Nestled in the rolling blue ridge mountains of western nc, our town is wellloved for its vibrant culture, abundant arts, fantastic cuisine, and close proximity to some of the best trails in the south. North carolina hiking the area known as the north carolina high country basically encompasses six northwestern north carolina mountain counties. Jul 17, 20 this is the king of appalachian trail hikes in north carolina. Explore the best trails in mocksville, north carolina on traillink. The editors at backpacker have created an extensive collection of popular trails and trips for hiking north carolina. While most of the trails in this area were closed, we loved hiking this trail. Western north carolina trails search hikewncs trail database. Our hiking gear list features our favorite, trailtested hiking gear for day hikes on local trails and in the north carolina wilderness. The blue ridge parkway, which runs thru asheville, has hiking trails along its length that are easily accessible. Our 3day smoky mountains hiking experience combines the highlights of the smokies into one relatively short, purely appalachian outdoor vacation. Western north carolina trails search hikewncs trail. A trail is different from a hike in that a hike may use more than one trail, only part of a trail, or roads to connect between different trails if you just want the details needed to go take a hike, start with our best hikes section for full and complete guides that stitch trails together into a great trip, including directions, maps, descriptions, and photos. Save 40% on unc press books during our american history sale. A guide to nearly 500 of north carolinas greatest hiking trails state hiking series 2007.
Hiking information for western nc mtns, north carolina. Stone mountain, three hours west of raleigh, is a family favorite for hiking. A little muddy at times, and 1 creek crossing needed, but it was a really fun hike. There are 51 hikes in this book and it is geared to both day and overnight hikers. Plan your hike at daniel boone scout trail or other blowing rock, north carolina hiking trails.
We challenge you to visit as many north carolina state parks as you can, using your passport book as your guide. This site is designed to provide quick access to informative north carolina hiking websites. Presented below are tour companies that offer guided hiking trips andor the gear you need in north carolina. May 23, 2016 these 12 trails in north carolina will lead you to unforgettable places. She is a member of the carolina mountain club and various other hiking groups. Although both of these trails contain gaps, they provide some great opportunities to see a large portion of the state on multiday treks. Best hiking trails near bakersville, north carolina. A guide to nearly 500 of north carolina s greatest hiking trails by randy johnson 2005 north carolina waterfalls. The 10 best north carolina mountains hiking trails with. The appalachian trail stretches 2,184 miles from georgia to maine. Of course, there are so many wonderful trails in nc that they cant all fit into one book. Find a state trail in addition to trails within state parks, the trails program plans and coordinates the management of state trails.
A hiking and photography guide by kevin adams 2002 hiking trails of the southern nantahala wilderness, the ellicott rock wilderness, and the chattooga national wild and scenic river by tim homan. North carolina hiking trails best places to hike in north. With more than 42 mocksville trails covering 114 miles, youre bound to find a perfect trail like the long branch trail nc or salem lake trail. All of our hiking adventures access pristine wilderness and feature the very best of the north carolina mountains. North carolinas hiking trails are as epic as they are plentiful. From waterfalls to vistas to beautiful displays of wildflowers, there is something for everyone. Today, more than 600 miles of the 1,000 mile route are designated for an offroad hiking experience. North carolina hiking trails best places to hike in. This is another of the north carolina hiking trails that might take up the better part of a day, with a roundtrip distance of 8 miles. The most famous spot for hiking in north carolina is easily the 2,184milelong appalachian national scenic trail, generally known as the appalachian trail or simply the at, which passes through this area. Longdistance trails are a great way to see and experience the wide variety of scenery that south carolina has to offer. Currently, there are six state trails showcasing the natural, cultural and historic resources of north carolina.
F ew states can challenge the diversity of north carolinas hiking trails. North carolina s hiking trails are as epic as they are plentiful. From waterfalls to vistas to beautiful displays of wildflowers, there is something for everyone on the parkway trails in north carolina. A guide to nearly 500 of north carolinas greatest hiking trails by randy johnson 2005 north carolina waterfalls. North carolina hiking trails are great for families with children as well as serious trekkers. North carolina hiking trails is currently on its third edition and it includes trails that are often overlooked including those on municipal, university, private, and commercial land. A guide to nearly 500 of north carolina s greatest hiking trails state hiking series 2007. A guide to more than 500 of north carolinas greatest hiking trails state hiking guides series. Not only does it have the mandatory waterfalls that make a hike worthwhile in my 11yearold son davids mind, it also has a sliding rock for cooling off.
This new edition of north carolina hiking trails covers them all, from short family walks along the coast to longdistance treks in the mountains. Today, a look at why you love to hike and where you like to do it. A complete traverse takes most folks about 6 to 7 days. H o r a c e w i l l i a m s a i r p o r t facilities services. Its a lungbuster to get to the ridge, but hikers are rewarded with specular views from rocky top, charlies bunion, and other peaks along the hike. The thoroughness and the color photographs of beautiful scenery on the trails add to the books appealthis book is a valuable resource for any hiker in north. North carolina hiking resources hiking the appalachians. Apr 01, 2005 with more than 1,300 trails covering 3,500 miles, north carolina is a hikers paradise, boasting an incredible variety of terrain. For our own purposes of focusing on the great north carolina hiking trails, we have emphasized the areas from near the north carolina virginia border milepost 217. Carolina north forest trail map 0 375 750 1,500 2,250 3,000 feet h o r a c e w i l l i a m s a i r p o r t updated february 2018 carolina north greenway cascades community gardens connection mabe crow branch overlook farmhouse duke energy corridor dusty road bypass farmhouse groundwater treatment facility jedi lowlands maytag nature observation.
Bluff mountain trail parallels parkway to milepost 244. North carolinas mountainstosea trail stretches from the great smoky mountains to the outer banks. Carolina north forest trail map 0 375 750 1,500 2,250 3,000 feet h o r a c e w i l l i a m s a i r p o r t updated february 2018 carolina north greenway cascades community gardens connection mabe crow branch overlook farmhouse duke energy corridor dusty road bypass farmhouse groundwater treatment facility jedi. Blue ridge vacations visitors guide for the western north carolina high country of blowing rock and boone nc features books and maps for hiking, cross. Plan a thruhike on a storied route like the appalachian trail or mountainstosea trail.
Whether youre interested in trekking the worldrenowned appalachian trail or finding majestic waterfalls deep in the mountains of north carolina, high mountain expeditions can customize a hike that is perfect for you. Maybe well get lucky and hell write hiking north carolina volume 2 for those of us who love to hike our beautiful north carolina trails. Keep in mind that asheville is located around milepost 380 and getting to milepost 260, for example, 100 miles on the parkway, will take a good three hours driving time. While there are so many options to choose from, sometimes it can get hard to pick which ones to add to you summer bucket. North carolina hiking trails, parks, hiking guides, outfitters. If you do a lot of hiking all over the state of north carolina. You can also contact us through the clubs facebook pagecarolina mountain clubto make comments and suggestions about hikes. Youll intimately experience the smokies diverse forests, waterfalls, historical sites, scenic drives and the famous appalachian trail all in one actionpacked hiking package. For more information about uncs plans for the carolina north satellite campus or active development projects at carolina north, go to facilities plannings carolina north site.
Biking enthusiasts flock to the north carolina high country for unbeatable mountain biking opportunities, as there is an abundance of trails and local bike shops in the area. Hiking in north carolina north carolina hiking and. The mountainstosea trail is the flagship project of the north carolina state trails program. Carolina north forest staff fields a variety of questions about what impacts proposed development will have on the forest. High mountain expeditions offers a series of active north carolina hiking adventures that all include extensive exploration with our knowledgeable guides.
With the 100th anniversary of north carolinas state parks in mind, ive added more state parks and trails, in clouding the mountainstosea trail, plus park history. North carolina hiking resources hiking the appalachians and. North carolinas incredible variety of hiking trails range from the sands of cape hatteras to the majestic great smoky mountains. Choose a day hike in a state park or national forest, or explore an urban landscape on a rail trail. A gps is helpful, i could see how people could get turned around. The 10 best north carolina hiking trails with photos. Hiking north carolinas blue ridge mountains hiker to hikerhiker. Complete hiking information for western nc mtns, north carolina with maps, photos, trail descriptions, guides and outfitters, and more. They cut through craggy mountaintops, waterfalls, river bluffs and tidal marshes to keep the whole family happy, active and entertained. From the great smokies and the blue ridge parkway to the. The most popular trails are appalachian trail three bald hike, roan mountain and high bluff and rhododendron gardens trails roan mountain. Currently, there are two such trails which crisscross the state from one end to the other. So how do you piece the trails together into a great trip. Best hiking trails near wake forest, north carolina.
The museum also features artifacts from and information about the parks oldest inhabitants. Many of the good day hikes were not even in this book. Eastern north carolina provides plenty of coastal hiking opportunities with trails meandering along beautiful beaches and. A guide to scenic trails in northeast tennessee, western north carolina, and southwest virginia, 2005.
With more than 1,300 trails covering 3,500 miles, north carolina is a hikers paradise, boasting an incredible variety of terrain. Many of you are fans of any trail with a waterfall. Eastern north carolina provides plenty of coastal hiking opportunities with trails meandering along beautiful beaches and towering sand dunes. Learn more about our expert staff members at trails carolina. This innbased great smoky mountains hiking tour starts with a scenic drive from asheville, nc to the oconoluftee entrance to the park, where well stop briefly at the mountain farm museum to peruse the early settler buildings and the extraordinary practices of hearty 19th century appalachian farmers. Check out this link to learn more about hiking with the cmc. We print and stitch our asheville trails shirts and hats locally in asheville and atlanta, and theyre our favorite for trail adventures all over the south.
If youre looking for the best trails around raleigh, durham or cherokee, weve got you covered. The editors at backpacker have created an extensive collection of. Get indepth maps, hike suggestions and trail updates. These 12 trails in north carolina will lead you to unforgettable places. Now completely revised and updated, north carolina hikin. Daniel boone scout trail hiking trails, trekking, camping. These are our top ten favorite hiking trails, all within a 40mile drive from our citys downtown at pack square. Pick up a trail map at the park office or print one ahead of timemaps are available on each parks webpage.
Best dog friendly trails in north carolina alltrails. Grandfather mountain north carolina also offers hikers with an abundance of wellmaintained hiking trails that accommodate the more experienced hikers. He leads two hiking groups, is a member of the carolina mountain club, and strives to hike two to three times a week. Hiking enthusiasts like you have posted excellent north carolina hiking and backpacking pages on free web servers only to be ignored by search engines. In 2000, i thruhiked the appalachian trail going southbound from maine and. With full color photographs and maps, this thoroughly updated and revised fourth edition is a guide to more than 500 hiking trails in all regions of the state, from. For our own purposes of focusing on the great north carolina hiking trails, we have emphasized the areas from near the north carolinavirginia border milepost 217.
We took the wilderness trail back, which added to the wide range of scenery. So, pack a lunch and set aside a few hours to tackle these familyfriendly north carolina hiking trails together. Find the top rated hiking trails in north carolina, whether youre looking for an easy short hiking trail or a long hiking trail, youll find what youre looking for. This hike is less challenging in distance and elevation than the alum cave bluffs trail, however, and a good option for a moderate hike. North carolina hiking trails, 4th amc hiking guide series. We have added a few hikes of interest to people that have visited our. Great day hikes on north carolinas mountainstosea trail. The hiking trails are open and dispersed camping is still allowed. Our team is made up of compassionate, highly skilled individuals with decades of experience in their field. Whether youre interested in trekking the worldrenowned appalachian trail or finding majestic waterfalls deep in the mountains of north carolina, high mountain expeditions can customize a. Western north carolina books and maps for the blue ridge. Information on status of facilities at all north carolina state parks. Most people know that the western north carolina is full of spectacular hiking trails.
Five cantmiss appalachian trail hikes in north carolina. Also be aware that uwharrie is popular and will probably be busy w people from charlotte, greensboro, winstonsalem, and the triangle. North carolina nc hiking offers the outdoor enthusiasts a wide range of terrains to explore, from the mountains in the west, through the piedmont, to the beaches in the east. The north carolina portion is nearly 300 miles long, strung across some of the most inaccessible countryside in the state. The most popular trails are falls lake trail from boyce mill, blue jay point county park and smith creek greenway. From tumbling waterfalls to towering mountains, hike ashevilles most popular trails throughout western north carolina. Hiking trails in north carolina are famous for their beauty and for their sheer numbers.
As an owneroperated program, our staff is personally invested in the success of every student and family that we work with. A guide to more than 500 of north carolinas greatest hiking trails state hiking guides series johnson, randy on. From waterfall hikes on the blue ridge parkway to towering summits at linville gorge, and from grassy mountaintops on the appalachian trail to the ultrascenic, waterfallpacked dupont state forest, these great hikes near asheville top lists of favorites. You can spend weeks on the appalachian trail or even just a short weekend along the mountains to sea trail. New cmc hikers guidelines if you want to try some easy hikes check out the nc arboretum. There are hundreds of individual trails in the western north carolina region, but often sticking to a single trail doesnt make for the most enjoyable hike.
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