Hiking trails in North Carolina
16 trails across 3 state parks, national forests, and recreation areas — filtered by difficulty.
Hiking trails in North Carolina span every kind of public land the state has to offer — state parks, national forests, recreation areas, county preserves, and a few NPS units. Trail Compass currently lists 16 trails across 3 parks in North Carolina, organised by difficulty so you can land on the right route in a few clicks.
Browse by difficulty using the four filter cards directly below, or scroll to the full state trail table. Easy and moderate routes dominate near the population centers; hard and expert routes cluster in the higher, more remote corners of the Appalachian highlands and Blue Ridge.
Best hiking season across North Carolina is generally April through early November; mid-October peak foliage draws large crowds, especially on weekends. Shorter walks at lower elevations stay accessible longer than alpine routes — if you are hiking in a shoulder month, lean toward state-park trails near urban centers and save the high country for peak season.
Expect to share the trail with white-tailed deer, black bears in the higher hollows, wild turkeys, pileated woodpeckers, and salamander species found nowhere else on earth. Carry bear spray where signage advises it, store food properly, and remember that the wildlife was here first.
Pick a difficulty tier from the filter cards below, or jump straight to a specific park.