Finding fantastic fall hikes in North Carolina isn’t difficult, there are so many! We’re sharing some of our absolute favorites! Fall in Central North Carolina is a breathtaking experience, with its vibrant foliage, serene landscapes, and cooler temperatures. It’s the perfect time to explore the great outdoors and immerse yourself in nature’s beauty.
Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just looking for a short, scenic walk, Central North Carolina offers a variety of fantastic hikes that are one mile or shorter. From waterfalls and caves to pinnacles and picturesque trails, our curated list will guide you through some of the most stunning spots to enjoy this magical season.
Fall Hikes at Pilot Mountain State Park
Situated in Pinnacle, North Carolina, Pilot Mountain State Park is one of the four peaks of the Saura Mountains. It is renowned for its distinctive rocky knob, which has historically served as a navigational landmark.
The park offers a wealth of hiking opportunities in both the river section and mountain section. For trails in the mountain section, visitors can drive up to the summit parking area, where they will find a variety of trails to explore.
The road to the summit opens intermittently, depending on available parking spaces at the top. Weekends and holidays are especially busy. We visited on a Friday morning and waited about 20 minutes to take the road up to the summit.
While you wait for the next gate opening, you can explore the Visitor Center, which offers interesting exhibits and information about the park. There’s also a picnic area and restrooms in the lower parking area.
As you make your way to the summit parking area, enjoy the scenic views. Once you reach the summit, you’ll find multiple hiking trails and overlooks offering spectacular vistas. Restroom facilities are also available at the summit, ensuring a comfortable visit as you explore the various trails and viewpoints.
Pilot Knob Trail
This moderate 0.8-mile loop trail circles the base of Pilot Mountain’s Big Pinnacle, offering spectacular views along the way. Conveniently located right next to the parking lot, the trail includes some steep steps, making it a slightly challenging yet rewarding hike.
At the start of the Pilot Knob Trail, you’ll find the Little Pinnacle Overlook. This overlook provides fantastic views of Pilot Mountain and the surrounding forest below. It’s a short, easy hike from the summit parking area to reach this breathtaking viewpoint.
Fall Hikes at Hanging Rock State Park
Tory’s Den and Falls Trail
This 0.4-mile trail is easy and enjoyable, passing by Tory’s Falls and leading to a 20-foot deep natural cave. The trail is kid-friendly, making it a great family outing. While you can’t hike down to the falls, they are visible at the end of the trail.
During our visit, there wasn’t much water flowing from the falls. Perhaps in the spring or summer, the water flow is stronger. However, the cave was intriguing, and the kids had a great time exploring and taking pictures. The hike is especially beautiful in the fall with the vibrant foliage.
Parking is available at Tory’s Den parking lot, located at 1185 Charlie Young Road in Westfield, NC.
Lower Cascade Falls Trail
One of our very favorite fall hikes! This 0.8-mile out-and-back trail is easy to moderate, with stairs at the end for those who want to get closer to the falls. The return climb up the stone stairs is short but steep. The trail is kid-friendly and ends at a beautiful, tiered waterfall.
During our visit, we had the falls mostly to ourselves, encountering only one other family on our way back to the parking lot. It was a fantastic experience.
Parking is available at the Lower Cascades parking lot, located at 2143 Hall Road in Westfield, NC.
Fall Hikes- Elkin Valley Trails
Carter Falls and Power House Trails- Elkin, NC
Carter Falls Trail is an easy 0.5-mile hike along a wide, wooded path, ending at a beautiful cascading waterfall. Parking is available at the Carter Falls Trail Head on Pleasant Ridge Road in Elkin, NC. Note that the parking area is relatively small and there are no restroom facilities at the trailhead.
During the summer, the trail and falls can get crowded with swimmers cooling off in the river’s swimming holes. When we visited during the fall, the crowds were low, and there was plenty of parking, even on a weekend morning.
For a longer adventure, combine this hike with the connecting Powerhouse Trail to create a one-mile loop that visits both the lower and upper falls. The connecting section features stairs and a few mild switchbacks.
For the best views and to avoid the steep descent, start with the Powerhouse Trail to visit the lower falls first. Along the way, you’ll find remnants of the old powerhouse that once provided electricity to the town of Elkin.
Continue up the trail along the river to reach the Carter Falls Trail, leading you to the stunning upper falls. A bit of rock scrambling will take you down to the shoreline for close-up views of the falls, where you may see visitors on the large river rocks.
After enjoying the falls, a short hike takes you back to the parking area at the trailhead.
Wrap Up
Central North Carolina in the fall is truly a hiker’s paradise. With so many beautiful trails to explore, each offering its unique charm, there’s no better way to experience the season’s splendor.
Whether you’re marveling at cascading waterfalls, exploring intriguing caves, or enjoying panoramic views from mountain summits, these short hikes provide the perfect opportunity to connect with nature and appreciate the vibrant fall colors.
So lace up your hiking boots, grab your camera, and head out to discover the natural beauty that Central North Carolina has to offer. Check out some of our other favorite hikes here!
Happy hiking!
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