North Carolina is home to so many hiking trails, that it can be daunting to select the best one for you. Sure, there are famous trails like the Appalachian Trail or the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, but there are just as many hidden gems that you may not have heard of before.

Spend any time hiking in the Tar Heel State and you’re sure to fall in love with our wild side. With trails that wind through mountains and valleys and past raging rivers or along the beautiful coast, there is a wide array of wonderlands to explore. Check out this little-known trail near Maggie Valley where you’ll cross scores of magical streams and footbridges in North Carolina: the Boogerman Trail.

With a total elevation change of more than 1,100 feet and a total distance of 7.3 miles, the Boogerman Trail near Maggie Valley is anything but easy.
AllTrails/Colleen Turner
But those who hike (or run) this trail regularly are testament to its' spellbinding allure.
AllTrails/Adam Malis
Located within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Boogerman Trail winds through some beautiful terrain crossing several streams — and even crossing several of them many times.
AllTrails/Brett Dupree
It's a great signature of the National Park Service to make hiking trails in this park as enchanting as possible so the water crossings on this hike are simply spellbinding. Each and every one is different and creates incredible opportunities for stopping to "smell the roses" along the path.
AllTrails/Jack McCallie

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From the Palmer Fork stream to the Sag Branch stream, then up to the top of Snake Ridge and then back down to cross the Snake Branch stream, you can attempt to count the number of water crossings on this hike. It's somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 crossings.
AllTrails/Cassandra Jones
But Boogerman also has other sights to enjoy. In particular, there are a number of enormous trees on this trail through the Great Smoky Mountains. And the canopy in the warm seasons is unusually green.
AllTrails/Doug Jones
Make no mistake when you embark upon Boogerman Trail, though. All Trails ranks this hike as "hard," and rightfully so. Be sure you're experienced enough to take this one.
AllTrails/Angela Arber
Here's a map of the trek. You can download it from All Trails.
AllTrails

Know of another hike with several footbridges in North Carolina? Tell us about it here. And speaking of Maggie Valley, this incredible aerial video showcases what makes this region of North Carolina so special:

While you’re in the Maggie Valley area, don’t pass up the chance to go check out the most photographed view in the Smokies!

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hiking trails in North Carolina

Beth C. | April 28, 2023

What's the most dangerous hiking trail in North Carolina?

North Carolina is chock-full of hikes. From the Outer Banks to the mountains of Western North Carolina, you'll find no shortage of epic hiking trails -- including iconic ones such as the Appalachian Trail and the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. If you're curious about the most dangerous hiking trail in North Carolina, that title belongs to Grandfather Mountain Trail. It's an extreme and challenging trail, even for those who are experienced in hiking. The trail includes 16 ladders, some of which span 15 rungs and scale intimidatingly rocky peaks. If you have a fear of heights, you'll definitely want to steer clear of this dangerous North Carolina hiking trail.

For a quick glimpse at what makes Grandfather Mountain such an iconic NC destination, watch the brief drone video below:

Are there any family-friendly hikes near Asheville, North Carolina?

Absolutely! If you're planning to travel to Asheville, North Carolina with the whole family, you can rest assured that the region offers plenty of kid-friendly activities. Some family-friendly hikes near Asheville can be found at the following destinations:

  • DuPont State Forest
  • Chimney Rock State Park
  • Catawba Falls
  • Bent Creek Experimental Forest
  • Black Balsam Knob via Art Loeb Trail
  • Max Patch
  • Biltmore Estate
  • Bearwallow Mountain
  • Moore Cove Falls
  • Oconaluftee River Trail

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