The Best Easy Hikes in Western North Carolina

Hikes by Difficulty: Easy | Moderate | More Difficult | Most Difficult | All

This page includes all Easy hikes.

Each hike has its own printable guide page with all the information and links, including (where available):

• directions to the starting point
• length
• difficulty
• elevation change
• an interactive topo map
• photos from along the way
• a detailed description and trail directions, and
• a place to leave comments about your experiences

Easy Hikes

Camp Alice/Commissary Hike

• This is a high-elevation hike that, while providing the same storied Black Mountains scenery, is both easier and less often used than some of the park's other trails, offering a chance for silence and solitude. Trees and meadows with a decidedly...
• 2.0 - 3.6mi, Climbs Gently
• Tread Condition: Few Obstacles

Craggy Gardens Hike

• This self-guiding nature trail passes through a high-elevation Northern Hardwood forest to a Heath Bald, and finally into a Grassy Summit. A large trail shelter makes an excellent spot for a picnic. Visit during mid to late June for a spectacular...
• 1.4mi, Climbs Moderately
• Tread Condition: Some Obstacles

Dupont Waterfalls and Lakes Tour Hike

• On this hike, you'll visit up to 5 of the 6 major waterfalls and 3 of the beautiful lakes in Dupont State Forest. It starts as an easy path to some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the area: Hooker, Triple, and High Falls. Covered picnic...
• 0.75 - 10.0mi, Climbs Moderately
• Tread Condition: Some Obstacles

Great Woodland Adventure Hike

• Winding through the woods below Chimney Rock is the Great Woodland Adventure trail, a Kids In Parks TRACK Trail which aims to engage kids in learning about all that can be found in the forest. A perfect introductory hike for families with small...
• 0.6mi, Climbs Gently
• Tread Condition: Graveled

Hickory Nut Falls Hike

• This moderate hike takes you out-and-back through a vibrant forest to the base of Hickory Nut Falls. This is a very high and neat waterfall. You'll travel along the base of the cliffs that form the edge of the Hickory Nut Gorge and the Falls. Trees...
• 1.5mi, Climbs Gently
• Tread Condition: Some Obstacles

Licklog Hike

• This is an easy, scenic hike with a silly name making it kid-friendly! It consists of a pleasant walk along a rolling, grassy forest road ending in three wildlife meadows. Along the way, you'll enjoy a beautiful, varied forest with conifers normally...
• 1.8mi, Climbs Gently
• Tread Condition: Few Obstacles

Moore Cove Falls Hike

• This showery plunging waterfall is located in one of the most popular areas of the Pisgah National Forest, near the Davidson River in the "Land of Waterfalls". It's a delightful, beautiful walk thru fern-filled woods. And it's easy enough for...
• 1.4mi, Climbs Gently
• Tread Condition: Few Obstacles

Ridgewalk Hike

• Following the mostly level upper portion of the Bennet Gap trail, this is an easy hike along a ridge to some great views. It's one of the easiest true hikes into the kind of neat environment typical of a rugged Appalachian ridgetop that we could...
• 1.4mi, Few Hills
• Tread Condition: Some Obstacles

Toms Creek Falls Hike

• This easy hike is excellent for families and children, with a reward at the end that everyone will look forward to. It's short enough that adults who have to carry tired kids won't be too worn out at the end to enjoy it themselves. The waterfall...
• 0.8mi, Climbs Gently
• Tread Condition: Graveled