Most Unique Hike: Plane Crash Hike NC

The Blue Ridge Parkway spans 469 miles, most of which are right here in North Carolina. The outdoor adventures found along the parkway include a multitude of trails, visitor centers, and stunning overlooks. There are very few small plane crash sites in North Carolina, and you can find one of them hidden deep in the woods on a trail that runs along a ridge. Shockingly enough, you can even make a day of it! We found out how you can hike to an abandoned airplane crash in North Carolina, and have all the necessary details below. It’s getting harder and harder to find safe abandoned crash sites and places in North Carolina, so we’d highly recommend you take advantage of the opportunity while you still can. Have you ever been on this plane crash hike in NC before?

Be forewarned, adventurers: getting to this abandoned place in North Carolina is no picnic. Once you do, though, you'll see the wreckage of a small plane that crashed here in 1983.

The trail begins at Waterrock Knob at Milepost 451.2. There is a roomy parking lot, so grab some water and follow the path in the direction of Waterrock Knob.

After the initial flat paved surface, the trail soon turns fully uphill and requires some sure footing as you scramble up several rock staircases. You'll have to watch where you're going, but you're going to be rewarded with quite the sight to see.

Along the hike, you'll see there's a small spur trail that veers off to the left. That's the trail you'll take to the plane crash site. Keep your eye on the yellow trail blazes once you take the spur. Also, some say this spur trail is even more difficult than the Waterrock Trail, so be sure to turn around if things get too dicey.

On the way back, if you want to take that set of stairs above that lead to the right, then you'll soon reach Waterrock Knob. An abandoned plane AND a view? This is truly one of the most unique hikes in North Carolina.

For now, follow the spur trail up, over, and along the ridge. You'll go back down for a short distance en route to Browning Knob, the site of the crash. At one point, you'll be able to see Maggie Valley and the now-abandoned Ghost Town In the Sky (see photo above).

After heading through a canopy of pines, you'll spot it. And what a sight it is to see.

According to reports, the plane was en route to Sylva on the night of November 24, 1983, in some undefined precipitation and with low-lying cloud cover.

The plane crashed shortly before 6 p.m. The two people aboard the plane both died. The crash occurred approximately 11 miles from the plane's destination.

The plane that crashed would have been similar to this Cessna 414A.

Would you like to hike to this abandoned airplane crash in North Carolina? I know I would! Or have you already been out to see it before? Make sure you leave your thoughts in the comments, especially if you know of other crashed planes hiding in the wilderness of North Carolina. We’d love to hear about them!

Do you remember the terrifying crash of USAir Flight 1016 near Charlotte Douglas International Airport? That crash occurred just 11 years after this one and was one of the most tragic plane crashes in North Carolina.

If you’re interested in this hike, visit AllTrails, and don’t forget to download the AllTrails+ app before you hit the trail!

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hike to an abandoned airplane crash in North Carolina

Meghan Kraft | March 24, 2021

What are the most beautiful hikes in North Carolina?

Here are some of the prettiest trails in North Carolina:

The state of North Carolina is known for its expansive beauty, but there are a few hikes across the Tar Heel State that really take the cake. If the above hike to an abandoned airplane crash in North Carolina whets your appetite for adventure, read on! If you’re looking for a hike with a view, we’d recommend catching the sunset on Green Knob, or perhaps hiking Looking Glass Rock for the mountaintop views. Deep Gap Trail at Mt. Mitchell State Park will take you along a rocky, windy path to the top of the mountain, and a hike to Paradise Falls will reward you with stunning, watery views of the hidden waterfall.

Where can I hike to a cave in North Carolina?

Here are some of the best places with cave hikes in North Carolina:

Caves are perhaps one of the most fascinating and strange natural wonders out in the wild, especially because of how tempting they are to explore. You can find a series of cave trails in North Carolina, including Boone’s Cave Park which’s great for children, Tory’s Den Cave which will hustle you to a tiny cave steeped in local history, and Hibriten Cave which requires the work of a GPS to locate the tiny wonder. Make sure when you visit, however, that you take care to follow all safety precautions listed by the park in question.

Which state parks should I visit in North Carolina?

Here are some of the best state parks in North Carolina:

The real question is…what state park shouldn’t you visit in North Carolina? There are 41 sparks and recreation areas across the state, and each one seems to be more beautiful than the next. For mountain views we’d recommend Mount Mitchell, standing a whopping 6,684 feet above sea level that allows hikers to see up to 100 miles past the point. Elk Knob State Park is popular for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, and Hanging Rock State Park has five waterfalls, incredible rock outcroppings, a lake, AND a mountain. It’s perfect for a one-and-done day out in the wilderness.

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Waterrock Knob, North Carolina 28779, USA

There's A Hike In North Carolina That Leads You Straight To An Abandoned Crashed Plane

Robin Jarvis

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