10 Best Hiking Trails in Boone, North Carolina | Ranked Easy to Hard

With so many outdoor activities in North Carolina, it’d be easy to overlook Boone. With ever-popular Asheville only a couple of hours away and multiple waterfalls and hikes throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains, Boone doesn’t get the proper love. We’re here to fix that! 

If you’re not into the idea of driving toward Great Smoky Mountain National Park, you don’t have to stray far from downtown to see some of the best hiking near Boone, NC!

For hikers and nature lovers alike, the High Country of North Carolina is an underrated gem. Quaint and just enough off the beaten path that you won’t run into the crowds of tourists that Asheville and other larger cities see.

If hiking in Boone, North Carolina is on your bucket list, here are ten places to start!

Want somewhere to camp while you’re in Boone? Check out the guide below.

READ MORE: Best Boone, NC Campgrounds & RV Parks

Easy Hiking Near Boone, NC

Flat top mountain trail near Boone, nc

1. Flat Top Mountain Trail

  • Length:  4.8 miles
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Time Required: 2 hours
  • Distance From Boone: 9 miles

If you aren’t looking for something too strenuous but want something to occupy your time, Flat Top Mountain Trail is a perfect balance. Located in Moses H Cone Memorial State Park, this trail comes in just under five miles and gives you about 600 feet of elevation. 

If that sounds like a lot, don’t worry. The trail is quite gradual, and you have 2.4 miles to cover that elevation, making it quite manageable for all skill levels. Being an out and back, you’ll have a 2.4-mile gradual downhill on the way back.

Expect a few switchbacks, but everything is manageable. At the top, you can take your time and enjoy the fire tower that gives you views from above the tree line. It’s a great photo spot, and you can plan lunch for the top of the hike to make an afternoon of it!

2. Hebron Falls via Boone Fork Trail

  • Length: 3.5 miles
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Time Required: 1 hour and 20 minutes
  • Distance From Boone: 12 miles

This is probably the most popular trail at Julian Price Memorial Park. At a doable 3.5 miles, you’ll have plenty of time to stretch your legs without feeling too taxed at the end.

Overall, the hike is flat, with only a total of 216 feet of elevation gained. You will gain that elevation all at once, so keep that in mind!

The biggest draw of the hike is Hebron Falls. At the turnaround point of the trail, you’ll drop down towards the falls (hiking back up when you’re ready to leave). That’s where almost all of the elevation is, though it’s still considered an easy trail, so no need to worry.

This is a popular area for nature lovers in general, with hikers, runners, and bird watchers coming to enjoy the 3.5-mile out and back. If you’re bringing a four-legged friend, that’s perfectly fine; just make sure you have a leash!

READ MORE: Best Hiking Trails near Waynesville, NC

3. Crab Orchard Falls Trail

Crab orchard falls near boone nc
Dan V / Yelp
  • Length:  1.4 miles
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Time Required: 45 minutes
  • Distance From Boone: 14 miles

If you’re looking for an easy introduction to North Carolina hiking, Crab Orchard Falls is the perfect distance. Not a far drive from Boone, this short out and back is perfect for all skill levels. 

Families with young children up for a walk will really appreciate it as well! This area is popular, so you may run into some traffic on holidays or weekends. Get there early if you’re trying to mitigate crowds at peak times.

The hike basically breaks down to two main rolling hills. You’ll go just under three-quarters of a mile each way on this out and back. Look out for protruding roots on your hike, but they tend to be small and a non-issue. 

Just past the turnaround point, you’ll find Craborchard Falls. While it will add just a bit extra to your hike, it’s more than worth it if you have the extra energy!

READ MORE: 8 BEST Hikes Near Highlands, NC

Moderate Hiking Trails Near Boone, NC

View from atop Tanwha trail near Boone nc
Jacqueline T / Yelp

4. Tanawha Trail from Rough Ridge Trailhead

  • Length: 2.5 miles
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Time Required: 1 hour and 20 minutes
  • Distance From Boone: 8 miles

So, you want to dial up the effort a little bit? Okay, we hear you. Presenting the Tanawha Trail from the Rough Ridge Trailhead. Just 2.5 miles, but it will get you working up a bit of a sweat. 

The biggest kicker here is the 757 feet of elevation gain. You’ll get up near 4,700 feet at the peak, so make sure you’re prepared for that! That being said, most hikers will still be able to tackle the trail successfully.

While a bit more work, the views here draw the highest praise. At the first peak, you’ll be at the highest point on the trail and rewarded for your efforts. 

There is a second hill to conquer, though a bit less strenuous than the first. Make sure to wear good shoes as you’ll run into the standard amount of rocks and roots one hiking North Carolina can expect.

5. Boone Fork Trail

  • Length: 5.2 miles
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Time Required: 2 hours and 15 minutes
  • Distance From Boone: 10 miles

If you decided to check out Hebron Falls via Boone Fork Trail at Julian Price Memorial Park, you’re already here. Might as well try this one out too! While more difficult and the better part of two miles longer, you’re up for it! 

The best part of this trail is that it has a hiker’s favorite thing: a loop. Yes, this trail features that beloved loop configuration instead of the out and back. New views the entire hike!

With a gain of 528 feet in elevation, you’ll definitely have to put in a bit of work. The good thing, though, is this trail is just a bit above 3,000 feet in elevation, so you won’t be getting up towards mile high! 

The majority of the trail is pretty flat, with little hills here and there. At 1.5 miles in, you’ll start a roughly 500-foot descent over the next mile and a half. From there, you get about half the hike’s total elevation gain over the next 0.8 miles or so, giving this a moderate difficulty rating.

6. Elk Knob Summit Trail

View of the sign at the summit of elk knob trail in boone, nc
jmpncsu / Tripadvisor
  • Length:  3.8 miles
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Time Required: 2 hours
  • Distance From Boone: 11 miles

The best thing about Elk Knob Summit is its simplicity. While it’s a bit of a challenge, it keeps things simple. This out and back hike in Elk Knob State Park is a slow ascent for the first 1.9 miles, and then you turn around and do it all in reverse.

You’ll gain almost 1,000 feet of elevation (and then you’ll lose it on the way back down), so pace yourself. The summit here is just over 5,500 feet in elevation. While this won’t be too much of a challenge for experienced hikers, newer ones should take more than the 2-hour estimated time for this one. It’s a beautiful trail anyway, so why rush?

Fall is the recommended time to do this hike, and if you head there from September to November, you’ll see why! 

Note that you’ll run into some snow up there well into the spring due to elevation. You likely won’t need much in the way of gear, just good hiking shoes. It can be slippery up there, though the trail is well-maintained year-round.

READ MORE: Highlands, NC Camping | Best FREE & Cheap Spots

Difficult Boone, NC Hiking Trails

Grandfather Mountain sign
Danny P / Tripadvisor

7. Grandfather Trail to Calloway Peak

  • Length: 4.1 miles
  • Difficulty: Difficult
  • Time Required: 4 hours
  • Distance From Boone: 20 miles

Grandfather Mountain is synonymous with Boone-area hiking. Hikers who come to the High Country looking for a challenge are met with Grandfather Mountain. This is not for the faint of heart, but very much worth it if you’re up for it! 

You’ll definitely run into other hikers looking to test their mettle, so prepare for that or get there really early! This side of the wilderness is managed by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, so you’ll need to pay an entrance fee, usually $20. 

You have two major peaks and a handful of rolling hills on this trail. The highest peak, Calloway, is just over 5,900 feet. You’ll be gaining 1,341 feet of elevation in 4.1 miles, with the lion’s share of the elevation gained on the out portion. 

That four-hour estimate will mainly depend on your fitness level, so prepare for anywhere from three to five hours, depending on your hiking prowess and how good you feel that day. This is enough for one day’s worth of hiking on its own but stands among a handful of popular trails in the general area. 

8. Calloway Peak via Profile Trail

  • Length:  8.2 miles
  • Difficulty: Difficult
  • Time Required: 4 hours
  • Distance From Boone: 20 miles

This is the portion of the Grandfather Mountain area run by the Grandfather Mountain State Park. You won’t be charged admission in the state area, though you will if you want to hike Grandfather Trail to Calloway Peak. Could you do both?

Sure, you absolutely could if that sounds like fun to you. Just know it will take you a long time, and make it a 12.3-mile hike (each way)! If you aren’t superhuman but you’re looking for a good hike, this alternative route to get to Calloway Peak will suit you perfectly. 

This trail is for the ardent adventurer and is best tried from spring to fall. You’ll gain 2,100 feet of elevation, and the trail starts to get really intense around mile three.

If you don’t mind the work and the scrambles necessary to get to the top, you can check Calloway Peak off your bucket list the hard way! 

9. Flat Rock View via Nuwati and Cragway Trail

  • Length: 3.5 miles
  • Difficulty: Strenuous
  • Time Required: 2 hours
  • Distance From Boone: 20 miles

If you want to push yourself on a trail but not have it take your entire day, this hike to Flat Rock View should only take you a couple of hours, leaving you plenty of hours left in the day

If you go early or late, you can avoid the crowds that will inevitably be there during the good weather. Your best bet for hiking this Grandfather State Park spot is from April to October. 

It’s quite difficult to get through this trail from late fall to early spring, so it’s best to stick to the warmer months.

While it’s said this trail is dog friendly, you might want to use your best discretion. Towards the top, the trail can require some strenuous hiking and even some scrambling. Depending on how athletic your pup is, you may want to go this one alone. 

You’ll get great views at 1.3 miles in and the turnaround point. Towards the peak, you’ll find some fairly steep grade hiking, but on the whole, it’s a relatively gradual ascent and descent. 

10. Daniel Boone Scout Trail to Calloway Peak

Cattoway Peak
  • Length: 7 miles
  • Difficulty: Strenuous
  • Time Required: 4 hours
  • Distance From Boone: 16 miles

That pesky Calloway Peak is back. While not the only game in town, it certainly looms large when it comes to local hiking for those looking to challenge themselves. 

This way to Calloway Peak is located in the Pisgah National Forest and is arguably the middle of the road in terms of ways to bag Calloway Peak. Plus, it’s a loop, and that always helps with morale!

You’ll have a gradual ascent for the first half and pick up 2,000 feet of elevation in the process. While you’ll have 3.5 miles to do so, this is still no easy task. Expect a couple of good scrambles, with the first coming around a mile in.

There will be plenty of company on this trail if you get a good weather day, especially at the summit. While often cloudy at the top, it’s worth the work no matter what!