Chasing Peaks: The Best Hikes in North Carolina
If you’re like me, part of the reason you gravitated toward attending a university in North Carolina was because of the surrounding landscape. The Carolinas are home to many different ecosystems that offer so much natural beauty to the environment─it’s almost unbelievable. For many of us, it’s a slower pace than what we’re used to, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes I crave the hustle and bustle of a city to inspire and motivate me, and other times, I turn to nature to cleanse and rejuvenate.
Take us where the mountains meet the sky. Or here—that works, too! Photo by Claudia Hedrick.
With a plethora of breathtaking outdoor activities so close to Elon’s campus, it’s not surprising that the weekends are filled with hikes and outdoor excursions for university students─a hike to Hanging Rock or a trek up Grandfather Mountain seem to be some of the biggest crowd-pleasers.
While both of these hiking spots are beautiful, the options are not limited to these two. According to the app AllTrails, these are just a few of the many incredible hiking trails in North Carolina. And to make things easier, we’ve compiled a list of the most desirable ones for you and your next outdoor excursion.
Looking Glass Rock Trail, Pisgah National Forest.
To start off the list, this trail, located in the Brevard area, offers breathtaking views from an elevation of 1,700 feet. You have to be willing to work for it, though, as the hike itself is considered strenuous. Round trip, the hike is 6.5 miles and consists of many switchbacks, or parts of trails that zig-zag. You can expect to be hiking for around four to five hours, depending on your pace. It’s conveniently located only a mile from John Rock Trail, which is just shy of Looking Glass in distance, coming in at 5 miles. And, just like Looking Glass, panoramic views await journeyers at the top of John Rock.
Rainbow Falls, Gorges State Park.
The moderately difficult hike leading up to Rainbow Falls is absolutely stunning. The waterfall is surrounded by a meadow full of wildflowers and lush greenery. Standing tall at about 150 feet, Rainbow falls fearlessly cascades into a lagoon filled with many boulders. When it catches the light at the right angle, the mist that wafts from the cascading water forms a beautiful rainbow, leaving hikers nearly speechless. It’s part of Gorges State Park, which receives over 80 inches of rainfall each year, classifying it as a temperate rainforest. The hike also follows the river’s banks, and the calming sounds of nature are amplified throughout.
Catawba Falls Trail, Pisgah National Forest.
For those seeking a more relaxed trail with the opportunity to take in all the nature without feeling winded, Catawba Falls is a fantastic option. The trail is a quick 2.1 miles out-and-back loop trail located east of Asheville, near Old Fort. It’s low-effort and rewards you with beautiful scenery. Once you reach the waterfall, there are massive boulders that serve as the perfect spot to set up camp for a magical afternoon.
Clingmans Dome Observation Tower Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Clingmans Dome Observation Tower Trail is the perfect place to gaze at the Great Smoky Mountains. Sitting at 6,643 feet, this trail is the highest point in the national park and is situated just east of the Tennessee state line. It’s a seven mile journey to the end of Clingmans Dome Road, with many scenic pull-off roads overlooking the valleys and ridges found along the way. At the top, there is a parking lot that requires just shy of a mile’s walk to reach the observation tower. While the trail to the summit is, perhaps, the most popular, there are many other paths to explore as well.
Grassy Ridge Bald via Appalachian Trail.
This particular spot is located on Roan Mountain and includes three peaks: Round Bald, Jane Bald and Grassy Ridge Bald. The bald area spans roughly seven miles and is wide open and adorned with an abundance of azaleas and other wildflowers. Gray’s Lilies, which are indigenous to the area, can be spotted here too! If the skies are blue, you can see Grandfather, Beech and Sugar Mountains from the peak. This trail is a little over 4.5 miles but is simple and well worth it.
These are just a few of the hundreds of breathtaking trails in North Carolina. Taking time to explore does wonders─not only for your physical health, but for your mental wellbeing, too. When we take time to connect with nature and ground ourselves, there is no limit to what we can accomplish. Nature is the world’s art, and we’d be remiss not to revel in its beauty.
Featured image taken by Claudia Hedrick