• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

TotalHiker

Your Hiking Guide

  • Apparel
  • Gear
  • Hikes
  • Info
Total Hiker > Hiking Destinations > USA > East Coast > Carolinas > 5 Fantastic Hikes in North Carolina’s High Country

5 Fantastic Hikes in North Carolina’s High Country

North Carolina is a state of diversity, from the rugged coast all the way to the mountains that dominate the western portion of the state. These beautiful mountains have garnered the fond name as North Carolina’s “High Country”, by the locals, but it would seem the nickname is rather apt.

With remote mountains and serene meadows, there are a lot of secrets to discover up there in the High Country on its fantastic hikes.

Pink Beds Loops

Located in the Pisgah National Forest outside of Brevard (otherwise known as the “Land of Waterfalls”) is the Pink Beds Loop.

This is the trail for any visiting flower lovers in North Carolina. You see, the Pink beds get its name from the wide variety of beautiful blooms that happen in the meadows along the trail.

In the spring, the grassy fields are dominated by mountain laurel, azalea, and rhododendron. Although it is located up in the High Lands, the Pink Beds trail offers very little elevation change or challenge across the five-mile loop, making it perfect for hikers of any age as well as trail runners that are interested in scenery that is just a little more stunning than your average forested trail.

The Devil’s Courthouse Trail

Just off of the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway is the short, but strenuous Devil’s Courthouse Trail. This challenging trail climbs half a mile to the eponymous peak that offers the sweeping views over the Blue Ridge Mountains that have made the Blue Ridge Parkway a must-drive byway in North Carolina.

  6 Top North Carolina Hiking Trails with Waterfalls

While the trail starts off paved, when people describe the hike as “climbing,” they mean climbing. The last leg of the trail gains elevation quickly, but hikers shouldn’t forget to look out for a number of rare high altitude plants that grow in this protected area including Gnome Lichen and Spreading Avens.

From the overlook, at the top, you are treated to sweeping views that stretch into the states surrounding North Carolina including South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee.

The Profile Trail

Grandfather Mountain is one of North Carolina’s most beloved monuments and the highlight of the Banner Elk area.

The Profile Trail is actually the trail that shows you the reason the mountain is named the way it is, taking you up into the hills to show you the profile of Grandfather Mountain that looks like the profile of an old man’s face. However, while this is one of the best hikes in the High Country, it is also one of the most challenging.

Starting at the creek bed just past the trailhead, the Profile Trail leads up ever-upwards on a series of increasingly shorter switchbacks where the dirt trail turns to rock scramble.

While the trail not only shows off the profile and refreshing fir forest that surrounds it, you also have options to summit Grandfather Mountain itself, making for an even more difficult, but rewarding hike.

Skinny Dip Falls Trail

Just to the east of one of the most popular stops along the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Graveyard Fields waterfalls is perhaps one of the best gems you will find along the scenic byway – Looking Glass Rock Overlook.

  South Carolina's 5 Most Amazing Waterfall Treks

While this overlook is popular for the sights it shows, it is not the sole reason to stop here. The short one-mile spur trail leading to Skinny Dip Falls, however, is.

While this short and easy trail is sure not to give any sort of challenge, it does lead down to one of the top swimming holes in North Carolina. People come here not only to view this magnificent waterfall but to take a quick dip in the mountain stream-fueled pool.

While there is no better way to cool off on a hot and humid summer day in North Carolina, despite the name, please keep at least some of your clothes on.

Mount Pisgah Trail

If you are a tried and true view hunter, then North Carolina is the perfect country to fulfill your need for scenic summits.

The perfect way to cap off your adventure in North Carolina’s High Lands is a hike up Mount Pisgah. Unlike some other mountain trails, the trek up Mount Pisgah isn’t excessively long, or even very difficult, but it does offer a panoramic vista from the bare summit that towers over all the other rolling hills and mountains that surround it.

Even more stunning is doing this hike in the fall when the leaves change since the mountain is surrounded by lush hardwood forest.

As it is so close to downtown Ashville, you can both see the easily recognized summit from the town and see the town from the summit. Needless to say, the view over the town from the top of the world is much more worthwhile.

Matt Green

Matt Green, is an avid hiker and lover of the great outdoors. He is always planning his next big trip or hitting the trails for a solo hike.

  South Carolina's 5 Most Amazing Waterfall Treks

He’s traveled extensively to many remote regions and has plenty of experience exploring various terrains, and stories to tell.

Contents

  • 1 Pink Beds Loops
  • 2 The Devil’s Courthouse Trail
  • 3 The Profile Trail
  • 4 Skinny Dip Falls Trail
  • 5 Mount Pisgah Trail

May 20, 2020

Primary Sidebar

Footer

  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • About Total Hiker
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy & Cookie Policy
  • Sitemap

Copyright © 2025 Total Hiker

Affiliate Disclosure

We believe in being as transparent as possible when it comes to this site. With this in mind, please be aware that we may receive remuneration for some of the products we review on this site.

Total Hiker is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com (and other Amazon programs).

We will also list ads from time to time. You should be able to see these as text links or blocks of ads which have a small notation indicating “Ads by Google” or “AdChoices”.

Our mission is to help our visitors, but this is also very clearly a for-profit site and you should realize as much. We include only those products that we believe could benefit you, some of which we may get a commission if you purchase them. However, we also provide links on the site to information resources for which we receive no compensation.

If you have any questions whatsoever, please contact us using the "contact" option on the site menu and we will be happy to answer any questions.

Being Social

FaceBook

Twitter

Trademark Dislosure

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates.

In addition, any other trademarks and logos we mention on this site are also the property of their respective owners.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
SAVE & ACCEPT