Quick Guide to Hiking the Outer Banks
The Outer Banks of North Carolina are a beachy paradise for hikers, offering miles of stunningly beautiful scenery and plenty of adventure. With its sandy beaches, crystal waters, and lush forests, the area is home to some breathtaking hiking trails. From winding boardwalks through maritime forests to rugged coastal trails with spectacular views out over the Atlantic Ocean, there’s a trail for waiting you.
Best Places to Hike in Outer Banks
- Currituck Banks Reserve: is a great place to go hiking. It has lots of beautiful trees and plants. You can see the ocean from some spots. There are paths you can walk on that will take you through different parts of the reserve. It’s a great place for an adventure!
- Kitty Hawk Woods Preserve: is a stunning and secluded area in the Outer Banks. Located between the towns of Kitty Hawk and Southern Shores, the preserve offers over 4 miles of trails that meander through a maritime forest of live oaks, loblolly pines, and juniper trees. The trails also feature boardwalks and bridges that give hikers spectacular views of the marshlands.
- Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve: is a must-visit destination for any hiker in the Outer Banks. Located right off Highway 12, the preserve offers 6 miles of trails that take you through an incredible variety of habitats including coastal wetlands and maritime forests. There are two main loops, the Nags Head Woodland Nature Trail and the Nags Head Woods Trail. Both trails offer stunning views of the ocean and plenty of wildlife. It’s a great place to go for a peaceful stroll or a rigorous hike!
- Buxton Woods Coastal Reserve: is a stunningly beautiful reserve that covers over 1,000 acres and is located right near the ocean. It offers an incredible variety of habitats including maritime forests, dunes, and wetlands. There are several trails to explore including the Buxton Woods Trail which runs through the woods.
- Hammock Hills Nature Trail is located near the Roanoke Sound, the trail offers views of the SoundFront and its surrounding marshlands. The trail is made up of two loops, a one-mile loop which winds through maritime forests, and a second loop that takes hikers over the sound on a boardwalk. The trail also offers several observation platforms where you can watch for wildlife such as eagles, ospreys, and wading birds.
- Jockey’s Ridge State Park: is located in the town of Nags Head, the park offers several miles of trails that take you through sand dunes and maritime forests. The trails offer spectacular views over the Roanoke Sound, as well as plenty of opportunities to view wildlife. It’s also a great place for bird watching, with birds such as red-tailed hawks, and blue herons.
Outer Banks is Such an Awesome Place to Hike
After reading this we hope you come explore these amazing places in the Outer Banks. If you’re planning on coming out to OBX for some outdoor time, please take a look at some of our accommodations. We actually have some rentals near places to hike!
