Hiking Trails
Alleghany County is the perfect headquarters for hikers!
Miles and miles of exceptional trails can be found along the
Blue Ridge Parkway, the Mountains to Sea Trail, Doughton Park, and many other areas. Find the trail that is best suited for you below!
Sparta and Mountains to Sea Loop
Head out on this 4.0-mile loop trail near Sparta, North Carolina. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 46 min to complete. This trail is great for birding and hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring.
Distance
Trail Type
Difficulty
4.0 mi
Loop
Moderate
Bluff Overlook to Bluff Mountain
Enjoy this 3.5-mile out-and-back trail near Laurel Springs, North Carolina. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 39 min to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking and running, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day.
Distance
Trail Type
Difficulty
3.5 mi
Out & back
Moderate
Bluff Mountain Trail
Enjoy this 7.8-mile out-and-back trail near Mc Grady, North Carolina. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 21 min to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
Distance
Trail Type
Difficulty
7.8 mi
Out & back
Moderate
Doughton Park Trail
Explore this 15.9-mile loop trail near Hays, North Carolina. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 8 h 3 min to complete. This is a popular trail for backpacking, camping, and hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
Distance
Trail Type
Difficulty
15.9 mi
Loop
Hard
Bluff Ridge Primitive Trail
Get to know this 5.8-mile out-and-back trail near Laurel Springs, North Carolina. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 19 min to complete. This trail is great for camping and hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring.
Distance
Trail Type
Difficulty
5.8 mi
Out & back
Moderate
Wildcat Rock Overlook
Try this 0.2-mile out-and-back trail near Traphill, North Carolina. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 5 min to complete. This trail is great for birding and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
Distance
Trail Type
Difficulty
0.2 mi
Out & back
Easy
Fodder Stack via Bluff Mountain
Experience this 8.1-mile out-and-back trail near Traphill, North Carolina. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 32 min to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
Distance
Trail Type
Difficulty
8.1 mi
Out & back
Moderate
Flat Rock Ridge Trail
Head out on this 13.0-mile point-to-point trail near Laurel Springs, North Carolina. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 25 min to complete. This trail is great for birding and hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
Distance
Trail Type
Difficulty
13.0 mi
Point to point
Hard
Wildcat Rock and Fodder Stack
Discover this 1.2-mile out-and-back trail near Laurel Springs, North Carolina. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 45 min to complete. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
Distance
Trail Type
Difficulty
1.2 mi
Out & back
Moderate
Cedar Ridge Trail to Brinegar Cabin
Head out on this 8.7-mile out-and-back trail near Traphill, North Carolina. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 5 h 0 min to complete. This is a popular trail for birding and hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
Distance
Trail Type
Difficulty
8.7 mi
Out & back
Hard
Basin Creek Trail
Head out on this 10.1-mile out-and-back trail near Hays, North Carolina. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 33 min to complete. This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
Distance
Trail Type
Difficulty
10.1 mi
Out & back
Hard
Caudill Cabin Trail
Try this 9.4-mile out-and-back trail near Traphill, North Carolina. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 24 min to complete. This trail is great for birding, fishing, and hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are March through October. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
Distance
Trail Type
Difficulty
9.4 mi
Out & back
Moderate
Alligator Back Overlook and Bluff Mountain
Try this 9.9-mile out-and-back trail near Mc Grady, North Carolina. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 5 min to complete. This trail is great for backpacking and hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
Distance
Trail Type
Difficulty
9.9 mi
Out & back
Hard
Flat Rock Ridge to Grassy Gap Fire Road Loop
Discover this 12.5-mile loop trail near Mc Grady, North Carolina. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 9 min to complete. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and running, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
Distance
Trail Type
Difficulty
12.5 mi
Loop
Hard
Grassy Gap, Bluff Ridge and Cedar Ridge
Enjoy this 12.7-mile loop trail near Mc Grady, North Carolina. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 32 min to complete. This trail is great for backpacking, camping, and hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring.
Distance
Trail Type
Difficulty
12.7 mi
Loop
Hard
Doughton Recreation Area Loop
Enjoy this 16.5-mile loop trail near Traphill, North Carolina. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 8 h 18 min to complete. This trail is great for backpacking, camping, and hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
Distance
Trail Type
Difficulty
16.5 mi
Loop
Hard
Scott Ridge and Mahogany Rock
Experience this 7.4-mile loop trail near Sparta, North Carolina. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 35 min to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The best times to visit this trail are March through September.
Distance
Trail Type
Difficulty
7.4 mi
Loop
Moderate
Devil’s Garden and Widow’s Creek
Explore this 1.2-mile out-and-back trail near Hays, North Carolina. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 40 min to complete. This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring.
Distance
Trail Type
Difficulty
1.2 mi
Out & back
Easy
Devil’s Garden to Stone Mountain Loop
Check out this 8.4-mile loop trail near Hays, North Carolina. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 5 h 11 min to complete. This trail is great for backpacking, camping, and hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring.
Distance
Trail Type
Difficulty
8.4 mi
Loop
Moderate
Air Bellows Overlook, Devil's Garden Overlook , Widow's Creek Loop
Explore this 8.0-mile loop trail near Sparta, North Carolina. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 14 min to complete. This trail is great for backpacking and hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring.
Distance
Trail Type
Difficulty
8 .0mi
Loop
Moderate
Saddle Mountain
Discover this 2.9-mile out-and-back trail near Ennice, North Carolina. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 33 min to complete. This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring.
Distance
Trail Type
Difficulty
2.9 mi
Out & back
Moderate
Gully Creek Trail Loop
Discover this 2.2-mile loop trail near Ennice, North Carolina. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 33 min to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The best times to visit this trail are May through October. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
Distance
Trail Type
Difficulty
2.2 mi
Loop
Hard
Fisher Peak Loop
Enjoy this 2.9-mile loop trail near Galax, Virginia. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 23 min to complete. This trail is great for hiking and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
Distance
Trail Type
Difficulty
2.9 mi
Loop
Moderate
River Run and Hickory Trail Loop
Check out this 2.1-mile loop trail near Scottville, North Carolina. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 49 min to complete. This is a popular trail for camping, hiking, and running, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
Distance
Trail Type
Difficulty
2.1 mi
Loop
Easy
Veteran's Memorial Park Loop
Enjoy this 0.5-mile loop trail near Sparta, North Carolina. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 9 min to complete. This trail is great for walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring.
Distance
Trail Type
Difficulty
0.5 mi
Loop
Easy
Air Bellows Overlook Trail
Enjoy this 8.0-mile loop trail near Sparta, North Carolina. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 14 min to complete. This trail is great for backpacking and hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring.
Distance
Trail Type
Difficulty
8.0 mi
Loop
Moderate
Upper Scott Ridge
Explore this 7.4-mile loop trail near Sparta, North Carolina. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 35 min to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The best times to visit this trail are March through September.
Distance
Trail Type
Difficulty
7.4 mi
Loop
Moderate