Explore A Maritime Forest, An Abandoned Cemetery, And A Secluded Beach On This North Carolina Hike
Situated on the sound side of the Outer Banks in Kill Devil Hills, the 1,000 acres of protected maritime forest found in the Nags Head Woods Preserve is a true delight to explore on foot. In all, four trails grace this ecological preserve for a total of seven miles visitors can amble through on foot.
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You could spend all day exploring the preserve and admiring all there is to appreciate, including the maritime forest surround, beaches, an old cemetery, opaque kelly green wetlands, and the many trails that fork through the preserve.
With hardscape throughout, and at only 0.4-miles in length, it actually jumps right into the thick of the forest cover quickly and offers a wonderfully immersive experience for all. Park your car at the main parking area for Nags Head Woods Preserve (701 W Ocean Acres Drive, Kill Devil Hills).
The longest trail in the preserve, the Sweetgum Swamp to Blueberry Ridge Trail, is 3.4 miles in length and includes some stairs and an elevation change of 204 feet.
When we head to the Outer Banks, the tendency is to focus our attentions on the ocean side of the landscape, but Nags Head Woods Preserve is a fine example of the hidden gems found along the sounds as well.
Have you discovered Nags Head Woods Preserve yet? What’d you think? Let us know in the comments! Learn more about Nags Head Woods from the Kill Devil Hills website. Find out more about the trails from our friends at AllTrails.com!
Robin Jarvis is a travel writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. She's lived in the Carolinas for nearly three decades and currently resides in Charleston. When she's not working, she loves to cook with friends and check out new adventures. General questions and FAM tours: [email protected]
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