National Forests In North Carolina, a national forest system spanning 1.25 million acres, encompasses diverse landscapes from rugged mountains to coastal plains across the state. This region is characterized by its varied terrain, including mile-high peaks, extensive trail systems, dense forests, and unique coastal wetlands. These features provide a setting for several sports like hiking, mountain biking, touring cycling, road cycling, and more. The four distinct forestsβCroatan, Uwharrie, Pisgah, and Nantahalaβeach offer unique natural environments for outdoor pursuits.
206
Routes
4.7
(95)
Average rating
3487
People visited

5.0
(4)
64
hikers
2.70km
00:46
70m
60m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
63
hikers
2.24km
00:57
100m
150m
Moderate hike. Great for any fitness level. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

35
hikers
7.07km
03:21
280m
280m
Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

1.0
(2)
41
hikers
8.88km
03:42
10m
1,090m
Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

88.2km
06:36
1,680m
2,760m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

8
riders
32.1km
02:06
470m
470m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
riders
22.7km
01:43
530m
530m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
riders
18.1km
01:14
290m
290m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

5.0
(4)
146
riders
23.1km
02:24
550m
550m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

127
riders
27.2km
02:34
460m
460m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

5.0
(1)
101
riders
33.1km
03:24
810m
810m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

5.0
(3)
57
riders
27.8km
02:31
340m
340m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

26
riders
71.3km
03:59
1,470m
1,470m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5
riders
50.0km
02:53
1,070m
1,060m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

9
riders
27.8km
01:28
470m
460m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4
riders
42.3km
02:24
820m
820m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

10
runners
7.94km
01:06
340m
340m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

8
runners
8.60km
01:10
60m
60m
Hard run. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5.0
(1)
7
runners
6.38km
00:56
90m
90m
Hard run. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5
runners
10.9km
01:43
290m
290m
Hard run. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4.6
(11)
73
riders
33.7km
02:24
540m
540m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

15
riders
40.4km
02:42
650m
650m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

16
riders
61.2km
04:05
1,060m
1,060m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

12
riders
66.3km
04:38
1,190m
1,190m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
The National Forests in North Carolina comprise four distinct forests: Croatan, Uwharrie, Pisgah, and Nantahala. They cover 1.25 million acres across the state, offering diverse landscapes from coastal plains to mountain peaks. These forests provide a wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities.
The National Forests in North Carolina offer a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, mountain biking, touring cycling, road cycling, jogging, and gravel biking. There are more than 1,200 routes available for exploration. These activities cater to various skill levels across the diverse terrain.
Yes, the National Forests in North Carolina feature numerous easy hiking trails suitable for various fitness levels. These trails provide accessible ways to experience the diverse landscapes. Users can find specific recommendations in the Easy hikes in National Forests In North Carolina guide.
Popular hiking trails are found across all four forests, with significant networks in Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests. Pisgah offers trails to Linville Falls and Hawksbill Mountain, while Nantahala includes sections of the Appalachian Trail. More information is available in the Hiking in National Forests In North Carolina guide.
Yes, the National Forests in North Carolina provide over 300 miles (480 km) of designated mountain bike trails and forest roads. The Bent Creek Experimental Forest in Pisgah National Forest is a popular destination with trails ranging from easy to difficult. Specific routes can be found in the MTB Trails in National Forests In North Carolina guide.
Notable natural features include the Linville Gorge Wilderness in Pisgah National Forest, often called the 'Grand Canyon of the East.' Nantahala National Forest features Whitewater Falls, one of the highest east of the Rockies. Max Patch, a mountain bald, offers panoramic views.
Yes, the National Forests in North Carolina are home to dozens of waterfalls, particularly in Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests. Linville Falls in Pisgah and Whitewater Falls in Nantahala are prominent examples. A guide to Waterfall hikes in National Forests In North Carolina is available.
The forests offer diverse cycling routes, including scenic byways like the Blue Ridge Parkway for road cycling and numerous forest roads for touring cyclists. Mountain biking trails are also extensive. Guides for Road Cycling Routes in National Forests In North Carolina and Cycling in National Forests In North Carolina provide more details.
Specific permits may be required for certain activities or wilderness areas within Nantahala National Forest, such as overnight backpacking in designated wildernesses. It is advisable to check the official forest service website for the most current regulations before visiting. General day hiking typically does not require a permit.
The official website for the National Forests in North Carolina is www.fs.usda.gov/nfsnc. The phone number for the Forest Supervisor's Office is 828-257-4200. These resources provide current information on regulations and conditions.
The National Forests in North Carolina are highly popular on komoot, with more than 40,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The region has an average rating of 4.71 out of 5 stars across over 1,200 routes. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users.

