Hiking in North Carolina and Where to Stay

No trip to North Carolina would be complete without hiking the tranquil, rugged terrain. And given the raw beauty of North Carolina’s lush landscape, hiking trails and other enchanting outdoor experiences can be found around every corner. Particularly, North Carolina’s many national parks and forests offer truly immersing adventures in the great outdoors. So, if you’re looking to go hiking in North Carolina, as well as need a place to call homebase, this blog is for you.

Guide to Hiking in North Carolina Mountains

Again, if you’re looking to go hiking in North Carolina, national parks and forests are the best place to start. In fact, North Carolina is home to nine national parks and four national forests in total. And each is as beautiful as the next. The Great Smoky Mountains, a subrange of the Blue Range Mountains, grace North Carolina with rolling, vibrant green peaks, attracting millions of visitors each year to explore its alluring terrain. Though the summer and fall months are particularly popular months to access the area, winter and spring remain beautiful as well. Now, let’s dive into three spectacular locations to choose from when hiking in North Carolina.

Nantahala National Forest

First off is the Nantahala National Forest, which is the largest of North Carolina’s national forests at 531,148 acres. Nantahala is known to be a particularly wet region, the second most in the country, in fact. Thus, it is home to countless waterfalls, whitewater rafting opportunities, and other outdoor recreation any adventurous hiker will love.

Nantahala is a Cherokee word, translating to “land of the noonday sun,” and refers to the how sunlight only reaches the forest floor around noon. This provides hikers with a moody yet charming ambience as they hike, bike, or horseback ride their portion of over 600 miles of nature trails. From towering rock cliffs to rushing waterfalls, this pine forest has great variety in its landscape, including the 411-foot-high Whitewater Falls.

Yet, there is a nature trail for every kind of experience level at Nantahala National Forest, making taking a day hike with the family or a tricky solo expedition a breeze. Easy hikes include the Craggy Gardens Hike and the Dupont Waterfalls and Lakes Hike. Moderate to more difficult hikes include the Glen Falls Hike and the Graybeard Mountain Hike.

Pisgah National Forest

Next on the list for hiking in North Carolina is the Pisgah National Forest near the Blue Ridge Parkway, a renowned scenic drive, and Asheville. This forest encompasses over 500,000 acres of dense hardwood forests, unforgiving mountain peaks, and rushing whitewater rivers and waterfalls. So, it’s only natural that hundreds of miles of trails grace the area.

What’s more, the Pisgah National Forest houses a wealth of natural wonders, accessed through many a trailhead of ranging difficulty. The 60-foot Sliding Rock Natural Waterslide is on the Forest Heritage Scenic Byway, as is Looking Glass Falls and Looking Glass Rock. Hiking to the top of Looking Glass Rock reveals 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape that you won’t want to miss.

Of course, there are plenty outdoor recreation opportunities besides hiking (though, hiking is involved in quite a few). Visitors of the Pisgah National Forest also enjoy stunning picnicking locations, mountain biking, fishing, and rock climbing.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Last but not least is the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, America’s most-visited national park. This enchanting national park straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, and hikers flock to it every season of the year. Spring is marked by blossoming wildflowers, while fall brings a vibrant autumn palette and a crispness to the air. But year round, even with snow on the ground, outdoor activity abounds.

This state park contains a small portion of the Appalachian Trail, around 74 miles of scenic beauty. However, the entirety of the park features around 850 miles of unpaved and paved trail, revealing ancient mountains, roaring rivers, and woods of hardwood, spruce-fir, and hemlock.

Hiking in North Carolina’s portion of the Smokies National Park immerses you in rugged beauty amidst the native flora and fauna. Yet, there are a variety of trails that are ideal for both the experienced and inexperienced hikers. Popular destination hikes include the Alum Cave Bluffs, Rainbow Falls, and Chimney Tops Overlook. Visitors to the park also often rock climb, camp, and birdwatch to complete the ultimate Smoky Mountain experience.

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Check out these top six locations for your next mountain escape.

Where to Stay When Hiking in North Carolina

Now, deciding where to stay during your North Carolina retreat is just as important as choosing where to hike. We’ve selected two top boutique outdoor hotels that add a unique touch to your nature-focused getaway. They are the Historic Tapoco Lodge and Huffman Creek Retreat.

Both of these lodgings bring you just minutes from the Nantahala National Forest and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. However, the Pisgah National Forest is a little over three hours from these hotels. So, a fun day trip down the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway is required. Yet, this expressway is a truly captivating drive filled with scenic views. But most importantly, these lodgings offer on-site hiking in North Carolina. So, you don’t even have to leave the property for adventure.

Tapoco Lodge

The Historic Tapoco Lodge in Robbinsville was built in 1930 and has since been renovated to provide nature enthusiasts with a remarkable place to call home during their North Carolina adventures. This picturesque lodging is also settled along the banks of a peaceful portion the Cheoah River. With 120 acres of property, guests of Tapoco Lodge love to explore the lush wooded grounds using the eleven groomed nature trails on-site.

During your stay, you’ll enjoy sipping wine while lounging around the riverbank fire pits. Moreover, dining is on-site at the Tapoco Tavern and The Cheoah Dining Room, overlooking the rushing river. Relax after a day of hiking in North Carolina at the Mountain Spa at Tapoco Lodge, featuring massages and hydrotherapy. You’ll also find a tennis courts and plenty of indoor and outdoor nooks for lounging and enjoying the tranquil ambience on-site.

Rest easy with Lodge Suites, sleeping two to four, Lodge Rooms, sleeping two, or Cabins, sleeping two to six. Each accommodation exudes a rustic elegance, with plush furnishings and scenic views of the landscape outside. Moreover, larger parties who book Cabin rooms enjoy features like private porches, hot tubs, and full kitchens.

Huffman Creek Retreat

This next one-of-a-kind lodging is also in rugged Robbinsville, North Carolina. The Huffman Creek Retreat offers seven cabin rentals along a burbling creek. This sets the perfect mood for your hiking in North Carolina expedition. With miles of private hiking trails, quaint creekside hammocks, and nights spent beside the crackling fire pit, few nature escapes can compare to Huffman Creek Retreat.

These seven cabins are the quintessential mountainside lodgings. They’re decorated with rustic antiques, charming trinkets, and all-around Southern decor in a secluded section of a 700-acre forested property. These charming cabins sleep as few as three and as many as fourteen. Not to mention, they are pet-friendly, so Fido can come along on the adventure.

Cabins feature outdoor amenities such as fire pits, charcoal grills, covered porches, and streamside hammocks, as well as access to the hiking trails on-site. And indoors, many cabins feature full kitchens, private bathrooms, board games, fireplaces, pool tables, and more. During you’re stay, you’ll also have access to private native trout creeks, three on-site waterfalls, firewood and grocery delivery, and, of course, s’mores kits. What else could you desire from a mountain getaway?

Go Hiking in North Carolina with Nook Outdoors

At Nook Outdoors, we believe in the beauty of experiencing the great outdoors without sacrificing the luxury of modern amenities. The collection of outdoor properties we represent immerse you in North America’s most enchanting outdoor destinations. So, whether you’re hiking in North Carolina, glamping in Texas Hill Country, or exploring the Catskills of New York at a boutique hotel, you’ll never have to forgo comfort.