How to Go Day Hiking near Charlotte, North Carolina

Many fantastic day hikes and day hiking opportunities abound in and around Charlotte, North Carolina, which is located on the southern Piedmont near the border with South Carolina. Because of Charlotte's relative proximity to the spectacular Appalachian Mountains, many day hike opportunities are available within a couple of hours drive. This article will introduce you to some of the best day hiking opportunities easily accessible in and around metro Charlotte. Links to places mentioned are listed in the additional resources section of this article page.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Appropriate clothing depending on weather and temperature conditions
• Hiking Boots
• Pack with Lunch/Snacks/Water
• Hats/sunscreen
• Trail maps available online or at park offices

1. Greenway in Charlotte Charlotte, North Carolina has an extensive bicycle, pedestrian, and greenway system. The greenways offer excellent opportunities for very local day hikes in and around Charlotte.
2. View of Uptown Charlotte from Fourth Ward Urban hikers will find many opportunities to walk and hike the streets of center city Charlotte and the surrounding neighborhoods and communities. As the second largest banking center in the United States after New York City, center city Charlotte ("Uptown Charlotte") has been revitalized. Many people live in and around the central city and it is a thriving, bustling place. Urban day hikers will specifically want to explore the central business district as well as the four surround wards (areas of gentrification).
3. Crowders Mountain State Park Several state parks, a national park site, and national forests are closeby to the Charlotte metropolitan area. Each of these parks contain many hiking trails, some leading through forests and along streams to waterfalls, others leading to some nice views of the surrounding Piedmont and Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains to the west. These specific state parks include Crowders Mountain State Park (very nice views of surrounding piedmont and Charlotte from the summit); Kings Mountain National Military Park; Morrow Mountain State Park (near Uwharrie National Forest); South Mountain State Park (nice hiking through forests, along streams, and to a huge waterfall); Hanging Rock State Park; and Stone Mountain State Park.
4. Blue Ridge Mountains near Mount Mitchell If you are willing to drive one to three hours each way to the west and northwest of Charlotte, you will be able to choose from many day hiking opportunities in the spectacular Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina. The day hikes and hiking opportunities are too numerous to list and describe in one article, but they are all worth the effort to drive to and explore. Many of these hikes are located along and near the Blue Ridge Parkway as well as in the Pisgah National Forest and the Nantahala National Forest.

Tips & Warnings

• Try to take time often to enjoy the great outdoors!
• A good day hike is good for the body, mind, and soul.