Haywood County, North Carolina
Looking for the best hiking in Haywood County? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Haywood County. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Hiking Spots in and near Haywood County
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Canton, North Carolina
Camp at Mt. Pisgah
5.0The Mt. Pisgah campground is nestled right off of the Blue Ridge Parkway near Canton, NC. Since it is at an elevation of 4,980 feet the campground is a perfect destination to beat the heat and humidity that the region can be known for in the summer months. Reservations and information can be fo...Read more -
Canton, North Carolina
Climb Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower
4.51.5 miThis is an extremely easy trail with a minimal incline. The tower, built in 1941, standing 70 feet above the summit, can be nerve wracking, even for those who aren't scared of heights. However, most feel it's worth the view. Expect to see fellow hikers. On pretty days there can be a few people w...Read more -
Canton, North Carolina
Shining Rock via Shining Creek Trail
4.38.69 mi / 2569 ft gainThere are several ways to access the Shining Rock Wilderness Area, but go for the main trail head off of Hwy 276. The trail is split by the Pigeon River, providing a seemingly infinite combinations of trails and routes, keeping in mind that this area intersects often with the well known Art Lobe ...Read more -
Canton, North Carolina
Hike Big East Fork Shining Rock Loop
4.014 miWe began this trip by camping overnight in Graveyard Fields. Those camp sites are .5 miles from the car, so we kept our food there over night. Bear activity has increased, so it's strongly advised to bring a bear canister and be wise about food storage. We woke up early the next morning made bre...Read more -
Bryson City, North Carolina
Kephart Prong Trail, Great Smoky Mountains NP
5.03.92 mi / 850 ft gainKephart Prong is a pretty easy hike in close proximity to the Visitor Center on the North Carolina Side of GSMNP. 2 miles up the trail, you'll arrive at Kephart Shelter, where you can rest and enjoy vies of the Kephart Prong. Once you've had your fill, head back down the way you came. During th...Read more -
Bryson City, North Carolina
Charlies Bunion via Kephart Loop
14.14 mi / 3671 ft gainCharlies Bunion via Kephart Loop is a loop trail located near Cherokee, North Carolina. This is a longer version of the Charlies Bunion hike starting from the Newfound Gap parking lot. The added benefit of this longer loop is the opportunity to see more of the Great Smokey Mountains! You'll pass ...Read more -
138 Silver Mine Road, North Carolina
Hike the Lovers Leap Loop Trail
5.01.8 mi / 472 ft gainLovers Leap Loop trail is a 1.8 mile loop in Hot Springs, NC. The address of the trailhead is 138 Silver Mine Rd, Hot Springs, NC 28743. Once you arrive at the parking lot, you will see a trail leading up into the mountain with a post next to it. This is where you want to begin. It is part of the...Read more -
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Hike to the Ramsey Cascades
4.97.83 mi / 2190 ft gainThis multi-tiered waterfall is known as the tallest in the park – a worthwhile reward for the steep and sometimes tricky terrain you'll face on the way up. The popular route to the falls also passes through an impressive old-growth forest, which apparently boasts some of the tallest trees in the...Read more -
Canton, North Carolina
Sam Knob and Flat Laurel Creek Loop
4.93.84 mi / 807 ft gainThis is one of my favorite quick "getaway" loops in the Pisgah Ranger District. Turn onto Black Balsam Knob Road (Mile Marker 420 on the Blue Ridge Parkway) go until you reach a dead end and park at the parking lot. You'll see the Sam Knob trail to the right of the public bathrooms. From there, i...Read more -
Canton, North Carolina
Tennent Mountain
5.03 mi / 285 ft gainPark at the Lot at the end of Black Balsam road, and start your morning in the dark, down the old dirt road at the end of the lot. Take this road until you get to Ivestor Gap and make a right onto the Art Loeb, try and time it so the sun is just about to rise here. Hike or trail run The Art Loeb ...Read more -
Canton, North Carolina
Hike to Bubling Spring Falls
0.1 mi / 50 ft gainThe road to get to this waterfall is right off of NC 215 which comes right off of the Blue Ridge Parkway and is only about 3 miles away from parkway. The parking area is very small and does not offer many parking spots but since it is not that popular of an area parking is usually not a problem. ...Read more -
Haywood County, North Carolina
Black Balsam Knob via Art Loeb Trail
5.01.56 mi / 305 ft gainThe parking area for Black Balsam Knob is at mile marker 420.2 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's free to hike here. Take the Art Loeb Trail a half mile until you reach the knob. Along the way you will be walking almost entirely on the bald which is a very pleasant experience. You feel like you're ...Read more -
Asheville, North Carolina
Explore Lake Powhatan
Lake Powhatan is located just minutes away from Asheville, NC and offers a number of fun activities for you, your friends, and your family. In the warm summer months, the Lake is a popular spot for swimming. The small stretch of beach along the lake is a nice place to lay out and soak in the sun....Read more -
Canton, North Carolina
Graveyard Fields-Black Balsam Knob Circuit
4.49.83 mi / 1522 ft gainWhen the weather is in your favor, these treeless mountain tops will have your jaw on the floor with layers upon layers of Blue Ridge Mountains. This hike can be done in one day, but with panoramic views at multiple points, you'll want to take your time along this link of trails. This ~10-mile l...Read more -
Balsam Grove, North Carolina
Devil's Courthouse
4.70.85 mi / 246 ft gainThe Devil's Courthouse Overlook and Trail can be one of the best places to see the entire Blue Ridge countryside. Even though it is a short hike, there is a fairly steep incline halfway through, so be prepared to huff and puff a little. It takes anywhere from 15 to 20 minutes depending upon your ...Read more -
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Fern Branch Falls
5.03.7 mi / 700 ft gainTake Porters Creek Trail, a gravel road alongside Porters Creek. You will pass by an old farmstead and cemetery, as well as lots of wildflowers if you're out during the spring. In a mile, keep left, then in another half mile or so you should cross over a small (and somewhat harrowing) footbridge...Read more