North Carolina

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Find things to do, unique places to stay, and local adventure tours in adventurous destinations like Asheville, the Great Smoky Mountains, Nantahala, and more.

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Paradise Falls

Tuckasegee, North Carolina

4.3

1.5 mi

To the north of Panthertown lies a chain of dammed lakes that are some of the most peaceful waters in Western North Carolina. These make up the headwaters of the East Fork of the Tuckasegee River. The gorges that run between the top lakes are wild, scenic, and adventurous to even the most experienced hiker and/or canyoneer. Paradise Falls lies deep within the narrow and winding ravine below Wo...

Sam Knob and Flat Laurel Creek Loop

Canton, North Carolina

4.9

3.84 mi / 807 ft gain

This is one of my favorite quick "getaway" loops in the Pisgah Ranger District. Turn onto Black Balsam Knob Road (Mile Marker 420 on the Blue Ridge Parkway) go until you reach a dead end and park at the parking lot. You'll see the Sam Knob trail to the right of the public bathrooms. From there, it's 1.8 miles to the summit of the 6050 foot Sam Knob. I love setting up camp in the middle or clos...

Catawba Falls

Old Fort, North Carolina

4.8

2.19 mi / 394 ft gain

Please note, Catawba Falls is temporarily closed. You can learn more about updates at www.fs.usda.gov. This quick and relatively easy hike is located close to Asheville, NC. If you're looking to have the trail to yourself, it can be a little tough. It's best to get there as early as possible or on a weekday if you can swing it. As you head out on the trail, the elevation gain is very gradual,...

Grassy Ridge Bald in the Roan Highlands

Bakersville, North Carolina

5.0

4.84 mi / 932 ft gain

Once you've parked at Carver's Gap (5500'), the trailhead is pretty easy to find. Simply cross the highway and jump onto the Appalachian Trail, right on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. Head north on the AT as you head through the Roan Mountain Balds. In the very beginning of the hike, you'll pass through a forest until you reach the Balds, which are wide open, allowing for amazing v...

Looking Glass Falls

Brevard, North Carolina

4.3

Looking Glass Rock located along the Blue Ridge Parkway (North) is one of the largest masses of granite in the Eastern US. It got it's name for the way the sunlight hits its rocky surface when wet, creating a shimmering, reflective, mirror-like effect. The views from this overlook are vast and clear, unhindered by trees that may block parts of other scenic overlooks along the parkway. This is ...

Clingmans Dome

Bryson City, North Carolina

4.4

1.23 mi

The drive to Clingmans Dome is miles of scenic overlooks that provide endless views of ridges and valleys. Clingmans Dome Road comes to a parking lot from which you follow a .5 mile paved trail to the summit. There are also several trails that start on Clingmans Dome Road. Most notably The Appalachian Trail, which crosses Clingmans Dome, making it the highest point on the whole trail. Turn of...

Green Knob via MST

Canton, North Carolina

4.0

9.08 mi / 1368 ft gain

Although not as popular as neighboring Shining Rock Wilderness, the Middle Prong Wilderness is equally as beautiful and typically half as crowded. This hike, mostly along the Mountain to Sea trail, leads through forests of oak, birch, spruce and fir trees, along a babbling brook, past waterfalls, and onto an expansive summit meadow. For those in Asheville looking to escape to some solitude, the...

Art Loeb Trail

Brevard, North Carolina

4.8

30.07 mi / 7467 ft gain

Start at The Davidson River Campground just outside of Brevard, NC (276 Pisgah Ranger District). Have a shuttle car or a friend waiting at the Daniel Boone Boy Scout camp for the finish line. Hop on the 30.1 mile long Art Loeb Trail at the trailhead in the Davidson River Campground. Pull into the campground and make an immediate left into the Art Loeb Trail parking lot. You'll begin the hike o...

Looking Glass Rock

Brevard, North Carolina

4.5

5.43 mi / 1572 ft gain

This is a really nice, moderately difficult hike along a cascading creek, up switchbacks, and through wildflower fields. A couple miles in, you'll reach a helipad that is used for rescuing injured rock climbers - Looking Glass Rock is a popular destination for world class climbing. There is a small trail leading away from the helipad with nice views of the lower cliffs. Continue past the helip...

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