The Magical River Hike In North Carolina That Has A Little Of Everything

You never know when you embark upon a new trail in North Carolina what fun things you’ll encounter. From picturesque mountain views to a railroad trestle and ruins of an old logging ghost town – and more, this trail in the Tar Heel State has a little of everything. Take a peek, and then dust off your hiking boots and go get ’em.

alltrails/Michael Michael Ciaszki

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The trail is 7 miles round trip and offers so much to discover. From swimming holes to waterfalls, it really does have it all. It's not easy to find a hike with so much adventure. Take a look at all this fun trail has...

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alltrails/Tory Ervin

Be on the lookout for the work of these busy beavers in the form of nearly felled trees along the creek.

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alltrails/Tom Jackson

Huge boulders jam up parts of the creek creating an adventure of another kind for kayakers who love a challenge. If you're lucky, you'll spot one. If not, you'll have those rapids to gawk at.

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alltrails/Leslie Tritle

The trail follows a creek bed that winds through a narrow mountain gorge. Aside from the rapids on the river, you'll find some beautiful waterfalls sending water down the mountain and into the creek.

alltrails/Kat Kalikow

Yep. The peace and serenity found along this trail is everything you can imagine and more.

alltrails/Jamie Easterly

Or, just a place to stop and relax on a rustic bench. Bring a lunch... this is an ideal spot to take a break and enjoy the surroundings and the sound of the water passing by.

alltrails/Michael Smith

In a bygone era, the railroad tracks alongside the trail used to carry wood out of an old logging operation in the ghost town of Runion. Not much remains of this old logging town in the woods, but you can't miss it.

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alltrails/Dan P

Be forewarned, this is an active rail line and crossing this trestle on foot is illegal, not to mention dangerous. Most people consider this the end of the trail and turn back. Others say there is a way to safely cross the creek a little farther along. We recommend turning here, as this is the 3.5 mile mark and the end of the line.

The Laurel River Trail is a fun adventure that’s suitable for the entire family. You may find a couple of spots where there creek is narrow and you have to cross over the running water, so be prepared. It’s accessible year-round, if you don’t mind hiking in the snow. Dogs are permitted as long as they are leashed. The trail head is located in Hurricane, just to the northeast of Hot Springs, and right on NC-25/70. Here’s a link to a google map indicating the trail head. Get more details on the trail from this link on alltrails.com.