Best Hiking Trails Near Maggie Valley NC

Maggie Valley NC is surrounded by the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains.  As a result, it's also surrounded by numerous hiking trails, from short to long, and from easy to strenuous.  If you're looking for the Best Hiking Trails near Maggie Valley NC, you've come to the right place.  We're Maggie Valley locals and avid hikers, and highlight all of the best Maggie Valley area hiking trails below.

Maggie Valley Hiking Trails

There are many different things to do in and around Maggie Valley NC, but many don't realize that Maggie Valley offers central access to many of the best hiking trails in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Hiking trails around Maggie Valley provide scenic views, creekside hikes, waterfall destinations, and many historic insights into the way mountain settlers lived, over a 100 years ago.  No matter what type of hiking trail you're looking for, there is one nearby that will meet your desires.  Many are family friendly as well!

Here is a list of some of the Maggie Valley hiking trails within a one hour drive of downtown Maggie Valley:  

Alum Cave

Alum Cave Trail

Our favorite trail and hike, Alum Cave Trail has it all: water, bridges, caves, and gorgeous scenic views. This is a 4.4 roundtrip and moderate hike to Alum Cave, or a longer 11 mile roundtrip and strenuous hike to the top of Mount LeConte

Family hiking at Big Creek

Big Creek Trail

Located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this 4.5 mile roundtrip hike will take you along an old Logging railroad grade, and to two different waterfalls, one a very popular swimming hole

Black Balsam Bald

Black Balsam Knob

A really awesome and beautiful hike, that should definitely be on everyones “must do” list. The Black Balsam area, located in Pisgah National Forest, and off the Blue Ridge Parkway, offers some of the most spectacular scenic views in the Blue Ridge. A moderate and 2-5 mile roundtrip hike.

Boogerman Trailhead

Boogerman Trail

If you're looking for a more challenging and rustic hike, Boogerman is it, and probably one of the best hikes in the Maggie Valley area. You'll see pristine old growth forest, historic home sites and graveyards and cross creeks with no bridges. This is moderate to strenuous, and 7.4 miles roundtrip.

Indian Creek Falls

Deep Creek Loop Trail

Deep Creek Loop Trail, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, near Bryson City is a 4.6 mile roundtrip hike and moderate hike that takes you to 3 different beautiful waterfalls.

Flat Creek Trail

Flat Creek Trail

Located in the Great Smoky Mountains Park, this is a gorgeous 5.2 mile roundtrip and moderate hike. Off the beaten path, and not heavily hiked

Hen Wallow Falls Tall

Gabes Mountain Trail

Located in Cosby, TN this 4.4 mile roundtrip hike is a family friendly, moderate, and takes you out to Hen Wallow Falls, a remote and beautiful waterfall.

Kepart Prong Mountain Laurel

Kephart Prong Trail

A very nice and historic out and back trail, featuring beautiful water crossings, creekside hiking, and a hiking shelter. 4.2 mile roundtrip and moderate

Max Patch - Appalachian Ranger District

Max Patch

Max Patch is a great 1.4 - 2.4 mile roundtrip hike that provides stunning 360 degree views on a mountain top bald. You'll get to hike along the Appalachian Trail as well.

Palmer Creek - Pretty Hollow Gap Trail

Pretty Hollow Gap Trail

Pretty Hollow Gap Trail is a 8 mile round trip out and back trail, that follows along side Palmer Creek and Pretty Hollow Creek to Pretty Hollow Gap, where the trail ends and runs into Mount Sterling Ridge Trail and Benton MacKaye Trail. The trail is creekside for a good portion, and moderate.

Woody House Rough Fork Trail

Rough Fork Trail

2 mile roundtrip and moderate trail up to the Woody House in Cataloochee Valley. Mainly flat trail, with a few bridge based creek crossings. The Woody house is beautiful and historic

Waterrock Knob

Waterrock Knob

Waterrock Knob is a short (1 mile roundtrip) but very strenuous hike from the parking lot up to the top. The views from the top are amazing and well worth it. This hike is just a few minutes from Maggie Valley NCv

Wildcat Falls NC

Wildcat Falls

Wildcat Falls is a 50-60 foot waterfall located 3/4 of a mile down Flat Laurel Creek Trail. The hike is moderate and 1.5 miles roundtrip. Very family friendly and nice.

While out hiking, be sure you have the necessary Day Hiking Essentials.  Also, there are bears in and around Maggie Valley, and while you probably won't see one, knowing the Black Bear Necessities will really help you, if you do encounter one.

Top Hikes in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Looking for great hikes in the Blue Ridge Mountains?  There are plenty of them!   

See our ALL of our hiking guides for hikes in the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

About the author

Larry Deane is co-owner of Blue Ridge Mountain Life. He has spent more than 20 years exploring the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and has a deep passion for nature, history, storytelling, and adventure. Along with his wife Jenn, they combined these passions to create Blue Ridge Mountain Life, a travel guide to these stunning mountains they are fortunate to call home.

Larry has more than 20 years of experience as a writer and journalist, and has established himself as a leading voice and expert for Blue Ridge Mountains. He is also an avid hiker, photographer, and videographer. He loves sharing his mountain adventures and knowledge with more than 500,000 people per month on Blue Ridge Mountain Life.


Tags


You may also like

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}