Hiking in the Tar Heel State is a fun way to get outside and play. No matter where you are in the state, you’re sure to find some awesome, scenic hikes in North Carolina. We’ve put together a bucket list to carry you through the next 12 months with a hike for every month. Each one is carefully picked to make the most of the season and time of year, so lace up your hiking boots because we are about to head out for a real adventure. Check out the list below!
January: Basin Trail (a.k.a. Hermit Trail) - Kure Beach
AllTrails/Stacy Forman Kure Beach, 601 Fort Fisher Blvd S, Kure Beach, NC 28449, USA
AllTrails/John Holland Located within the Fort Fisher Recreation Area, the Basin Trail is most widely known for the ruins of the Hermit’s hideout, which are actually the ruins of a World War II bunker. Find this and many other attractions on this short and easy beach trail. Learn more (about the trail and the hermit) by checking out our previous article about hiking to find an old abandoned WWII bunker.
February: High Shoals Waterfall Trail - Connelly Springs
AllTrails/Whit Mcconnell Find the trailhead for this hike at the Jacob Fork parking area at South Mountains State Park. Trek for a total of 4.7 miles on this loop trail that features, among other things, a huge cascading waterfall. Learn more about this beautiful waterfall trail by checking out this older article. South Mountains State Park, 3001 S Mountain Park, Connelly Springs, NC 28612, USA
March: Catawba Falls Trail - Old Fort
AllTrails/Julia Marie Editor’s note: Unfortunately this trail was closed in October 2022; they are working on structural improvements to keep everyone safe. The project will take all winter and they hope to have it open again by the spring of 2023. Keep up-to-date information by checking this government website before you go. We would consider this hike to be rated as moderate, but it’s really more on the easy side. At 2.1 miles round trip, it’s also a short and scenic hike to one of the prettiest waterfalls found just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Learn more about it this amazing waterfall trail so you can be ready when it opens again. Catawba Falls Trailhead, 3074 Catawba River Rd, Old Fort, NC 28762, USA
April: Graveyard Fields - Balsam Grove
AllTrails/Bryan Willett One of the most diverse trails in the Pisgah National Forest leads hikers over fields of wildflowers, down into a river ravine, over footbridges, and past some stunning waterfalls. At just under three miles, the loop trail is a popular destination in the height of the spring and summer seasons. With so much to see in the Graveyard Fields, you will want to visit this popular hike. Graveyard Fields Loop Trail, Blue Ridge Pkwy, Canton, NC 28716, USA
May: Elk River Falls Trail - Elk Park
WendyOlsenPhotography / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images One of the prettiest waterfalls in the state is found at the end of a short, 0.3-mile trail that leads to the base of an enormous waterfall that pours with dangerously strong force over a cliff and into a plunge pool below. Learn more about Elk River Falls and this stunning waterfall. Elk River Falls, Elk River Rd, Elk Park, NC 28622, USA
June: Clingman’s Dome Observation Tower Trail - near Bryson City
AllTrails/Ann Teague Hike the 0.6-mile trail to the top of the observation deck of Clingman’s Dome for unparalleled views of the Smoky Mountains. It’s a short hike on a paved path, however, the grade is steep and you are over 6,000 feet above sea level so don’t underestimate the hike. Being that high will give you one of the most scenic views in all of the Great Smoky Mountains. Just check out the pictures from on top of this beautiful spot. Clingmans Dome, North Carolina 28713, USA
July: Mount Mitchell Summit Trail - Montreat
AllTrails/Mike Dee The highest point east of the Mississippi is a wonderful spot to explore on a gorgeous summer day. Mount Mitchell State Park offers unobstructed views unlike any other place in the state. You can drive almost all the way to the top and then a short walk up to the summit will be well worth it. Mount Mitchell State Park, 2388 NC-128, Burnsville, NC 28714, USA
August: Moore Cove Falls - near Brevard
Google/Fabian Diaz A short and easy hike leads to a massive waterfall you can walk behind and under. This is a great family-friendly hike for those with little ones and a unique waterfall. Moore Cove Falls is a must-see trail during those warm summer months, then cool off under the cold mountain water. Moore Cove Falls, North Carolina 28768, USA
September: Nantahala Yellow Mountain Trail - near Highlands
AllTrails/Justin Del Rosario One of the most difficult hikes in the state is more than six miles each way with an elevation change of nearly 1,500 feet each way. But the payoff is obvious when you reach the old fire tower on top of Yellow Mountain. And the best part? You can sleep inside the tower and wake up to the best sunrise ever. Dig deeper into the Nantahala Yellow Mountain Trail before you go. Yellow Mountain Fire Tower, Trailhead, Buck Creek Rd, Highlands, NC 28741, USA
October: Rough Ridge via Tanawha Trail - Linville
skiserge1 / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images If you have the stamina for a more than 2.3-mile hike that’s totally uphill the entire way, then Rough Ridge via the Tanawha Trail is where you want to be when the mountains transform into a brightly lit landscape each fall. Learn more about the trail and the overlook of Rough Ridge via Tanawha Trail. This part of the state is just incredible in the fall.
November: Juney Whank Falls Trail - Bryson City
AllTrails/Paul Hewes One of the coolest waterfall hikes in North Carolina is short and sweet, and leads to a fairytale wooden bridge that crosses over the waterfall! As the final leaves fall off the trees and the air has a certain crisp to it Juney Whank Falls Trail is a great place to go. Juney Whank Falls Trail, North Carolina 28713, USA
December: Black Balsam Knob - Balsam Grove
AllTrails/Lisa Page The Shining Rock Wilderness Area is well represented with the Black Balsam Knob Trail via the Art Loeb Trail. Travel along the top of the mountain ridge for a mile and a half to reach Black Balsam Knob, a treeless perch with views that go on seemingly forever. The whole Art Loeb Trail is filled with stunning views. Black Balsam Knob, North Carolina 28716, USA
AllTrails/Stacy Forman
Kure Beach, 601 Fort Fisher Blvd S, Kure Beach, NC 28449, USA
AllTrails/John Holland
Located within the Fort Fisher Recreation Area, the Basin Trail is most widely known for the ruins of the Hermit’s hideout, which are actually the ruins of a World War II bunker. Find this and many other attractions on this short and easy beach trail. Learn more (about the trail and the hermit) by checking out our previous article about hiking to find an old abandoned WWII bunker.
AllTrails/Whit Mcconnell
Find the trailhead for this hike at the Jacob Fork parking area at South Mountains State Park. Trek for a total of 4.7 miles on this loop trail that features, among other things, a huge cascading waterfall. Learn more about this beautiful waterfall trail by checking out this older article.
South Mountains State Park, 3001 S Mountain Park, Connelly Springs, NC 28612, USA
AllTrails/Julia Marie
Editor’s note: Unfortunately this trail was closed in October 2022; they are working on structural improvements to keep everyone safe. The project will take all winter and they hope to have it open again by the spring of 2023. Keep up-to-date information by checking this government website before you go. We would consider this hike to be rated as moderate, but it’s really more on the easy side. At 2.1 miles round trip, it’s also a short and scenic hike to one of the prettiest waterfalls found just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Learn more about it this amazing waterfall trail so you can be ready when it opens again.
Catawba Falls Trailhead, 3074 Catawba River Rd, Old Fort, NC 28762, USA
AllTrails/Bryan Willett
One of the most diverse trails in the Pisgah National Forest leads hikers over fields of wildflowers, down into a river ravine, over footbridges, and past some stunning waterfalls. At just under three miles, the loop trail is a popular destination in the height of the spring and summer seasons. With so much to see in the Graveyard Fields, you will want to visit this popular hike.
Graveyard Fields Loop Trail, Blue Ridge Pkwy, Canton, NC 28716, USA
WendyOlsenPhotography / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images
One of the prettiest waterfalls in the state is found at the end of a short, 0.3-mile trail that leads to the base of an enormous waterfall that pours with dangerously strong force over a cliff and into a plunge pool below. Learn more about Elk River Falls and this stunning waterfall.
Elk River Falls, Elk River Rd, Elk Park, NC 28622, USA
AllTrails/Ann Teague
Hike the 0.6-mile trail to the top of the observation deck of Clingman’s Dome for unparalleled views of the Smoky Mountains. It’s a short hike on a paved path, however, the grade is steep and you are over 6,000 feet above sea level so don’t underestimate the hike. Being that high will give you one of the most scenic views in all of the Great Smoky Mountains. Just check out the pictures from on top of this beautiful spot.
Clingmans Dome, North Carolina 28713, USA
AllTrails/Mike Dee
The highest point east of the Mississippi is a wonderful spot to explore on a gorgeous summer day. Mount Mitchell State Park offers unobstructed views unlike any other place in the state. You can drive almost all the way to the top and then a short walk up to the summit will be well worth it.
Mount Mitchell State Park, 2388 NC-128, Burnsville, NC 28714, USA
Google/Fabian Diaz
A short and easy hike leads to a massive waterfall you can walk behind and under. This is a great family-friendly hike for those with little ones and a unique waterfall. Moore Cove Falls is a must-see trail during those warm summer months, then cool off under the cold mountain water.
Moore Cove Falls, North Carolina 28768, USA
AllTrails/Justin Del Rosario
One of the most difficult hikes in the state is more than six miles each way with an elevation change of nearly 1,500 feet each way. But the payoff is obvious when you reach the old fire tower on top of Yellow Mountain. And the best part? You can sleep inside the tower and wake up to the best sunrise ever. Dig deeper into the Nantahala Yellow Mountain Trail before you go.
Yellow Mountain Fire Tower, Trailhead, Buck Creek Rd, Highlands, NC 28741, USA
skiserge1 / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images
If you have the stamina for a more than 2.3-mile hike that’s totally uphill the entire way, then Rough Ridge via the Tanawha Trail is where you want to be when the mountains transform into a brightly lit landscape each fall. Learn more about the trail and the overlook of Rough Ridge via Tanawha Trail. This part of the state is just incredible in the fall.
AllTrails/Paul Hewes
One of the coolest waterfall hikes in North Carolina is short and sweet, and leads to a fairytale wooden bridge that crosses over the waterfall! As the final leaves fall off the trees and the air has a certain crisp to it Juney Whank Falls Trail is a great place to go.
Juney Whank Falls Trail, North Carolina 28713, USA
AllTrails/Lisa Page
The Shining Rock Wilderness Area is well represented with the Black Balsam Knob Trail via the Art Loeb Trail. Travel along the top of the mountain ridge for a mile and a half to reach Black Balsam Knob, a treeless perch with views that go on seemingly forever. The whole Art Loeb Trail is filled with stunning views.
Black Balsam Knob, North Carolina 28716, USA
It’s gearing up to be a very busy year so be sure to add these scenic hikes in North Carolina to your calendar before you forget!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Hiking In North Carolina December 16, 2022 Chris Dodge What are some other scenic hikes in North Carolina? Here are a few suggestions for scenic hikes in North Carolina:
Looking Glass Falls The Devil’s Courthouse Chimney Rock State Park
The OIYS Visitor Center
Hiking In North Carolina
December 16, 2022
Chris Dodge
What are some other scenic hikes in North Carolina? Here are a few suggestions for scenic hikes in North Carolina:
Looking Glass Falls The Devil’s Courthouse Chimney Rock State Park
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Here are a few suggestions for scenic hikes in North Carolina:
- Looking Glass Falls
- The Devil’s Courthouse
- Chimney Rock State Park
