With Stream Crossings and Footbridges, The Little-Known Boogerman Trail In North Carolina Is Unexpectedly Magical

North Carolina is home to so many hiking trails that it can be daunting to select the best one. Sure, there are famous trails like the Appalachian Trail or the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, but there are just as many hidden gems that we may not have heard of before. (Plus, we all have different skills and interests, which also makes for a unique challenge.)

Spend any time hiking in the Tar Heel State and you're sure to fall in love with our wild side. With trails that wind through mountains and valleys and past raging rivers or along the beautiful coast, there is a wide array of wonderlands to explore. Check out this little-known trail near Maggie Valley, NC where you'll cross scores of magical streams and footbridges: the Boogerman Trail.

With a total elevation change of more than 1,100 feet and a total distance of 7.3 miles, the Boogerman Trail near Maggie Valley, NC, is anything but easy.

While it might not be easy, it does rank as one of the best hikes in North Carolina.

But those who hike (or run) this trail regularly are a testament to its' spellbinding allure.

Located within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Boogerman Trail winds through some beautiful terrain, crossing several streams, and even crossing several of them many times.

It's a great signature of the National Park Service to make hiking trails in this park as enchanting as possible so the water crossings on this hike are simply spellbinding. Each is different and creates incredible opportunities for stopping to "smell the roses" along the path.

From the Palmer Fork stream to the Sag Branch stream, then up to the top of Snake Ridge and then back down to cross the Snake Branch stream, you can attempt to count the number of water crossings on this hike. It's somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 crossings.

But Boogerman also has other sights to enjoy. In particular, there are a number of enormous trees on this trail through the Great Smoky Mountains. And the canopy in the warm seasons is unusually green.

Make no mistake when you embark upon Boogerman Trail, though. All Trails ranks this hike as "hard," and rightfully so. Be sure you're experienced enough to take this one.

Here's a map of the trek. You can download it from All Trails.

Know of another hike with several footbridges in North Carolina? Tell us about it here. And speaking of Maggie Valley, this incredible aerial video showcases what makes this region of North Carolina so special:

While you're in the Maggie Valley area, don't pass up the chance to go check out the most photographed view in the Smokies! You can find more magical hiking trails in North Carolina on All Trails.