New to area, looking for travel and a hang

[Lunar]

Howdy ladies and gents,

I am new to the area (Fayetteville, NC 28303) and fairly new to hiking/hanging. I have googled and youtubed for weeks and haven't found the prime spots for hiking and hanging so I thought I would ask the veterans here.

I am looking for a spot or two that I can hike a good distance in and out (20 miles round trip or more) and hang fairly freely in the woods.

I don't mind driving a fair distance (3-4 hours) but I would prefer the closer the better.

I have heard of the AT and I am really interested in that but it is about the max I want to drive and that would be more a 3+ day trip. I am really looking for something I could hit on the weekends and test out gear, get seasoned, and develop strategies before I hit parts of the AT.

Is there such a place around me or am I stuck to 5 mile trails and concrete pads?