It can be difficult with small children to choose a hike in North Carolina that’s safe for the entire family and not so long that you end up carrying the smallest members of the pack for most of the journey. Below are seven kid-friendly trails where everyone can enjoy the trek, get some exercise, and see the sights! And to top it off, they are some of the best hikes in North Carolina. Let’s go!
- Mount Mitchell Summit Trail - Burnsville
alltrails/Mike Dee Drive your car all the way to the top of the mountain, yet still be at the base of the summit of North Carolina’s highest peak. From the parking area and visitor center, it’s a mere .04 mile to reach the summit. The views from up here are phenomenal on a clear day! It’s one of the most scenic hikes in North Carolina. Learn more about Mount Mitchell Summit Trail, then go give it a try. Mount Mitchell Summit Trail, North Carolina 28714, USA
- Cloudland Trail - Roan Mountain
©Robin Jarvis Head to the North Carolina/Tennessee Border at Carvers Gap and then take the small service road all the way to the top of the mountain to access the Cloudland Trail. You can enter the trail at various points, the shortest hike of which is a mere .05 mile to the pinnacle where the views seem to go on forever. Kids love this hike, there is much to see and do in the moss-covered forest along the way. It’s truly one of the most kid-friendly hikes around North Carolina. Read more about Cloudland Trail and plan your next visit there. Cloudland Drive, Cloudland Dr, Roan Mountain, TN 37687, USA
- Duggers Falls Creek Trail - Linville Gorge Wilderness, near Newland
alltrails/Penny Longhurst While some of the hikes around Linville Falls can be a bit more lengthy (and challenging), this short 0.4 mile trek from the parking area is a fun excursion with the kids and features a cute little waterfall seen from a bridge. It’s a one of the coolest easy hikes in North Carolina. Learn more about Duggers Falls Creek Trail, then take the whole family there for a hike. Linville Gorge Wilderness, Marion, NC 28752, USA
- Pisgah Covered Bridge Loop Trail - Asheboro
alltrails/Bill Blake Hike to one of only two remaining covered bridges in the entire state on this short 0.2 mile loop trail near Asheboro. If the distance is too short, then hike it twice to tire the kiddos out. Bring a picnic and enjoy the scenery! It’s one of the best hikes in North Carolina for small kids. Learn more about the Pisgah Covered Bridge Loop Trail and then pencil in your next visit. The trail begins at 6875 Pisgah Covered Bridge Rd, Asheboro, NC 27205. 6875 Pisgah Covered Bridge Rd, Asheboro, NC 27205, USA
- Cascades Trail - West Jefferson
alltrails/Bill Watson At only 0.7 mile (on a loop), the Cascades Trail provides some short-lived high adventure with creek crossings on fairytale footbridges, some enchanting stairways, and more as the trail winds along a creek and features more than one cascading waterfall. The trail can be a little rugged and it can get muddy after a hard rain. Learn more about Cascades Trail , including where to intercept the trailhead, then head on over. West Jefferson, NC 28694, USA
- Craggy Pinnacle Trail - Blue Ridge Parkway, MP 364.4
alltrails/Scott Densmore The view from the overlook on this trail is amazing; however, getting up there is a steady uphill climb for half a mile. Prepare for stepping over some roots and navigating some rock steps. It’s a well-traveled trail so expect the share the path! Learn more about Craggy Pinnacle Trail to see if it’s right for your family.
- Toms Creek Falls - near Marion
alltrails/Amy Thompson A short 0.8 mile hike (round trip), the trail to Toms Creek Falls is smattered with wildflowers in the spring. The trail is well-marked and well-traveled. It ends up at the base of Toms Creek Falls. Another trail that’s more dangerous leads to the top of the falls, but is not recommended for the kiddos. Check out this map for directions to the Toms Creek Falls’ trailhead. Toms Creek Falls Trail, 1250 Huskins Branch Rd, Marion, NC 28752, USA
These are some of the best hikes in North Carolina for families with small kids. Want some trails that are a bit longer, but still easy enough for the family to enjoy? Keep reading here!
alltrails/Mike Dee
Drive your car all the way to the top of the mountain, yet still be at the base of the summit of North Carolina’s highest peak. From the parking area and visitor center, it’s a mere .04 mile to reach the summit. The views from up here are phenomenal on a clear day! It’s one of the most scenic hikes in North Carolina. Learn more about Mount Mitchell Summit Trail, then go give it a try.
Mount Mitchell Summit Trail, North Carolina 28714, USA
©Robin Jarvis
Head to the North Carolina/Tennessee Border at Carvers Gap and then take the small service road all the way to the top of the mountain to access the Cloudland Trail. You can enter the trail at various points, the shortest hike of which is a mere .05 mile to the pinnacle where the views seem to go on forever. Kids love this hike, there is much to see and do in the moss-covered forest along the way. It’s truly one of the most kid-friendly hikes around North Carolina. Read more about Cloudland Trail and plan your next visit there.
Cloudland Drive, Cloudland Dr, Roan Mountain, TN 37687, USA
alltrails/Penny Longhurst
While some of the hikes around Linville Falls can be a bit more lengthy (and challenging), this short 0.4 mile trek from the parking area is a fun excursion with the kids and features a cute little waterfall seen from a bridge. It’s a one of the coolest easy hikes in North Carolina. Learn more about Duggers Falls Creek Trail, then take the whole family there for a hike.
Linville Gorge Wilderness, Marion, NC 28752, USA
alltrails/Bill Blake
Hike to one of only two remaining covered bridges in the entire state on this short 0.2 mile loop trail near Asheboro. If the distance is too short, then hike it twice to tire the kiddos out. Bring a picnic and enjoy the scenery! It’s one of the best hikes in North Carolina for small kids. Learn more about the Pisgah Covered Bridge Loop Trail and then pencil in your next visit. The trail begins at 6875 Pisgah Covered Bridge Rd, Asheboro, NC 27205.
6875 Pisgah Covered Bridge Rd, Asheboro, NC 27205, USA
alltrails/Bill Watson
At only 0.7 mile (on a loop), the Cascades Trail provides some short-lived high adventure with creek crossings on fairytale footbridges, some enchanting stairways, and more as the trail winds along a creek and features more than one cascading waterfall. The trail can be a little rugged and it can get muddy after a hard rain. Learn more about Cascades Trail , including where to intercept the trailhead, then head on over.
West Jefferson, NC 28694, USA
alltrails/Scott Densmore
The view from the overlook on this trail is amazing; however, getting up there is a steady uphill climb for half a mile. Prepare for stepping over some roots and navigating some rock steps. It’s a well-traveled trail so expect the share the path! Learn more about Craggy Pinnacle Trail to see if it’s right for your family.
alltrails/Amy Thompson
A short 0.8 mile hike (round trip), the trail to Toms Creek Falls is smattered with wildflowers in the spring. The trail is well-marked and well-traveled. It ends up at the base of Toms Creek Falls. Another trail that’s more dangerous leads to the top of the falls, but is not recommended for the kiddos. Check out this map for directions to the Toms Creek Falls’ trailhead.
Toms Creek Falls Trail, 1250 Huskins Branch Rd, Marion, NC 28752, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
best hikes in North Carolina April 05, 2022 Jessica Bohl What are some scenic hikes in North Carolina? There are so many fantastic hikes with amazing scenery that it is hard to narrow it down to a few. A very popular trail is the 2.5 mile hike at Whiteside Mountain. There, a 700-foot cliff will knock your socks off, so be sure to bring your camera. For waterfall lovers, be sure to check out Crabtree Falls. The 2.5 mile trail is not super long, but can be a bit strenuous, so be prepared with proper gear and lots of water. Beach hikes abound in North Carolina, and the Sugarloaf Dune Trail at Carolina Beach State Park is a lovely 2.8 mile hike that you will surely come back to time and time again. These three hikes will get you started, but read about some other amazing scenic hikes in North Carolina and add them to your list. What are some difficult hikes in North Carolina? For experienced hikers looking for more of a challenge, be sure to look into the Grandfather Mountain Trail, which takes you to the summit of the 5,956 foot Grandfather Mountain. The trail is incredibly difficult, and involves ladders, cables, and scaling rocks and cliffs. So do not attempt this hike if you are a beginner. But if you have experience and are a thrill seeker, this may be the perfect trail for you. Read more about the challenging Grandfather Mountain Trail and see if it should go on your list.
The OIYS Visitor Center
best hikes in North Carolina
April 05, 2022
Jessica Bohl
What are some scenic hikes in North Carolina? There are so many fantastic hikes with amazing scenery that it is hard to narrow it down to a few. A very popular trail is the 2.5 mile hike at Whiteside Mountain. There, a 700-foot cliff will knock your socks off, so be sure to bring your camera. For waterfall lovers, be sure to check out Crabtree Falls. The 2.5 mile trail is not super long, but can be a bit strenuous, so be prepared with proper gear and lots of water. Beach hikes abound in North Carolina, and the Sugarloaf Dune Trail at Carolina Beach State Park is a lovely 2.8 mile hike that you will surely come back to time and time again. These three hikes will get you started, but read about some other amazing scenic hikes in North Carolina and add them to your list. What are some difficult hikes in North Carolina? For experienced hikers looking for more of a challenge, be sure to look into the Grandfather Mountain Trail, which takes you to the summit of the 5,956 foot Grandfather Mountain. The trail is incredibly difficult, and involves ladders, cables, and scaling rocks and cliffs. So do not attempt this hike if you are a beginner. But if you have experience and are a thrill seeker, this may be the perfect trail for you. Read more about the challenging Grandfather Mountain Trail and see if it should go on your list.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
There are so many fantastic hikes with amazing scenery that it is hard to narrow it down to a few. A very popular trail is the 2.5 mile hike at Whiteside Mountain. There, a 700-foot cliff will knock your socks off, so be sure to bring your camera. For waterfall lovers, be sure to check out Crabtree Falls. The 2.5 mile trail is not super long, but can be a bit strenuous, so be prepared with proper gear and lots of water. Beach hikes abound in North Carolina, and the Sugarloaf Dune Trail at Carolina Beach State Park is a lovely 2.8 mile hike that you will surely come back to time and time again. These three hikes will get you started, but read about some other amazing scenic hikes in North Carolina and add them to your list.
What are some difficult hikes in North Carolina?
For experienced hikers looking for more of a challenge, be sure to look into the Grandfather Mountain Trail, which takes you to the summit of the 5,956 foot Grandfather Mountain. The trail is incredibly difficult, and involves ladders, cables, and scaling rocks and cliffs. So do not attempt this hike if you are a beginner. But if you have experience and are a thrill seeker, this may be the perfect trail for you. Read more about the challenging Grandfather Mountain Trail and see if it should go on your list.
