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Sapphire, North Carolina

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

Top Hiking Spots in and near Sapphire

  • Sylva, North Carolina

    Pinnacle in Pinnacle Park

    5.0
    5.98 mi / 2142 ft gain
    Heading out from the parking area, head north on this challenging hike. For the majority of the hike, you'll have a pretty steady uphill charge. There are some flat parts between climbs, so be sure to catch your breath and get some water in during these times. Once you reach the fork, where you'...
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  • Clayton, Georgia

    Hike to Martin Creek Falls

    5.0
    0.6 mi
    There are two different ways to get to this waterfall.The easiest way is through a trail in the Warwoman Wildlife Management Area. To get to this trail head, drive east on Warwoman Road from Clayton, GA. At approximately 3.5 miles, take a left onto Finney Creek Road (FS 152). You will see a sign ...
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  • Greenville County, South Carolina

    Hike to Rainbow Falls and Pretty Place

    5.0
    5.96 mi / 1844 ft gain
    Jones Gap State Park in the Upstate of South Carolina is one of the most beautiful parks in the state offering a good range of moderate and challenging hiking and backpacking trails through the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. Jones Gap also provides superb primitive camping sites along the rocky...
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  • Greenville County, South Carolina

    Hike the Jones Gap Loop

    5.0
    5.5 mi / 2000 ft gain
    Start on the Jones Gap Trail (blue), which will lead you alongside the Saluda River. After 2.5 miles, take the Old Springs Branch Trail (orange) to loop back to the lot.For a challenging, more strenuous hike, with great views of the Gap, check out Rim of the Gap Trail. It is not advised to take c...
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  • Greenville County, South Carolina

    Hike the Pinnacle Pass/Rim of the Gap Loop

    11.5 mi / 2345 ft gain
    The Trailhead: Located at Jones Gap State Park in Marietta, SC of northern Greenville County. Follow the trail across an iron bridge that crosses the Middle Saluda River, and be sure to register at the Ranger’s Station/Gift Shop on the far side of the gap. The trail head(s) are located directly o...
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  • Canton, North Carolina

    Camp at Mt. Pisgah

    5.0
    The Mt. Pisgah campground is nestled right off of the Blue Ridge Parkway near Canton, NC.  Since it is at an elevation of 4,980 feet the campground is a perfect destination to beat the heat and humidity that the region can be known for in the summer months.  Reservations and information can be fo...
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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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  • Sylva, North Carolina

    Abandoned Cessna 414A at Waterrock Knob (Removed)

    3.7
    1.72 mi / 430 ft gain
    NOTE: The wreckage has now been removed. Please see the press release on NPS.gov for more details.  Ever hiked to an abandoned plane in the middle of the woods? Yeah me neither until I heard of this gem. This is an AWESOME day hike for anyone looking to get outside for a few hours and see some ...
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  • Bryson City, North Carolina

    Hike to Alarka Falls

    5.0
    1 mi / 100 ft gain
    To visit the falls, take US-74 west from Bryson City to exit 64 . Take a left at the exit and drive on Alarka Road for about 10 miles. Follow the road all the way to the end where you will find a turnaround. Don't make the mistake of following the forest service road (it is gated), as it is not ...
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  • Otto, North Carolina

    Hike to and Climb Pickens Nose

    4.8
    1.5 mi / 200 ft gain
    From the parking area (fits about 6 cars) follow the trail on the same side of the road up the ridge through dense rhododendron. Several spur trails branch off of the main trail and lead to rock outcroppings with excellent views. Getting to the parking area is slow. The narrow gravel road winds...
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  • Clayton, Georgia

    Hike the James E. Edmond trail to Lookoff Mountain Overlook

    4.0
    7.5 mi / 2378 ft gain
    Black Rock Mountain State Park is Georgia's highest elevation State Park.  It is adorned with several waterfalls, sweeping overlooks, blooming Rhododendron's, and plenty of miles of trail.  The James E. Edmond trail is the longest and by far most challenging hike in the park.  Its medium-long dis...
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  • Maggie Valley, North Carolina

    Soco Falls

    5.0
    0.09 mi / 0 ft gain
    This double waterfall is located a mile and half off of the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Cherokee Indian Reservation. From the parking area, it's a short walk down a well-established trail to the viewing area of the falls. For an even closer view of the falls, you can follow a roped, steep path dow...
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  • Easley, South Carolina

    Doodle Trail

    5.0
    7.64 mi / 358 ft gain
    Doodle Trail is a point-to-point trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Easley, South Carolina.
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  • Franklin, North Carolina

    Backpack the Standing Indian Loop on the Appalachian Trail

    24 mi
    Begins at the parking lot for the Standing Indian Campground. (No permits are needed to park here) For the first 3.7 miles, take Kimsey Creek Trail, which runs along the water, until you meet up with the AT at Deep Gap. Rolling hills and lots of foliage throughout, leading up to Standing Indian M...
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  • Franklin, North Carolina

    Nantahala National Forest via the Appalachian Trail

    4.0
    27.11 mi / 5420 ft gain
    Winding Stair Gap on Highway 64 is the starting point for this spectacular backpacking trip through the Nantahala National Forest. It's right outside the hiker friendly town of Franklin, NC, so the town is your last chance for a hot meal and any last minute supplies. There is a parking lot at the...
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  • Bureau of Indian Affairs Highway 506, North Carolina

    Barrett Knob Fire Tower

    5.0
    1.21 mi / 400 ft gain
    Your hike will start at the base of the Blue Ridge Parkway just a few miles from the start in Cherokee. The trail starts right off of the parkway in a very small easy to miss dirt road. There is a small area to park that then you start your hike up the dirt road right after the gate. The hike to ...
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