Summertime is officially on the horizon and what pairs better with summer than a beautiful hike in gorgeous North Carolina scenery? While some hikes can be somewhat intense, and even span a day or two, if you’re looking to hop in the car for some ‘semi’ instant gratification and adventure, these easy but amazing hikes are a must-add to your summer bucket list and are some of the best hikes in North Carolina!

1. Jomeokee Trail, Pilot Mountain
Jomeokee Campground, 1140 Paces Place Rd #8373, Pinnacle, NC 27043, USA
Flickr / Susan Smith
For one of the shortest on the list, the Jomeokee Trail does not disappoint. The 0.9-mile hike loops you around the big pinnacle of Pilot Mountain with plenty of interesting rock outcroppings, formations, and even nooks for picnics. It's perfect for a quick daytime hike or a way to spruce up your usual workouts.
2. Craggy Gardens
Craggy Gardens Visitor Center, Blue Ridge Parkway, Black Mountain, NC, USA
Wilmer Coello/Google Local
Late May is the perfect time to try the 1.5-mile Craggy Pinnacle Trail as the rhododendron blooms overtake the majority of your hike. From feeling like you've entered Middle Earth or fallen down the rabbit hole, Craggy Gardens is full of wondrous scenery with a breathtaking endpoint featuring views of some of the tallest peaks in Blue Ridge. At the same time, it is short enough to be on the short-list of great kid-friendly hikes around North Carolina.
3. Crabtree Falls Loop Trail
Crabtree Boulevard, Crabtree Blvd, Raleigh, NC, USA
Flickr / Jim Dollar
This 2.5-mile hike takes you to the stunning Crabtree Falls. Perfect for a mid-morning hike, once you get to the impressive waterfall you'll want to hang around for a bit. The hike features stone stairs down to the fall, a small walkway bridge, and flat paths on your way back ... the perfect mix of everything.
4. Flat Laurel Creek
Flat Laurel Creek, North Carolina, USA
Flickr / Wes Hill
If you're wanting to try to popular Graveyard Fields Trail, but don't want to deal with crowds, try the gorgeous alternative of Flat Laurel Creek. This remote, The 2.5-mile hike starts at a high elevation valley, then leads through dark, spruce-fir trees. The trail is beneath both Sam's Knob and Black Balsam Knob. If you're looking for a little more, you can also hike to a waterfall on Flat Laurel Creek.
5. Sugarloaf Dune Trail
Sugarloaf Mountain Road, Sugarloaf Mountain Rd, North Carolina 28792, USA
Flickr / Gerry Dincher
For a coastal alternative, the 2.8-mile Sugarloaf Dune Trail at Carolina Beach State Park weaves you through a diverse coastal habitat from marshland, tide forests, and sprawling water views ... you might even see a Venus Fly Trap.

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6. Lower Cascade Trail
Lower Cascade Falls, North Carolina 27052, USA
Flickr / gregoj
The shortest hike on this list, at just 0.40 miles, is a favorite for many. Located at Hanging Rock State Park, Lower Cascade Falls is one of three waterfalls found at Hanging Rock but also doubles as a beautiful swimming hole come summer. If you're craving more adventure, you can take the 4.3-mile Moore's Wall Loop Trail to the top of Hanging Rock on one of the most scenic hikes in North Carolina.
7. Whiteside Mountain
Whiteside Mountain, North Carolina 28741, USA
Flickr / Alistair Nicol
For only 2.5 miles, the Whiteside Mountain trail is beyond amazing. Your destination is the 700-foot whiteside 'cliff.' A great time to try this hike is in early June as wildflowers overtake the terrain.
8. Erwin's View, Linville Falls
Linville Falls, NC 28752, USA
Flickr / Kim Seng
Linville Falls sees no shortage of visitors, and for good reason, the waterfall offers different hiking trails all leading to different perspectives of the falls. If it's your first time, the 1.9-mile Erwin's View Trail begins at the Visitor Center and takes you to one of the most coveted views of the waterfall.
9. Raven Rock Trail
Raven Rock Road, Lillington, North Carolina, USA
Youtube / Jeff Davidson33
This centrally-located hike is at the gorgeous Raven Rock State Park. Between Sanford and Lillington, it's a great day trip for those in the Piedmont or Triangle. The 2.6-mile trail takes you to a stone vista offering stunning views of the Cape Fear River.
10. Hickory Nut Falls
Hickory Nut Falls, North Carolina 28746, USA
Flickr / Brian Leon
While you'll want to do plenty of exploring at Chimney Rock State Park, save some energy for the 1.5-mile hike to Hickory Nut Falls. This breathtaking waterfall falls a total of 404-feet.

How beautiful are those hikes? They are perfect for a quick adventure or accompaniment to a weekend-long outing. Which hikes have you done before? Any you’d add to the list? Let us know in the comments!

Speaking of short but amazing hikes, this 0.50-mile trail leads you to a beautiful mountain-fed swimming hole and is one of the best hikes in North Carolina!

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Best Hikes in North Carolina

SKS | June 03, 2022

What’s the most beautiful lake hike in North Carolina?

Lake Phelps

There are over four miles of trails at Lake Phelps, making it the most beautiful lake hike in North Carolina! At Lake Phelps, you can find The Moccasin Trail and the Bee Tree Trail. The Moccasin Trail is a 2.8-mile hike that takes you over a 350-foot boardwalk. Here, you will receive incredible views from Moccasin Overlook. The Bee Tree Trail brings you through the Lake Phelps Campgrounds and the Somerset Place Cemetery to an incredible overlook of the lake at the Bee Tree Overlook!

What is the most popular hike in North Carolina?

Lake Junaluska Trail 

Lake Junaluska Trail in Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, may be the most popular hike in the entire state! This 3.7-mile trail will take you around the entirety of Lake Junaluska, where you can admire the view of the lake, the lakefront houses, and the wildflowers blooming. This is an easy hike, which makes it popular when people are looking for a quick walk to get outside for some exercise and some fresh air!

What is the most scenic waterfall hike in North Carolina?

Linville Falls

If you are looking for the most scenic waterfall hike in North Carolina, look no further! Linville Falls takes the cake, and for a good reason — it’s one of the most beautiful places on earth. This four-mile trail isn’t the easiest trail, but the view is well worth it. From Erwin’s View, you can look out over the 90-foot tall waterfall from above! And from the base, you can get up close to see how big Linville Falls really is! In the fall, the leaves change to colors of vibrant orange, red, yellow, and green, and create a breathtaking view surrounding the waterfall.

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