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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

  • Highlands, North Carolina

    Explore Dry Falls, North Carolina

    4.6
    0.42 mi / 95 ft gain
    Dry Falls is located off of Hwy. 64, which has been designated as the Mountain Waters Scenic Byway, and the road does not disappoint. Hwy. 64 is a two lane road which hugs the northern side of Cullasaja Gorge, which has been carved by the Cullasaja River. Besides Dry Falls, Hwy. 64 leads you past...
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  • Burnsville, North Carolina

    Mount Mitchell via the Old Mitchell Trail

    5.0
    3.74 mi / 1194 ft gain
    After arriving in the park off of the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway, park at the first parking lot you encounter on the righthand side of the road. There is a visitor's center there where you can inquire about the park and pick up a park map. Once you do that walk outside and look to the left of t...
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  • Sunset, South Carolina

    Virginia Hawkins Falls (Double Falls)

    4.0
    2.6 mi / 456 ft gain
    A moderate to advanced 2.6 mile hike has many stairs and a lot of ascents and descents along the way. The hike may not be the easiest but the payoff is worth it. The trail is easily marked so no need to worry about getting lost. 
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  • Cashiers, North Carolina

    Explore Whitewater Falls

    4.0
    0.5 mi / 100 ft gain
    Whitewater Falls is the highest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains with the upper falls alone dropping over 400 feet. The walk to the falls is very short and friendly for all ages and abilities - the path is paved so the falls are wheelchair accessible. The falls are beautiful in all seasons b...
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  • Cleveland, South Carolina

    Caesars Head Overlook

    5.0
    0.27 mi / 144 ft gain
    The Drive: Head North on SC Highway 11 "Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway" towards Table Rock State Park. Follow SC 11 past Table Rock approximately 8 miles where it will merge with SC 8 at Pumpkin Town. Follow SC 8 for another 3-4 miles until you see the intersection for SC Highway 276 on the le...
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  • Greenville County, South Carolina

    Hike the Jones Gap Loop

    5.0
    5.5 mi / 2000 ft gain
    Start on the Jones Gap Trail (blue), which will lead you alongside the Saluda River. After 2.5 miles, take the Old Springs Branch Trail (orange) to loop back to the lot.For a challenging, more strenuous hike, with great views of the Gap, check out Rim of the Gap Trail. It is not advised to take c...
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  • Greenville County, South Carolina

    Hike the Pinnacle Pass/Rim of the Gap Loop

    11.5 mi / 2345 ft gain
    The Trailhead: Located at Jones Gap State Park in Marietta, SC of northern Greenville County. Follow the trail across an iron bridge that crosses the Middle Saluda River, and be sure to register at the Ranger’s Station/Gift Shop on the far side of the gap. The trail head(s) are located directly o...
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  • Greenville County, South Carolina

    Hike to Rainbow Falls and Pretty Place

    5.0
    5.96 mi / 1844 ft gain
    Jones Gap State Park in the Upstate of South Carolina is one of the most beautiful parks in the state offering a good range of moderate and challenging hiking and backpacking trails through the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. Jones Gap also provides superb primitive camping sites along the rocky...
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  • Burnsville, North Carolina

    Deep Gap Trail at Mt. Mitchell State Park

    5.0
    8.24 mi / 2310 ft gain
    I personally find this trail to be more difficult and have more rewarding views than the Mt. Mitchell summit trail. The Deep Gap Trail starts near the Mount Mitchell summit and heads into a forest of spruce and balsam fir trees. The trail then climbs along the ridgeline to neighboring summits. E...
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  • Old Fort, North Carolina

    Catawba Falls

    4.8
    2.19 mi / 394 ft gain
    Please note, Catawba Falls is temporarily closed. You can learn more about updates at www.fs.usda.gov. This quick and relatively easy hike is located close to Asheville, NC. If you're looking to have the trail to yourself, it can be a little tough. It's best to get there as early as possible or ...
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  • 150 Asbury Drive, South Carolina

    Hike the Asbury Trail to Moonshine Falls

    5.5 mi / 800 ft gain
    The trail to the Matthews Creek cable bridge crossing is easy. The cable crossing is fine - fun for some and a do-able challenge for others.  After the creek, to get to Moonshine Falls, turn RIGHT at the post which indicates a trail both left and right. This is the Naturaland Trail in Caesars Hea...
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  • Flat Rock, North Carolina

    Watch the Green Race

    5.0
    1.8 mi / 500 ft gain
    On the first Saturday of November the best creek boaters in the world gather at the Green River in North Carolina to see who can storm the Narrows and claim the top title (at least for the next year!). For paddlers, creek boating is a pursuit along tight and narrow steeps that most of us have ne...
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  • Burnsville, North Carolina

    Backpack the Black Mountain Crest Trail

    12 mi / 5390 ft gain
    The Black Mountain Crest Trail is legendary among hikers in the southeast. It is the highest trail east of the Mississippi, as it traverses the summit of several peaks over 6,000 feet. It is also widely acknowledged as one of the premier hikes on the east coast. To whit, the trail immediately asc...
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  • Black Mountain, North Carolina

    Eagle Rock

    0.7 mi / 151 ft gain
    Eagle Rock is located in Chimney Rock State Park and is a hot spot for climbers and hikers! The hike to the overlook at Eagle Rock is 0.4 miles, and it's one of the most bang-for-your-buck trails in the area. We love to picnic out on the rock as it's in the sun most of the day. If you decide to...
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  • Sunset, South Carolina

    Hike to Twin Falls, SC

    5.0
    1 mi / 0 ft gain
    Once you get to the destination there should be a small parking area. At the end of this parking area you will see the start of the Twin Falls trail that will be mostly a flat walk. Follow this trail approximately 0.5 miles  to the falls. You will know you are in the right place if the creek is r...
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  • Townsend, Tennessee

    Backpack to Spence Field

    13.8 mi / 3100 ft gain
    Start your hike at Anthony Creek Trailhead (elevation 1,800 ft), in the Cade’s Cove area. The trailhead is located at the far end of the day-use picnic area near Cade’s Cove campground. There are a few parking spots right at the trailhead, but note that the picnic area closes at dusk (a gate clos...
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