NC Piedmont Hiking

[Tennessee Viking]

I have a possible job opportunity in Central North Carolina, and having been around East Tennessee mountains, I am wondering what the NC Piedmont and surrounding areas have to offer for hikes and camping.

I am only aware of the MST is being routed from Pilot Mountain down to Falls Lake. Are there any good overnight trails in the area, or what NC state parks are other exploring? I see there is Uwharrie and Croatan National Forests, what type of trails or camping do they have?

[Jan LiteShoe]

I have a possible job opportunity in Central North Carolina, and having been around East Tennessee mountains, I am wondering what the NC Piedmont and surrounding areas have to offer for hikes and camping.

I am only aware of the MST is being routed from Pilot Mountain down to Falls Lake. Are there any good overnight trails in the area, or what NC state parks are other exploring? I see there is Uwharrie and Croatan National Forests, what type of trails or camping do they have?

Where in central NC? You're situated well for a dash to either the mountains or the sea.

Here's some general info:
http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/
and
http://www.americantrails.org/resources/statetrails/NCstate.html
and
http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/main.php


The Uwharries themselves:
http://www.cs.unca.edu/nfsnc/recreation/uwharrie/index.htm


Don't forget kayaking either - we have a number of very sweet designated river trails, with camping on islands or sand banks:
http://www.canoenc.org/canoe.htm
and
http://www.trails.com/stateactivity.aspx?area=10698

The Lumber River, one of the state's four "wild and scenic' designees is my favorite for camping and paddling, spring-fed, blackwater,sandy-bottomed:
http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/luri/main.php

It's a great state for outdoor recreation.

[BR360]

In addition to what Jan Lieshoe said,

From Charlotte:


the Blue Ridge is 1.5 to 2.5 hours away;
The Smokies are about 2 hours away;
Nearby (45-60 minutes) are Crowders Mountain State Park and Kings Mountain National Historic Park. Both have hiking. Both are usually crowded on the weekends.
the Uwharries are about 1 hour away .

From Winston-Salem-Greensboro-High Point:


the Blue Ridge Parkway is about 1.5 to 2 hours away;
Mount Rogers (VA) is 2 to 2.5 hours away;
Roanoke, VA area is 2 hours away;
Mount Mitchell is 2.5 hours;
the Smokies are 2.5 hours (Cataloochee area) to 3.5 hours (Newfound Gap).
Also, Pilot Mountain State Park is 30-45 minutes away. Hanging Rock State Park is also 30-50 minutes away. Both have great day hiking. The Sauratown Trail connects them both---it is about 25 miles long, but backpacking is not allowed, as it crosses largely private hiking-only easements.
the city of Greensboro has some nice day-hiking along its northern lakes.
The new Haw River State park (20-30 minutes north of Greensboro) has great hiking...soon there will be backcountry camping permitted.
the Uwharries are 45 minutes south of Greensboro, more for WS, less for High point.

From Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill:


add about 1 to 1.5 hours to everything for Winston-Greensboro-HighPoint.

If your job is located somewhere more central (i.e. Asheboro), you'll be closer to the Uwharries, but further from the Blue Ridge (add maybe 30 to 90 minutes from either Charlotte or Winston-Greensboro-HP.

Hope this helps.

[Tennessee Viking]

Grand central Raleigh

[Summit]

Uwharrie National Forrest is the closest mountainous hiking to the Triangle. The Black Mountains (near Asheville) and the Roan Highlands section of the AT are under 4 hours away.

[jaweidler]

The Uhwarries are really something you can do after work from central NC. There is nothing super spectacular about the Uhwarries though, it really is just a nice place to escape and breath the air and hike and camp and be outdoors backpacking. If you live here you soon learn to value it highly. There is a 20 mile figure 8 of HWY 24, I have done this many times within a regular 2 day weekend. If you get here and want to check it out I will go with you just PM me.

[Bear Bag]

In addition to what Jan Lieshoe said,



Also, Pilot Mountain State Park is 30-45 minutes away. Hanging Rock State Park is also 30-50 minutes away. Both have great day hiking. The Sauratown Trail connects them both---it is about 25 miles long, but backpacking is not allowed, as it crosses largely private hiking-only easements.


Hope this helps.

Good info, but just to pick a nit... backpacking is fine. The Sauratown Trail is a part of the Mountains to Sea Trail (see link to the web site below). It's the camping that isn't allowed.

http://www.ncmst.org

Have fun, and welcome to our beautiful state.