National Forest trails in North Carolina
620 named trails in 4 national forests pass through North Carolina, about 1,966 miles within the state. Pages here cover 127 of them, listed below. Trails are grouped by the forest that administers them, longest forest first.
National Forests in North Carolina605 trails · 2,045 miles
| Trail | Miles | Class | Allowed uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anst - Appalachian RdNational Scenic or Historic Trail | 159.9 | ||
| Saltwater Adventure | 115.4 | ||
| MST - Grandfather RdLinville Gorge Wilderness | 70.9 | ||
| Bartram NRT - Nantahala RdNational Recreation Trail | 68.6 | ||
| Anst - Nantahala RdNational Scenic or Historic TrailSouthern Nantahala Wilderness | 52.5 | ||
| MST - Pisgah RdNational Recreation TrailMiddle Prong Wilderness | 44.8 | ||
| MST - Appalachian Rd | 35 | ||
| Benton Mackaye -Cheoah RdJoyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness | 31.2 | ||
| Art Loeb NRTNational Recreation TrailShining Rock Wilderness | 30.3 | ||
| Anst - Cheoah RdNational Scenic or Historic Trail | 29.5 | ||
| Uwharrie NRTNational Recreation Trail | 28.6 | ||
| Rim Trail | 24.3 | ||
| Chunky GalSouthern Nantahala Wilderness | 20.9 | ||
| NeusiokNational Recreation Trail | 19.5 | ||
| Shut-In NRTNational Recreation Trail | 18 | ||
| Buncombe Horse | 16.5 | ||
| MST - Nantahala RdNational Recreation Trail | 16.1 | ||
| Snowbird Mountain | 14.4 | ||
| South Mills River | 14.2 | ||
| Linville GorgeLinville Gorge Wilderness | 12.7 | ||
| Slickrock CreekJoyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness | 12.6 | ||
| Wilson Ridge | 12 | ||
| BeldingJoyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness | 11.4 | ||
| Dutchman'S Creek | 11.2 | ||
| Black Mountain Crest | 10.8 | ||
| Tsali Right Loop | 10.7 | ||
| Shinbone | 10.2 | ||
| Woods Mountain | 10 | ||
| Santeetlah Lake Trail South | 9.6 | ||
| Black MountainNational Recreation Trail | 9.2 | ||
| Tsali Left Loop | 9.2 | ||
| ShortoffLinville Gorge Wilderness | 9.1 | ||
| Yellow Creek Mountain | 9.1 | ||
| Wine Springs Loop | 8.9 | ||
| Wayehutta Loop | 8.8 | ||
| Bartram Trail Extension | 8.6 | ||
| Big Snowbird | 8.5 | ||
| London Bald | 8.5 | ||
| Big Indian LoopSouthern Nantahala Wilderness | 8.2 | ||
| Lost Cove Loop | 8.2 | ||
| Squirrel Gap | 7.9 | ||
| Stratton BaldJoyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness | 7.5 | ||
| Wauchecha Bald | 7.4 | ||
| Ellicotts RockEllicott Rock Wilderness | 7.1 | ||
| Fork MountainShining Rock Wilderness | 7 | ||
| Laurel Mountain | 7 | ||
| Dave Thompson Loop | 6.7 | ||
| Wilson Creek | 6.6 | ||
| Haoe LeadJoyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness | 6.5 | ||
| King Meadows | 6.5 | ||
| Beech CreekSouthern Nantahala Wilderness | 6.4 | ||
| Keyauwee | 6.4 | ||
| Steeles Creek | 6.4 | ||
| Buckhorn Gap | 6.3 | ||
| Mouse Branch Loop | 6.3 | ||
| Rocky Bald Loop | 6.3 | ||
| Harper Creek | 6.2 | ||
| Yellow Mountain | 6.2 | ||
| Buck Springs | 6.1 | ||
| Pinecliff Horse Trail C | 6.1 |
545 more trails, including every one under 4.5 miles, are listed on the National Forests in North Carolina page.
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests2 trails · 112 miles
| Trail | Miles | Class | Allowed uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appalachian TrailNational Scenic or Historic TrailMark Trail Wilderness | 76.6 | ||
| BartramNational Recreation Trail | 35.8 |
Cherokee National Forest10 trails · 55 miles
| Trail | Miles | Class | Allowed uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Fork of Citico TrailCitico Creek Wilderness | 10.4 | ||
| Fodderstack MountainCitico Creek Wilderness | 10.3 | ||
| Unicoi Mountain Horse Trail | 9.9 | ||
| Brookshire CreekUpper Bald River Wilderness | 6.7 | ||
| North Fork of Citico TrailCitico Creek Wilderness | 5.4 | ||
| Kirkland Creek TrailUpper Bald River Wilderness | 4.7 |
4 more trails, including every one under 4.5 miles, are listed on the Cherokee National Forest page.
Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests3 trails · 42 miles
| Trail | Miles | Class | Allowed uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| FoothillsEllicott Rock Wilderness | 22.1 | ||
| Chattooga Hiking TrailEllicott Rock Wilderness | 15.4 | ||
| Fork Mountain TrailEllicott Rock Wilderness | 4.9 |
The 60 longest trails with a page are listed for each forest. The forest pages list every named trail. A trail that crosses a state line is listed in both states with its full length. Data refreshed November 1, 2026.