12 Refreshing Hikes in North Carolina That’ll Make You Forget It’s Summer
When summer heat turns up, North Carolina’s mountains and forests offer perfect escapes. These refreshing hikes lead to cool waterfalls, shaded forests, and breezy mountain tops where you can catch a break from the scorching temperatures. Pack your water bottle, lace up your hiking boots, and discover these natural air conditioners across the Tar Heel State.
1. Linville Falls
The roaring waters of Linville Falls tumble dramatically through a three-tiered cascade before plunging into the rugged Linville Gorge. Multiple trails ranging from easy to moderate offer different perspectives of this natural wonder.
Families love the Upper Falls viewpoint, accessible via a gentle 1.6-mile round trip hike. More adventurous hikers can challenge themselves on the Chimney View or Erwins View trails for spectacular panoramas.
The constant mist rising from the falls creates a natural air conditioning effect, instantly cooling overheated hikers. The dense forest canopy provides welcome shade throughout most of the journey.
2. Moore Cove Falls
Hidden just off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Brevard lies a magical forest secret. The easy one-mile trail to Moore Cove Falls winds through a lush hardwood forest carpeted with ferns and wildflowers, making it perfect for hikers of all ages.
What makes this waterfall special isn’t its height, though the 50-foot cascade is impressive. It’s the remarkable cave-like formation behind the falls that draws visitors. You can actually walk behind the curtain of water without getting completely drenched.
The temperature drops noticeably as you approach the falls, creating a natural respite from summer heat. The constant gentle spray feels like nature’s own misting station.
3. Catawba Falls
Just 25 miles east of bustling Asheville, Catawba Falls offers a wilderness escape that feels worlds away from civilization. The 4-mile round trip journey follows an old railway bed alongside the cascading Catawba River, with several small creek crossings adding adventure to your trek.
Ancient trees create a dense canopy overhead, keeping temperatures surprisingly comfortable even on the hottest days. The trail culminates at a 100-foot multi-tiered waterfall that spreads across a wide rock face.
Stone outcroppings near the base provide perfect picnic spots where you can relax to the soothing sounds of rushing water. The constant breeze generated by the falling water keeps the area noticeably cooler than surrounding trails.
4. DuPont State Forest (Triple/Hooker/High Falls)
Movie buffs might recognize these spectacular falls from films like “The Hunger Games” and “The Last of the Mohicans.” The popular 3-mile loop in DuPont State Forest delivers not just one, but three magnificent waterfalls in a single hike.
High Falls steals the show with its 150-foot cascade over a massive granite face. Hooker Falls creates a wide, gentle curtain perfect for photographs, while Triple Falls lives up to its name with three distinct tiers of rushing water.
The well-maintained trail connects all three falls, offering plenty of shade and cool water breezes along the way. Large flat rocks at the base of Hooker Falls create a natural wading area where hikers can dip their feet in the refreshing mountain water.
5. Skinny Dip Falls
Don’t let the playful name fool you – swimsuits are definitely required at this popular mountain swimming hole! Located at milepost 417 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the 0.9-mile trail to Skinny Dip Falls meanders through a magical forest landscape filled with twisted rhododendron tunnels and moss-covered stones.
Crystal-clear mountain water cascades down several rock ledges, creating a series of refreshing pools. The main pool reaches depths of about 6 feet – perfect for a cooling plunge on sweltering days.
Large boulders surrounding the pools provide natural diving platforms and sunbathing spots. The elevation (approximately 5,000 feet) ensures temperatures remain significantly cooler than in the lowlands, even during peak summer months.
6. Hanging Rock State Park – Lower Cascades Falls
A hidden gem within the popular Hanging Rock State Park, Lower Cascades Falls rewards minimal effort with maximum refreshment. The short 0.4-mile trail descends through a hardwood forest before revealing a stunning 35-foot waterfall plunging into a wide, shallow pool.
Stone steps and well-placed railings make this trail accessible for most fitness levels, though the return climb requires some exertion. The temperature drops dramatically as you approach the falls, creating a natural cooling zone that feels 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding areas.
Flat rocks around the pool’s edge provide perfect spots for picnicking or simply soaking your feet in the chilly mountain water. The amphitheater-like setting creates excellent acoustics, amplifying the soothing sounds of falling water throughout the area.
7. Whitewater Falls
Standing at a breathtaking 411 feet, Whitewater Falls holds the title of tallest waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. Unlike many spectacular natural wonders, this magnificent cascade requires minimal hiking effort – a paved quarter-mile walkway leads to the upper observation deck.
The thunderous roar hits you before the falls come into view. When you reach the overlook, the massive wall of water plummeting down the steep rock face creates an awe-inspiring spectacle that’s impossible to capture fully in photographs.
For more adventurous hikers, 154 stairs lead to a lower viewing platform that offers a different perspective. The powerful waterfall generates significant air movement, creating a natural cooling zone that provides instant relief from summer heat.
8. Mingo Falls
Located on Cherokee land just outside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Mingo Falls showcases the raw power of Appalachian mountain waters. The name “Mingo” comes from the Cherokee word for “Big Bear,” and the waterfall’s mighty 120-foot cascade certainly lives up to this powerful moniker.
The hike is short but steep – just 0.4 miles round trip. A series of 161 steps leads to a wooden bridge at the base of the falls, providing a perfect viewing platform for the spectacular sheet of water cascading down a near-vertical rock face.
Morning visits often reveal stunning rainbow effects as sunlight filters through the mist. The constant spray from the falls creates a microclimate several degrees cooler than surrounding areas, making this a perfect retreat during summer heat waves.
9. Graveyard Fields – Lower Falls
Despite its somewhat ominous name, Graveyard Fields offers one of the Blue Ridge Parkway’s most refreshing summer hiking experiences. The unusual name comes from tree stumps resembling gravestones after a massive wildfire and subsequent logging operations in the early 1900s.
The relatively flat 1.3-mile loop trail to Lower Falls winds through a high-elevation valley filled with wild blueberries in late summer. At 5,000+ feet elevation, temperatures here often run 10-15 degrees cooler than nearby Asheville.
The trail culminates at a picturesque 50-foot waterfall sliding down a smooth rock face into a small but deep plunge pool. Brave hikers can wade into the chilly mountain water for an invigorating natural cool-down that instantly washes away summer heat fatigue.
10. Paradise Falls (Tuckasegee)
Local swimming enthusiasts have kept Paradise Falls relatively secret for generations, but this natural playground has gradually gained popularity among heat-seeking adventurers. The half-mile trail descends through a mixed hardwood forest before opening to reveal a series of cascades and crystal-clear pools.
The main attraction features a 12-foot waterfall emptying into a deep swimming hole perfect for cannonballs and cliff jumps. Natural rock slides have been smoothed by centuries of flowing water, creating exhilarating rides into refreshing mountain pools.
Several flat rock outcroppings provide perfect sunbathing spots when you need to warm up. The surrounding forest keeps the area shaded during the hottest parts of the day, while the constant water flow maintains comfortable temperatures even during August heat waves.
11. Hawksbill Mountain Trail
For hikers seeking cool mountain breezes rather than waterfall mist, Hawksbill Mountain delivers unforgettable panoramic views with relatively modest effort. The distinctive rock formation resembling a hawk’s beak rises dramatically from the surrounding landscape in the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area.
The moderate 2.1-mile round trip trail climbs steadily through tunnels of rhododendron and mountain laurel, providing natural shade during the ascent. Blossoms create spectacular displays in early summer, adding vibrant pinks and whites to the green forest palette.
The summit rewards hikers with breathtaking 360-degree views of Table Rock, Linville Gorge, and the distant Blue Ridge Mountains. At 4,009 feet elevation, persistent mountain breezes provide natural air conditioning even on the hottest summer days, making this an ideal escape from lowland heat.
12. Elk River Falls
Just a stone’s throw from the Tennessee border, Elk River Falls packs remarkable natural beauty into an easily accessible package. The short 0.3-mile trail leads to a dramatic 50-foot waterfall where the full volume of the Elk River plunges vertically into a deep, circular pool surrounded by massive boulders.
The waterfall’s power is most impressive after recent rainfall, creating a thunderous roar that reverberates through the surrounding forest. Giant hemlocks and hardwoods provide ample shade along the short trail and around the main viewing area.
Large flat rocks surrounding the plunge pool create perfect picnic spots where families can relax to the soothing sounds of rushing water. The constant spray from the falls creates a refreshing microclimate that feels significantly cooler than the surrounding area.
