The Best Moderate Hikes in Western North Carolina
Hikes by Difficulty: Easy | Moderate | More Difficult | Most Difficult | All
This page includes all hikes rated Moderate in difficulty.
A hike rated Moderate has some climbs and descents with a few obstacles on the trail surface. It may contain water crossing that are not overly difficult and occasional exposure to drop-offs beside the trail that aren't too risky. Most people with some experience hiking including older children should be able to complete these.
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
Moderate Hikes
Cove Creek and Caney Bottom Hike
Beautiful Pisgah scenery abounds on this classic loop hike, which travels past several nice waterfalls, through some flats above the Davidson River valley, and around seepage bogs and open, fern-filled woods. It's moderate overall; some of the...
4.2mi, Climbs ModeratelyTread Condition: Moderately Rough
Crabtree Falls Hike
This popular, short loop descends on a moderate path to a majestic 70 ft waterfall, which is widely touted as one of the most photogenic in the area. You'll climb steeply up the opposite ridge for a short distance, then hike a wide, smooth trail...
3mi, HillyTread Condition: Some Obstacles
Craggy Pinnacle Hike
This popular trail climbs a short distance from a Blue Ridge Parkway overlook to a high, rocky peak with commanding views of the Craggy Gardens area. Blooming rhododendrons put on a fantastic display along this trail in late June. Twisted trees grow...
1.4mi, Climbs ModeratelyTread Condition: Some Obstacles
Devil's Courthouse Hike
This hike takes you to the summit of Devil's Courthouse, a high-elevation rocky summit with a fantastic cliff-top overlook. But this isn't the usual route used by most casual tourists, which is a paved trail starting at a Parkway overlook. Rather,...
4.3mi, Climbs ModeratelyTread Condition: Moderately Rough
Douglas Falls (Lower Approach) Hike
This spectacular, 70 ft. falls is located in an old-growth forest. The lower approach to the falls is a walk on a gently sloped trail to its base. The hike is markedly changed from years past; though the hemlocks in the area are dead, you'll travel...
1mi, Climbs GentlyTread Condition: Moderately Rough
Firescald Knob Hike
Comprising one of the easier destination hikes in North Carolina's Shelton Laurel area of Pisgah National Forest (and winding into Tennessee's Cherokee National Forest as well), a portion of the Appalachian Trail near Camp Creek Bald invites day...
4.5mi, HillyTread Condition: Moderately Rough
Flat Laurel Creek Hike
This loop takes you around the headwaters basin of Flat Laurel Creek, which starts in a unique, high-elevation valley surrounded by sharp peaks, grassy balds, and cool, dark, spruce-fir forests. Its elevation is over 5300 ft at the bottom, and it...
2.5mi, Climbs GentlyTread Condition: Moderately Rough
Glen Falls Hike
This trail takes the hiker through a pleasant forest of hardwoods and pines to one of the spectacular waterfalls of the Blue Ridge Escarpment. As Overflow Creek plunges over the ledge below one of the East's highest towns, you really get two falls in...
1.1mi, Climbs SteeplyTread Condition: Moderately Rough
Graveyard Fields Hike
A unique loop trail winds through this high-elevation, flat valley. Two spurs lead to some of the most photographed and enjoyed waterfalls in the state! You'll pass through open areas, stands of Mountain Laurel and Rhododendron, and young northern...
3.2mi, HillyTread Condition: Some Obstacles
Linville Falls - Erwin's View Hike
Linville Falls has two main trails: Erwin's view and Plunge Basin. Erwin's view is the easier of the two, and stops at three main overlooks: Upper Falls, Chimney View, and the eponymous Erwin's View. This trail passes through a majestic forest of...
1.5mi, Few HillsTread Condition: Some Obstacles
Linville Falls - Plunge Basin Hike
A short but rugged trail takes you to the base of this impressive falls; the roughness is mitigated somewhat since it's short. Stare up at the gorge walls and marvel at the water churning through a narrow chasm before plunging into the deep pool at...
1.4 - 1.8mi, Climbs SteeplyTread Condition: Moderately Rough
Mount Pisgah Hike
A classic Blue Ridge Parkway hike, this trail continues onto National Forest land to climb to the summit of one of the area's most well-known peaks, which lends its name to numerous other things throughout the region. Mount Pisgah is part of the...
3mi, Climbs ModeratelyTread Condition: Moderately Rough
Pink Beds Loop Hike
This relatively flat loop hike - which features a shortcut option - is all about water. You'll see rare mountain bogs, including glimpses of some rare and endangered species of plants if you're lucky. You'll pass through a forest in transition, as...
5.1mi, Few HillsTread Condition: Some Obstacles
Potato Knob Fields Hike
A well-known area landmark, Potato Knob is a rocky, prominent peak visible from the Blue Ridge Parkway, many points in the foothills region, and along I-40. This hike takes you on a spectacular section of the Mountains to Sea Trail below the peak...
2mi, Climbs ModeratelyTread Condition: Moderately Rough
Rainbow Falls Hike
Rainbow Falls is one of the biggest and most scenic falls in the region. An excellent 3-mile round trip hike takes you there, accessible from the newly expanded Gorges State Park access area. Several more smaller falls and some more scenery are...
3.0 - 4.0mi, HillyTread Condition: Moderately Rough
Rattlesnake Lodge Hike
This pleasant hike takes you to the ruins of a historic private lodge along a section of the Mountains to Sea Trail. It's close to the City of Asheville, making it a nice option if you're in the area and don't have a lot of drive time. A...
2.8mi, Climbs ModeratelyTread Condition: Some Obstacles
Sam Knob Hike
At the top of an imposing mountain peak located at the edge of the Shining Rock Wilderness, spectacular views await! A surprisingly nice, easy trail wraps around this mountain to its grassy, partly bald summit. Hike in the late summer and enjoy a...
2.2mi, Climbs ModeratelyTread Condition: Moderately Rough
Skinny Dip Falls Hike
This moderate, short hike takes you to an appealing waterfall and swimming hole on the Yellowstone Prong of the Big East Fork of the Pigeon River. It makes a great summer swimming destination, a great way to stretch your legs if you're traveling the...
0.8mi, Climbs ModeratelyTread Condition: Moderately Rough
Skyline-Cliff Trail Hike
**Note:** This hike is currently closed, and according to the recently released Master Plan for Chimney Rock Park, it will not reopen. [Get more information here](http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/chro/trails.php)
This more difficult hike starts at...
1.5mi, Climbs ModeratelyTread Condition: Some Obstacles
Snowball Hike
Not to be confused with Hawksbill Mountain in the Linville Gorge, Hawkbill Rock is an outcrop along the ridge between Snowball and Little Snowball Mountains in the Great Craggy Mountains range which makes a great destination for a day hike. The...
2.75mi, HillyTread Condition: Moderately Rough
Summit and Rhododendron Trail Loop Hike
This mountaintop self-guiding nature trail, which is also a Kids In Parks TRACK trail, is a gem in North Carolina's northwest corner. You'll see virgin Northern Red Oak forests at an elevation near 5000 ft., as you stroll through an understory of...
1.5mi, Few HillsTread Condition: Some Obstacles
Table Rock Hike
This trail climbs steeply to the top of a knife ridge, which from afar looks flat, giving the mountain its name. Though the rugged peak won't seem much like the surface of a table when you're standing on it, the views are unparalleled and worth the...
2.0mi, Climbs ModeratelyTread Condition: Moderately Rough
Tuckasegee High Falls Hike
There's a lot of neat things to see packed into this relatively short, 0.7 mi path. Even if the trail *didn't* start at a beautiful swim-worthy mountain lake and recreation area (it does), and even if it didn't pass a beautiful 60 ft waterfall along...
1.4mi, Climbs SteeplyTread Condition: Some Obstacles
Whiteside Mountain Hike
This excellent loop, designated a National Recreation Trail, climbs to the top of Whiteside Mountain, with its spectacular 700 ft high cliff walls lofting the hiker for amazing views. Take a camera, as the cliff-top views are lined with beautiful...
2.5mi, HillyTread Condition: Moderately Rough
