The Best More Difficult Hikes in Western North Carolina

This page includes all More Difficult hikes.

Each hike has its own printable guide page with all the information and links, including (where available):

Looking Glass Rock

More Difficult Hike
  • This hike takes you to the top of a Pisgah National Forest icon: the huge granitic pluton known as Looking …
  • 6.4 mi, Climbs Steeply
  • Tread Condition: Moderately Rough

Stone Mountain Loop

More Difficult Hike
  • Passing three of the most sought-out points in the park - the summit of Stone Mountain, the Hutchinson Homestead, and …
  • 4.5 mi, Hilly
  • Tread Condition: Moderately Rough

Panthertown Valley Tour

More Difficult Hike
  • This is a large loop with a wide variety of main attractions. The trails will take you past lazy, meandering …
  • 8.8 - 10.0 mi, Hilly
  • Tread Condition: Moderately Rough

Shortoff Mountain

More Difficult Hike
  • Climbing one of the most prominent peaks on the rim of the Linville Gorge, this hike takes you to the …
  • 5.1 mi, Climbs Moderately
  • Tread Condition: Moderately Rough

Green Knob

More Difficult Hike
  • This hike takes you along the Mountains to Sea Trail in a remote section of the Pisgah National Forest. The …
  • 9 mi, Hilly
  • Tread Condition: Some Obstacles

John Rock Loop

More Difficult Hike
  • This hike takes you past a small but attractive waterfall, up to the top of John Rock, which is the …
  • 5 mi, Climbs Steeply
  • Tread Condition: Moderately Rough

Chimney Rock Tour

More Difficult Hike
  • The short description of this hike could simply be "Hike all of Chimney Rock's trails!" Though Chimney Rock may resemble …
  • 4.5 mi, Climbs Steeply
  • Tread Condition: Some Obstacles

Old Mitchell

More Difficult Hike
  • Don't be like the rest of the tourists and drive to the top: take a real hike to the summit …
  • 4 mi, Hilly
  • Tread Condition: Moderately Rough