I have found hiking in the North Carolina high country to be one of the most exciting experiences of my post-undergrad life. From the stunning scenery to its unique geology1 and cultural history2, I am fascinated by everything Appalachian Mountains. In this blog post, I would like to share five of my favorite summer hiking day trips in the North Carolina mountains. These hikes are arranged in order of difficulty, from moderate (e.g., the Stone Mountain Loop Trail) to strenuous (e.g., the Grandfather Trail). You can use this link to access the list of hikes in Google Maps.
In addition to documenting my weekend adventures, one of my goals in putting together this list is to make hiking in North Carolina accessible to more people. Hiking is one of the most budget-friendly activities and is, therefore, an excellent option for those looking for affordable forms of recreation. To safely hike these trails,3 which are well-marked and mostly well-maintained,4 all you likely need is water, snacks, a backpack, hiking boots, and, in the case of certain state parks, entrance fees. Most of these trails are dog-friendly: I did every hike with my eight-year-old dog, with the exception of Charlies Bunion and the Macrae Peak, where pets are not allowed.
Grassy Ridge Bald, Roan Mountain
Grassy Ridge Bald is a popular destination that sits on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. It is the first trail I decided to “seriously” hike this summer, and incidentally the easiest. This out-and-back hike starts at the Carvers Gap and follows a 2.5-mile section of the Appalachian Trail, for a total of 5 miles and an elevation gain of about 1,000 feet. The surrounding mountains are covered by rich hardwood forest and abundant rhododendrons. I recommend arriving at the Carvers Gap Trailhead early in the morning because the parking lot fill up quickly.
Stone Mountain Loop, Stone Mountain State Park
I remember the 4.5-mile Stone Mountain Loop as a trail that has it all, even on an overcast day. It offers an amazing variety of experiences, including sections that traverse the 600-foot granite dome, beautiful summit views, a waterfall, winding creeks, and a historical farmhouse. To top it all off, I also encountered a couple of raucous Red-headed Woodpeckers drumming and flying in between perches.
There are two access points to this trail: the Lower Trailhead, which is next to the historical Hutchinson Homestead, and the Upper Trailhead, which is closer to the Stone Mountain Falls. For a slow elevation climb, park at the Upper Trailhead and hike in the counterclockwise direction.
The Chimneys, Linville Gorge Wilderness Area
The Chimneys in the Linville Gorge Wilderness features, in my opinion, one of the most stunning sceneries in all of North Carolina. It is usually easily accessible via the Table Rock Summit parking lot; however, at the time of writing, the parking area is closed due to a landslide. I parked at the Hawksbill Mountain Trailhead up north and hiked to the Chimneys via the Spence Ridge Trailhead, Table Rock Gap Trail, and a short portion of the Mountain-to-Sea Trail for a total of 5.8 miles.
Safety is of the utmost concern when hiking in the Gorge. Trails are not signed or blazed inside the wilderness and can be difficult to navigate, not least due to the rugged terrain. It is, therefore, important to bring a map of the area and adequate water. Also note that the forest service road leading up to the wilderness area is unpaved and quite challenging to drive on.
Charlies Bunion, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
“Charlies Bunion” describes a rock formation named after a local Appalachian Trail supervisor, Charlie Conner, who presumably hiked the trail with worn-out shoes, and features panoramic mountain views. My friend and I hiked 8 miles roundtrip from the Newfound Gap along the Appalachian Trail, traveling through high-elevation, spruce-fir forest on a rainy Wednesday.
Calloway Peak, Grandfather Mountain State Park
The Grandfather Trail is one of the most technically challenging hikes in North Carolina and perhaps on the entire east coast. This 4.8-mile out-and-back trail follows the ridge of the Grandfather Mountain from the Top Shop Parking Area, passing through the Macrae Peak (5845 ft) and the Attic Window Peak (5880 ft), to the Calloway Peak (5946 ft). It is an incredibly fun and rewarding trail for more experienced hikers: the steepest sections of the trail require the use of in-place cables and ladders, and there is a fair amount of rock scrambling involved.
I found this trail quite strenuous and, as someone who is working on his fear of heights, nerve-racking at times, but nevertheless highly rewarding and doable with previous hiking experience. My friend and I started hiking at 10am, and it almost took us the entire day to complete the trail (it is said that even the best hikers only average about a mile per hour). More logistical detail about this trail can be found on the Grandfather Mountain website. While no special equipment is required for this trail, it is essential to bring a pair of hiking boots with solid traction. Note, also, that the Grandfather Mountain State Park charges an entrance fee of $28-32 per day for each adult during summer months.
Footnote
- For an engaging introduction to the geological history of North Carolina mountains, see Sandra Clark’s Birth of the Mountains: The Geologic Story of the South Appalachian Mountains (U.S. geological survey, U.S. Department of the Interior, 2001). ↩︎
- The Cherokees were the largest southeastern tribe by the sixteenth century. For an introduction to the social history of the Cherokees, see The Cherokee Perspective: Written by Eastern Cherokees, pp. 3-114 (Appalachian Consortium Press, 1981). ↩︎
- For hiking basics, visit this excellent blog post on understanding mileage, elevation, and routes, this post on beginner hiking gear, and this one on trail etiquette. ↩︎
- Conditions at many trails in western North Carolina have changed due to damage from Hurricane Helene. Notably, the Mount Mitchell State Park remains closed indefinitely (as of August 2025) and is thus not included in this list. ↩︎
Billy Cao 
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