When fall is in full swing in North Carolina, it means cooler temperatures and beautiful fall foliage at the height of their colors. There’s no better time to go for a hike and spend some time outdoors. The mountains of Western North Carolina are full of picturesque spots for the perfect fall hike. But, don’t count out the coastal region to the East either. All across the state, there are awesome destinations for taking in some fresh air, getting a little exercise and snapping the perfect landscape shot.
Looking Glass Rock, Brevard
One of the most popular areas to hike and explore in Western North Carolina is Looking Glass Rock. And with just one visit, you’ll see why. Looking Glass Rock Trail is just over 3 miles long and climbs 1,700 feet in elevation, offering beautiful views of the surrounding scenery, including the infamous Looking Glass Rock itself, which sits at an elevation of 3,970 feet. Although the hike is moderately difficult, it is definitely worth the effort when you take in the views from the top.
Hanging Rock State Park, Danbury
At Hanging Rock State Park, there are more than 18 miles of hiking trails that offer beautiful mountain views, as well as a few hidden treats along the way like waterfalls and caves. The most popular hike here is the mile-long trail to the Hanging Rock itself, which offers 360-degree views of the foliage from the top. But you’ll find plenty of other options here too if that trail is too busy, including Moore’s Wall, a 4.3-mile hike also offers amazing views from atop of Moore’s Knob.
Graveyard Fields (Pisgah National Forest), Canton
Just south of Asheville, Graveyard Fields is a popular spot for hikers along the Blue Ridge Parkway, thanks to its vibrant colors in the fall and two picturesque waterfalls – Lower Falls and Upper Falls. This beautiful open field of wildflowers is surrounded by backdrops of the Blue Ridge Mountains, making for amazing photo opportunities. The entire hike is a 4-mile loop, but most of it is fairly level with just a few sections that climb.
Linville Falls, Burke County
Linville Falls, also located off of the Blue Ridge Parkway (at mile marker 316.4), is one of the most photographed waterfalls in North Carolina. From the nearby Parkway Visitors Center, you can take one of two hiking trails to five different viewing spots, depending on your activity level. For a more moderate hike, you can take the Erwins View Trail, which is 1.6 miles in length (round trip) and offers four different viewpoints. Or for a more challenging hike, there’s the Linville Gorge Trail, which will take you down into the gorge and to the base of the waterfall. No matter which way you go, you’ll enjoy the relaxing sounds of the falls and get to snap some amazing photos.
Grandfather Mountain, Linville
Grandfather Mountain, located about 70 miles outside of Asheville, is another one of the state’s most popular spots for hiking, no matter what time of year. There are 11 different trails to choose from, varying from leisurely walks through the woods, all the way to rugged trails through the backcountry of Grandfather Mountain State Park. The In-Park nature trails are accessible by most visitors, while the Backcountry Trails are reserved for experienced hikers and climbers. On these challenging trails, you’ll find unique forests, wildlife and ecosystems, as well as ladders and cables to climb steep rock faces.
Bass Lake Trail, Blowing Rock
The Bass Lake Trail located in Blowing Rock is an easily accessible trail, making it a great choice for families and those who want to take a walk in nature without too much strain. This easy loop hike extends for .8 miles and circles beautiful Bass Lake, surrounded by colorful fall foliage. There are also a few options that branch off of the loop if you want to take a longer hike, including The Maze, which extends for another 3 miles.
Nags Head Ecological Preserve, Kill Devil Hills
Although you may not find the same vibrant fall foliage in Kill Devil Hills as you would in the western part of the state, you can still enjoy lots of natural beauty with a hike through the Nags Head Ecological Preserve. In fact, the combination of a maritime swamp and maritime deciduous forests that exists here can only be found in a few other places in the world. You can choose from 8 different trails to hike the woods, where you’ll see lots of wildlife, ponds, marshes, forested sand dunes and a variety of different trees, some dating back as far as 300 years old.
