stunning views, this is an ideal backdrop for...
From the guidebook "Day & Overnight Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park" Published by Menasha Ridge Press
Cherokee, NC - Hiking - 3.6 miles top state trail

13. Shining Rock Wilderness
Rank 2004: #232 2 out of 5 stars2 out of 5 stars2 out of 5 stars2 out of 5 stars2 out of 5 stars
As you drive south out of Asheville and climb past Mt. Pisgah, the Shining Rock Wilderness can’t help but catch your attention. The horizon peels back on an almost Western scale, and meadow-covered m...
From the guidebook "Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway" Published by Falcon Publishing
Brevard, NC - Hiking - 8.8 miles top state trail

14. Bartram Trail
Rank 2004: #514 4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars
An outstanding ridge walk, perfect for backpacking or day Hiking. The graded trail traverses a rarely visited ridge and spectacular summits. General location: North of Highlands....
From the guidebook "Hiking North Carolina" Published by Falcon Publishing
Highlands, NC - Hiking - 8.5 miles top state trail

15. Appalachian Trail: Carvers Gap to Roan High Bluff & Rhododendron Gardens
Rank 2004: #129 4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars
Roan Mountain is a place of mystery, legend, wild beauty, and superlatives. The largest of the Southern Appalachian grassy balds, it also boasts one of the most beautiful displays of Catawba rhododen...
From the guidebook "Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians" Published by Stackpole Books
Bakersville, NC - Hiking - 5.6 miles top state trail

16. Appalachian Trail: Davenport Gap to Max Patch
Rank 2004: #255 5 out of 5 stars5 out of 5 stars5 out of 5 stars5 out of 5 stars5 out of 5 stars
Because of distance and several long ups and downs, the rating on this hike is "strenuous," but in general the grade is good with no difficult or rough spots. The trail passes through peaceful second...
From the guidebook "Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians" Published by Stackpole Books
Waterville, NC - Hiking - 16 miles top state trail

17. Graveyard Fields Loop Trail
Rank 2004: #655 4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars
A loop that reaches two waterfalls and explores a high, alpine-like valley. A second circuit involves a new portion of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Hikes on the well-maintained but heavily traveled Gra...
From the guidebook "Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway" Published by Falcon Publishing
Brevard, NC - Hiking - 9.5 miles

18. Fontana Lake Overnight Loop
Rank 2004: #493 4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars4 out of 5 stars
If you like a combination of mountains and lakes, this moderate hike is for you and any younger or inexperienced backpackers you may wish to bring along. Start your trip with a pleasurable boat ride f...
From the guidebook "Day & Overnight Hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park" Published by Menasha Ridge Press
Fontana Village, NC - Hiking - 17.7 miles

19. Appalachian Trail: Deep Gap to Timber Ridge Trail
Rank 2004: #535 5 out of 5 stars5 out of 5 stars5 out of 5 stars5 out of 5 stars5 out of 5 stars
At 5498 feet, Standing Indian Mountain is the highest point south of the Smokies and the southernmost mile-high peak on the AT. However, the trail climbs gradually with switchbacks, giving this hike ...
From the guidebook "Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians" Published by Stackpole Books
Franklin, NC - Hiking - 10.4 miles

20. Appalachian Trail: Albert Mountain Bypass to Winding Stair Gap
Rank 2004: #679
This hike is mostly downhill on excellent trail and goes along pleasant, peaceful ridges as it directs the AT toward the Smokies in North Carolina. Benton MacKaye had originally envisioned a trail st...
From the guidebook "Exploring the Appalachian Trail: Hikes in the Southern Appalachians" Published by Stackpole Books
Franklin, NC - Hiking - 9.8 miles
This article is about Hiking on land. Hiking (sailing) is a different activity. Beautiful natural scenes are common Hiking destinations

Hiking is a form of walking, undertaken with the specific purpose of exploring and enjoying the scenery. It usually takes place on Trails in areas of relatively unspoiled wilderness.

Off-trail Hiking is often called 'bushwalking', 'bushwhacking', 'bush-bashing' or 'cross country Hiking'. Overnight Hiking is more specifically called 'backpacking'. The word 'Hiking' is understood in all English-speaking countries, but regional terms also exist. In the United Kingdom, the activity is often simply called 'walking'. Australians use the term bushwalking for both on- and off-trail Hiking. New Zealanders commonly employ the word tramping, particularly for overnight trips. Hiking in the mountainous regions of Nepal and India is sometimes called 'trekking'. Hiking a long-distance trail from end to end is often referred to as thru-Hiking.