New to area, looking for travel and a hang

**Lunar** · 06-26-2013, 19:25

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?

**gunner76** · 06-26-2013, 19:34

Close by would be Raven Rock State Park to teh north, short hike (about 2.5 miles )to primitive camp grounds with lots of trees.

Uwharrie Nation Forest west of you with some longer trails.

Neusiok Trail down here on the coast with lots of places to hang (check out my site on the trail)

Stone Mt State Park has lots of hiking and hanging sites.

Then you are getting into the mts and the AT and numerous other trails, Linvelle Gorge ect ect.

**Tacoma96** · 06-26-2013, 19:42

Welcome to the forums. I like the Falls Lake area also.

**Lunar** · 06-26-2013, 19:52

Originally Posted by gunner76

Close by would be Raven Rock State Park to teh north, short hike (about 2.5 miles )to primitive camp grounds with lots of trees.

Uwharrie Nation Forest west of you with some longer trails.

Neusiok Trail down here on the coast with lots of places to hang (check out my site on the trail)

Stone Mt State Park has lots of hiking and hanging sites.

Then you are getting into the mts and the AT and numerous other trails, Linvelle Gorge ect ect.

Gunner76,

I did a search on this forum and saw your efforts with that spreadsheet, well done and thanks. Do any of the sites you mention have a long trail (like 10 miles one way?) Most of the places I am running into is like 3-5 mile trails and I am really looking to use this as exercise.

Tacoma,
Thanks! and Thanks for the quick replies!

**Lunar** · 06-26-2013, 20:54

oh yeah, this sounds like a good trail for me.

Uwharrie Nation Forest
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc...49832&actid=51

It has everything I think I need. Dispersed camping, looped trail so I don't have to hike back the same way, and dead wood fire burning. Does anyone have any input on this trail? Thank you for your time!

Lunar

**TallPaul** · 06-26-2013, 21:18

I agree with Uwharrie NF.
I've done a little hiking there - millions of place to hang a hammock.

A little father away:
Mountain to Sea trail
Linville Gorge & Pisgah NF in general

**Demeter** · 06-29-2013, 23:08

If you want to go with a group or with someone with some knowledge of specific area before you go out alone, check out meetup.com. I am a hike organizer for the DC Backpackers meetup and we have trips all over. A great way to see some new areas and let another person figure out the details.

There are meet ups all over the country for hiking and backpacking. Lots of different personalities and management styles...