Hiking on the Outer Banks

Currituck Banks Reserve

Our list of hiking spots on the Outer Banks starts with the nothernmost part of the N.C. Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve, the Currituck Banks Reserve. Explore the 0.3-mile handicap accessible boardwalk to get a view of the maritime forest that surrounds the Currituck Sound and when you're ready to make your way off the main road, follow the 1.5-mile hiking trail that leads north towards the Currituck Sound itself. The reserve is open year-round and provides the perfect opportunity to see the beautiful marsh and estuary habitats of Corolla. Whether you're hoping to see one of the dozens waterfowl and other types of birds that call the reserve home through the year, or you're more interested in the flora and fauna of the northern Outer Banks, the Currituck Banks Reserve is both a pleasant addition to your vacation and yet another opportunity to get outside and explore.

The Currituck Banks Boardwalk and Maritime Forest Trail comes together at 1.9 miles out and back with an elevation of 6ft. Dogs are welcome and the trail offers a leasurely route, averaging about a 30-minute walk.

Address: 983 West Kitty Hawk Rd., Kitty Hawk, NC 27949 

Currituck National Wildlife Refuge

If you're looking for something a little more extensive, you may find what you want in one of the 6 separate parks that make up the Currituck National Wildlife Refuge. The preserve extends ten miles from Corolla to Virginia and includes upwards of 4,500 acres of beautiful, untouched landscape filled to the brim with some of the most unique flora and fauna on the Outer Banks. The Currituck National Wildlife Refuge is also a fantastic place to see the famous Corolla Wild Horses as they frolic through the sand and surf.

Most of the trails are easy while the Maritime Forest Trail, which is 0.7 miles off the beaten path of the boardwalk, is considered easy/intermediate and can be completed in about 45 minutes. The longer Audubon Nature Trail is 2.3 miles out and back with fantastic views of the sound. You'll find additional trails with more specific locations and distances here.

Address: Ocean Trail & N. Beach Access Rd., Corolla, NC 27927

Donal C. O'Brien Sanctuary and Audubon Center at Pine Island

For something a little more relaxing and less strenuous, the 2.5-mile nature trail in the Pine Island Sanctuary is a wonderful option. Enjoy the beautiful Loblolly Pines and unique maritime forests and swamps of the Outer Banks. During the summer, you'll be able to see osprey, egret, and terns while the winter is the best time of year to view Currituck Waterfowl and other brightly-colored migrating birds. The 2.5 mile one-way nature trail has two overlooks that give you an unforgettable view of the Currituck Marshes and Currituck Sound.

The trail was recently updated with new interpretive signs and graphics that makes this a fun, educational, and liberating trip.

Address: 300 Audubon Dr., Corolla, NC 27927

Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve

The Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve is located in Kitty Hawk and is nearly 2,000 acres of Dedicated Nature Preserve ecompassed by the Albemarle Sound and the Kitty Hawk Bay. As you'll see in our Guide to Plants of the Outer Banks, there are plenty of unique and rare types of plants that thrive in the maritime forest environment of wetlands and sound. There are seven protected plant species in the reserve as well as a wide variety of reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. Multiple hiking trails can be found at the end of Ridge Road, the end of Birch Lane, and the interaction of Amadas Lane and Colleton Ave. Find out more in the site brochure here.

Address: 983 W. Kitty Hawk Rd., Kitty Hawk, NC 27949

Wright Brothers Walkway

When you're visiting the Wright Brothers Memorial, the 2.9-mile Wright Brothers Walkway loop is an easy walking trail that takes around an hour to complete. The trail is open year-round and also serves as a great walking, running, and sight-seeing trail while you explore the rest of the memorial. You'll also find benches and picnic tables along the route that make this a spot for a leisurely walk as well as a challenging speed-walk while you enjoy the area. The trail surface is paved and smooth throughout.

Address: 1000 N. Croatan Hwy., Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Nags Head Woods Preserve

With the entrance located in Kill Devil Hills, the Nags Head Woods Preserve is one of the largest maritime forests along the East Coast encompassing over 1,400 acres across the towns of Kill Devil Hills and Nags Head. Designated a National Natural Landmark in 1974, The Nature Conservancy worked with the local community to preserve the unique ecosystem and protect its inhabitants. Since then, several hundred more acres have been donated and added to the Preserve by both landowners and the town of Kill Devil Hills. Here you'll find a wide variety of plants and animals that are protected by the maritime forest environment.

Nags Head Woods has more than 8 miles of walking trails, all of which can be found on the Nags Head Woods Preserve Trail Guide. Explore the landscape with trees more than a hundred years old, beautiful and brilliant ponds and dunes. Many of the trails are easy to moderate, while the Sweetgump Swamp and the Blueberry Ridge trails boast steep terrain.

Address: 701 Ocean Acres Dr., Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Jockey's Ridge State Park

 Often described as otherworldly, Jockey's Ridge State Park certainly feels like a place out of time with its massive, towering dunes, soundside beach access, and hang gliding lessons that offer an unbeatable view of the dunes. The eastern terminus of the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail, Jockey's Ridge State Park is also a fantastic, if somewhat challenging, place to go hiking. There are 2 miles of hiking trails at the main access and the soundside that give you the opportunity to explore the sand and gain admiration for the variety of wildlife that call this place their home. The Tracks in the Sand Trail offers a 1.2 mile out-and-back moderate trail with a 52ft elevation. Other fun activities including sandboarding, kiteboarding, and windsurfing after you've given the sand a treck, making this a great place to spend all day enjoing this unique ecosystem.

Address: 300 W. Carolista Dr., Nags Head, NC 27959

Thomas Hariot Nature Trail (Fort Raleigh National Historic Site)

 While you're in Manteo, maybe waiting for the chance to see The Lost Colony outdoor drama, be sure to spend some time exploring the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site where you'll find the Thomas Hariot Nature Trail. This 0.9 mile trail is relatively out-of-the-way and gives great views of the Albemarle Sound. The loop takes about 15 minutes to complete while you can also get a glimpse of historical sites and interpretive signs with information about the English landing on Roanoke Island.

Address: 1401 National Park Dr., Manteo, NC 27954

Freedom Trail (Fort Raleigh National Historic Site)

The Freedom Trail, also starting at the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, offers a lengthier trek of 2.4 miles out-and-back leading to the Croatan Sound. This trail is self-guided, but there are signs that highlight the history of the region. For regular hikers, this is a beautiful walking trail with full tree cover and plenty of wildlife while you enjoy the solitude. This specific trail highlights the site of the Freedman's Colony, which was a safe haven for African Americans during the Civil War.

Address: 1401 National Park Dr., Manteo, NC 27954

Buxton Woods Reserve

Located on Hatteras Island, Buxton Woods is part of the NC Coastal Reserve and a Dedicated Nature Preserve. Encompassing a little over 1,000 acres, the site borders the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The southern edge of Buxton Woods is a shrub thicket community while the inland part of the reserve is maritime evergreen forest. Occurring on a series of relic sand dunes, there is various elevation along the Reserve’s ridges and sedges which are flooded freshwater marshes. The Buxton Woods Reserve is located on Hatteras Island and can be accessed via the unpaved roads near Old Doctor's Road. The reserve is a Dedicated Nature Preserve and serves as an important stop for many migrating birds and home for many common mammals like river otters and white-tailed deer.

There are multiple trails on the reserve including the East Trail, Lookout Loop, Ridge Trail, and North Trail. The Sedge Trail has a reputation for being very wet. Parking and trail map information is available here.

Address: Old Doctor's Rd., Buxton, NC 27920

START PLANNING AN OBX VACATION

Whether the Outer Banks is a stop on your hiking tour of the East Coast, or you're looking for a calming change of pace while still getting your steps in, it's time to book your next Outer Banks vacation today! Take a look at our available rentals and book yourself the perfect Outer Banks beach vacation rental today. Whether you're looking for a two-person getaway space or a larger home for your whole family, we've got what you're looking for to make make the best use of your vacation days! Give our wonderful Guest Services Team a call today at (866) 884-0267 to get started planning your next epic Outer Banks getaway.

 

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About the Author: Lauren is a mom, author, and travel enthusiast. She grew up on the Outer Banks and only left for a few years to get degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill and the University of Nebraska-Kearney and complete a tour in the Coast Guard before making her way back to the beach in 2017. When she isn’t writing for the Seaside Vacations Travel Blog, Lauren can usually be found with a book and cup of tea in hand, planning her next travel adventure.