Looking for the best hiking trails near Waynesville NC? This guide will provide you with detailed information on all of the top trails. Our guides include video, photos, details on the hikes, tips and more! Waynesville NC is near many of the best hiking trails Western North Carolina has to offer, and they close by as well.
Hiking in Wayneville North Carolina
Waynesville NC is a popular vacation destination for those seeking the peace, serenity and beauty of the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains. Waynesville NC offers many different activities in and around time, and especially within it's almost Norman Rockwell like historic downtown area.
Waynesville is also very close to many of the great outdoor offerings the Blue Ridge Mountains provide, including waterfalls, scenic drives, swimming holes, parks, and hiking. In fact, Waynesville is often called the "Gateway to the Smoky Mountains" for North Carolina.
If you love hiking, or are thinking about giving it a try, there are many excellent hiking trails located near Waynesville, from challenging/multi-day hikes, to relaxed and family friend hikes. Here are our top picks for hiking trails near Waynesville North Carolina:
1 - Waterrock Knob, Blue Ridge Parkway
Located at MP451.2, Waterrock Knob is located at the end of a short side road and off the Blue Ridge Parkway. The parking area offers incredible views, including sunrises and sunsets. You can hike up the top is .5 miles and strenuous, but provides incredible views of the surrounding mountains, and of Ghost Town in the Sky and Maggie Valley NC.
4 - Little Cataloochee Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Little Cataloochee Trail, takes you back into the woods of Little Cataloochee, a newer and smaller settlement not far from Big Cataloochee. This forest hike is beautiful, and takes you by creeks and historic structures out to Little Cataloochee Baptist church.
6 - Oconaluftee River Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Located at the Oconaluftee Visitor center, and mostly paved, this dog friendly and easy trail takes you along the banks of the Oconaluftee River and down to the entrance to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The trail is nice, relaxing, and the sounds of the river are wonderful.
9 - Wildcat Falls Trail, Pisgah National Forest
This moderate hike along an old railroad grade takes you through some beautiful woods and alongside a crystal clear creek. There are two waterfalls, a smaller unnamed waterfall, and the larger Wildcat Falls, which is easily viewed from an old concrete bridge, built by the logging companies.
12 - Big Creek Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
One of our favorite trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Big Creek Trail provides access to Midnight Hole and Mouse Creek Falls. The trail follows Big Creek as well, which is one of the most beautiful and scenic creeks in the park.
19 - Mountains-To-Sea Trail
The Mountains-To-Sea trail goes from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, all the way to the Outer Banks. We hiked a portion of it when we were on Topsail Island. The MTS trail follows along the Blue Ridge Parkway, and provides a number of great hiking options an access points.