The only true coastal forest in the East is located along the North Carolina coast. It’s bordered by water on three sides and includes a segment of the challenging North Carolina Mountains To Sea Trail, a statewide hike that encompasses nearly 1200 miles. A segment of the trail is located in the Croatan National Forest and is one of the most unique hikes in all of North Carolina. Take a look:

The northern section of the Neusiok Trail in the Croatan is 22 miles long and has some of the most extensive boardwalk of any trail in the state.
alltrails/Edbo Genet
alltrails/Justin Justin Grammer
It's quite impressive in this water-logged region that the boardwalk sections are still in place, but you'll be thankful for those, especially in the bogs and swamps through which the trail traverses.
alltrails/Justin Justin Grammer
alltrails/Carlos Moon
The hike includes both challenges and rewards, including the obvious need to backpack necessary provisions in for an overnight's stay. Part of the trail follows a sandy forest beach long the river where, on a good day, you'll be rewarded with a swift ocean breeze from the nearby Atlantic.
alltrails/Mike Alvarado

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alltrails/jenny Linch
You'll probably want to avoid this hike during the wet and rainy season. Not all of the trail is elevated or covered in boardwalk and if you go after (or during) a rain you could end up mucking through water in places.
alltrails/Justin P
alltrails/Justin P
The Northern Neusiok Trail has shelter available in at least a couple of overnight camps. The shelters are on a first-come, first-served basis, but most people are willing to share the sparse accommodations.
alltrails/All Trails User
alltrails/Clint O
Can't make the entire trip at one time? You can pick up the trail at a few different points along the way and tackle the challenge in segments. Get the location of various entry points from the following map located at this link.
alltrails.com
Have you already conquered the most unique boardwalk trail in North Carolina? We'd love to know and to see your photos in our Facebook remarks section!

More information about the entire 69.1-mile Neusiok Trail & Cedar Island segment of the Mountains to Sea Trail can be found on the official website of the Friends of the Mountain to Sea Trail. This segment of the trail is open year-round.

Think you’re ready for the entire Mountains to Sea trail? Get the scoop in this previous article.

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