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Hot Springs, North Carolina

Looking for the best hiking in Hot Springs? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Hot Springs. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Hot Springs

  • Sylva, North Carolina

    Abandoned Cessna 414A at Waterrock Knob

    3.7
    1.72 mi / 430 ft gain
    This is an AWESOME day hike for anyone looking to get outside for a few hours and see some special views of the blue ridges, as well as check out the abandoned plane crash of a Cessna 414A that happened back in 1983. The remains of the plane are still scattered along the hillside making it a supe...
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  • Sylva, North Carolina

    Waterrock Knob Trail

    5.0
    1 mi / 407 ft gain
    The trail begins paved and quickly climbs up into a heavily forested area. Once at a 1/4 of a mile in, you will come to a nice overlook that will give you your first real good view of the surrounding mountains. The trail then continues on, though now unpaved, with great views off to your left as ...
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  • Unicoi, Tennessee

    Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower via Fire Tower Road

    5.0
    3.47 mi / 663 ft gain
    Pinnacle Mountain hosts one of the nicest fire towers on the East Coast of the United States. The fire tower is relatively new, sturdy, and has a large 360 degree viewing area at the top. The tower overlooks the Downtown Johnson City area, Elizabethton, Erwin, and the rest of the Buffalo Mountain...
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  • Montreat, North Carolina

    Hike Lookout Mountain, Montreat

    5.0
    1.1 mi / 623 ft gain
    Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains is Montreat, North Carolina. Just down the road from Asheville, it neighbors Black Mountain and doesn't disappoint for views. Montreat itself houses a plethora of hiking trails, but the cream of the crop HAS to be Lookout Mountain. After a weekend of checking o...
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  • Cherokee, North Carolina

    Mingo Falls

    4.2
    0.22 mi / 148 ft gain
    Although it is not much of a hike at just 0.3 miles, it is accessible to people of all fitness levels.  A climb up a series of stairs leads you to a trail overlooking Mingo creek.  You will then find a 20 foot wide bridge which serves as the viewing platform of the falls.   If you care to advent...
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  • Old Fort, North Carolina

    Green Knob Lookout Tower

    4.8
    0.76 mi / 292 ft gain
    Green Knob Lookout Tower is an abandoned fire tower near Mt. Mitchell and located directly off the Blue Ridge Parkway. The tower boasts a full 360-degree, unobstructed view of Mt. Mitchell, Craggy Mountains, Table Rock, Grandfather Mountain, and the Parkway. Unlike most fire towers, this tower is...
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  • Canton, North Carolina

    Shining Rock via Shining Creek Trail

    4.3
    8.69 mi / 2569 ft gain
    There are several ways to access the Shining Rock Wilderness Area, but go for the main trail head off of Hwy 276. The trail is split by the Pigeon River, providing a seemingly infinite combinations of trails and routes, keeping in mind that this area intersects often with the well known Art Lobe ...
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  • Canton, North Carolina

    Hike Big East Fork Shining Rock Loop

    4.0
    14 mi
    We began this trip by camping overnight in Graveyard Fields. Those camp sites are .5 miles from the car, so we kept our food there over night. Bear activity has increased, so it's strongly advised to bring a bear canister and be wise about food storage. We woke up early the next morning made bre...
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  • Johnson City, Tennessee

    Lone Oak to Tip Top Trail

    3.25 mi / 1253 ft gain
    Lone Oak to Tip Top Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Johnson City, Tennessee.
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  • Bryson City, North Carolina

    Kephart Prong Trail, Great Smoky Mountains NP

    5.0
    3.92 mi / 850 ft gain
    Kephart Prong is a pretty easy hike in close proximity to the Visitor Center on the North Carolina Side of GSMNP. 2 miles up the trail, you'll arrive at Kephart Shelter, where you can rest and enjoy vies of the Kephart Prong. Once you've had your fill, head back down the way you came.  During th...
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  • Unicoi, Tennessee

    Red Fork Falls Trail

    3.5
    0.68 mi / 190 ft gain
    Red Fork Falls Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Unicoi, Tennessee.
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  • Bryson City, North Carolina

    Charlies Bunion via Kephart Loop

    14.14 mi / 3671 ft gain
    Charlies Bunion via Kephart Loop is a loop trail located near Cherokee, North Carolina. This is a longer version of the Charlies Bunion hike starting from the Newfound Gap parking lot. The added benefit of this longer loop is the opportunity to see more of the Great Smokey Mountains! You'll pass ...
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  • Burnsville, North Carolina

    Roaring Fork Falls

    1.31 mi / 249 ft gain
    Park at the work center but don't block the gate. Hike around the gate and head up the grassy and gravel road. Once you get to the creek a narrow path leads upstream to the base of the falls.  gps: n35 46.101/ w82 11.713 
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  • Burnsville, North Carolina

    Roaring Fork Falls

    1.52 mi / 302 ft gain
    Roaring Fork Falls is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Burnsville, North Carolina.
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  • Johnson City, Tennessee

    Sunset Point

    5.0
    0.65 mi / 223 ft gain
    Sunset Point is an overlook located in Buffalo Mountain State Park. The trail is a short hike up along the White Rock loop trail then a short walk off the trail to get to the overlook. There is a clearing with a few benches that has wide open views to the west. The short hike up to the point shou...
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  • Johnson City, Tennessee

    Fork Knob, White Rock and The Noggin Loop

    5.0
    3.12 mi / 1220 ft gain
    The Fork Knob and White Rock Loop in Johnson City, Tennessee, is a moderately challenging hiking trail that spans approximately 3.12 miles. The trail is marked by a variety of natural features, including a prominent rock formation known as White Rock, which offers panoramic views of the surroundi...
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