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North Carolina

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

Top Running Spots in and near North Carolina

  • Blowing Rock, North Carolina

    Camp and Paddle at Price Lake

    This campground is all kinds of amazing, and if you get one of the sites in the A loop, you will have lakefront property (just be warned, if I see you there, I'll have to crash with you ;-). Price Lake is a gorgeous lake right off the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina and perfect for canoeing...
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  • Bryson City, North Carolina

    Hike Three Waterfalls Loop

    5.0
    2.4 mi / 450 ft gain
    Start the loop by hiking the Juney Whank Falls Trail to Juney Whank Falls. The footbridge across the creek makes an excellent place to rest and take in the falls. Follow the trail across the bridge and up the bank. After about 300 feet take a right and follow Deep Creek Horse Trail towards Deep C...
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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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  • Hendersonville, North Carolina

    Hike along The World's Edge

    0.7 mi / 40 ft gain
    Park at the end of The World's Edge Road, but be aware that parking is very limited. There is a private residence up to the right so do not block their driveway/gate. Begin your hike by going through the leftmost gate, and continue straight until you reach the first view less than half a mile in....
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  • Hatteras, North Carolina

    Camp on Ocracoke Island, NC

    4.8
    Camping on Ocracoke is allowed at the National Park Service Ocracoke Campground. Ocracoke Island is accessible via the North Carolina Ferry System. The ferry from Cape Hatteras is free and runs all day.The campground has 136 campsites spread out over the grounds. They can accommodate RV's, camper...
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  • Morrisville, North Carolina

    Day Trip to Lake Crabtree

    5.0
    Lake Crabtree is a 215 acre park that sits right next to a 520 acre flood control lake, known as Lake Crabtree. The park is open year round and offers a plethora of different activities. Hiking trails are accessible to hikers and runners while bikes are also permitted on multi-use trails. The par...
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  • Lake Lure, North Carolina

    Boulder at Rumbling Bald

    4.5
    1.5 mi
    Located off of Boys Camp Rd. in Lake Lure, North Carolina, Rumbling Bald is a huge boulder yard that has been in use since the 1970's and has begun to flourish. Conveniently at the trail head is a gravel parking lot with three Port A Johns to use. Make sure you get to the parking lot early thou...
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  • Hendersonville, North Carolina

    Hike to the Top of Bearwallow Mountain

    5.0
    2 mi / 583 ft gain
    Once you have parked along the roadside near the trailhead, pass through the big gate on the right side of the road and take the trail off to the right. The trail winds up the mountain for a mile before it empties out onto the bald atop Bearwallow. Once on the bald, you can follow the gravel road...
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  • Todd, North Carolina

    Hike the Elk Knob Summit Trail

    5.0
    3.8 mi / 1000 ft gain
    There are no bathrooms at the trailhead, so if needed, drive a little past it to the park bathrooms on the left. Park at the summit trailhead and start your hike on the new gravel path. The trail gains 1000 ft in elevation in just under 2 miles so take your time if need be - and bring plenty of w...
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  • Sylva, North Carolina

    Hike to Cowee Bald Fire Tower

    4.4 mi / 400 ft gain
    The Cowee Bald Fire Tower is located in the Nantahala National Forest near Bryson City North Carolina. To get there you can either drive almost all the way to the top about .2 miles from the top but to get there you will need to have a 4WD or a higher clearance vehicle to cross a small stream. Ho...
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  • Cedar Mountain, North Carolina

    Hike to Fawn Lake

    1 mi / 100 ft gain
    Fawn Lake sits on the backside of DuPont State Forest, about a 15 minute drive from the High Falls Parking/ Visitor Center as well as Hooker Falls parking lots. With easy access and easy terrain, this is a must see to add to the list. While sometimes the main parking lots and trails of DuPont can...
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  • Purlear, North Carolina

    Cascades Trail

    5.0
    0.86 mi / 220 ft gain
    Cascades Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Deep Gap, North Carolina.
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  • UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens, North Carolina

    Walk through The Botanical Gardens in Asheville

    0.5 mi
    Just a little under 2 miles away from downtown Asheville, NC, you'll find the beautiful Botanical Gardens. If you're looking for the perfect place to walk around, explore, and go at your own pace...look no further.  The entire wooded property is roughly 10 acres, but you can wander along the sho...
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  • Bakersville, North Carolina

    Appalachian Trail: Carvers Gap to Roan Mountain

    5.0
    6.98 mi / 1204 ft gain
    Appalachian Trail: Carvers Gap to Roan Mountain is an out-and-back trail near Bakersville, North Carolina. This trail is not too crowded, so don't be surprised if you're the only one taking in the view. Keep in mind the 1200+ foot climb along this trail if you're accustomed to hiking a longer dis...
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  • Morganton, North Carolina

    Little Table Rock Trail

    5.0
    2.73 mi / 1148 ft gain
    Little Table Rock Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Morganton, North Carolina.
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  • Raleigh, North Carolina

    Sal's Branch Trail

    5.0
    2.55 mi / 331 ft gain
    Sal's Branch Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Morrisville, North Carolina.
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