Fayetteville is home to some of the best hiking trails in North Carolina
Did you know that most hikers can hike around 8 miles every day? Whether or not you're a professional hiker or just like to do it for fun, there are plenty of hiking trails in North Carolina that you can enjoy as much (or as little) as you want. Even hiking in Fayetteville alone is engaging, and the trails there have a lot to offer.
But what kind of hiking trails are in Fayetteville anyway? Is one better than the other or better suited for beginners or experts? Keep reading and learn more about the different hiking trails in and around Fayetteville.
Cape Fear Botanical Garden
If you're not looking for an exhausting hike but still want to stretch your legs and enjoy some beautiful sights out in nature, the Cape Fear Botanical Garden is certainly what you want to visit. This is a rather tame hiking trail, and some might even consider it more of a path than a true hiking trail. But whatever the case, you can still get a good workout when walking through this large garden, and there is a lot of beautiful flora to enjoy.
Even if you're out of shape, this trail is gentle enough to keep you from overexerting yourself. As you hike through the garden, you will find that the plants are placed in such a way that you can view all of them easily just as you walk by. Many of the plants in the garden are not native to North Carolina, and some are even very rare species.
The Details
And, of course, the trail allows you to get up close to all of these interesting plants so you can see what makes them unique. To enter the botanical garden, you will have to pay a small fee of $10 per person. If you are going with a large group of people, this can get a little expensive, but even so, the views are certainly worth it, especially if you are an avid gardener or plant enthusiast in general.
The garden opens at 9 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. So, if you really want, you can spend the entire day walking around the hiking trail and exploring the gardens. If you happen to get hungry or thirsty when walking around the botanical garden, you can always go to the cafe situated near the entrance.
But what if you want to experience some more intense North Carolina hiking?
Carvers Creek State Park
Carvers Creek State Park is quite a large park and is one of the best activities in Fayetteville that you can enjoy if you love the great outdoors. You will find that locals from Fayetteville as well as people from other parts of the country, love to visit this park in particular for a variety of reasons.
First of all, it offers several hiking trails that span the entire park. Some trails are easier than others, so if you're still a beginner hiker, be sure to choose wisely and don't overexert yourself. Some are also much longer than others, so you should plan your hike ahead and make sure that you finish it on time.
For example, there is one trail that is 7 miles long. If you're not a very fast hiker or not very in shape, this hike will take you several hours, if not the whole day. On the other hand, if you are an expert hiker, you should be able to complete the trail in a few hours or so.
What you need to know
Be sure to bring some snacks and a bottle of water with you when hiking, so you don't get dehydrated in the middle of the path. The majority of these hiking trails offer great views of the entire park. You'll get to see meadows, forests, babbling brooks, and more.
This is not to mention that you're sure to stumble across some amazing wildlife while you're out and about. If you love to watch birds, you'll find that there are plenty of unique bird species living out in the Carvers Creek State Park, so be sure to bring your binoculars and a camera if you feel the need.
Smith Lake Recreation Area
The Smith Lake Recreation Area is another great place to stretch your legs and enjoy the natural views that North Carolina has to offer. As with Carvers Creek State Park, this park also boasts several hiking trails that run throughout the entire recreation area. Again, some trails are longer or more intense than others, so you should map out the trek beforehand and choose the trail that fits your experience level or fitness level.
There are plenty of hills to climb and many rushing rivers to pass by. If you don't really feel like hiking, you can also hang around by the rivers and try your hand at fishing. There are plenty of fish varieties that you can catch, such as bluegill and sunfish.
You can also test out your mountain biking skills on the trail if you feel the need. When you're done hiking, there are plenty of areas where you can relax and have a snack or something to drink.
All about hiking trails in North Carolina
If you're looking for great hiking trails in North Carolina, you won't have to look too hard. In fact, you can find plenty of hiking trails around Fayetteville alone.
Some offer more leisurely paths, while others offer some long or intense trails that venture through forests, meadows, and more.
To learn more about what North Carolina has to offer, don't hesitate to click here.
