Family-Friendly Outer Banks Hiking Trails

By Carl Hedinger
Sep. 29, 2020

The beach and the terrific dining scene get plenty of attention, but the Outer Banks also has some excellent trails waiting to be explored. If the kids are traveling with you, that works out beautifully, because many local paths are a great fit for younger hikers.

You also don’t have to worry about being too far away. These trails sit within an easy drive of nearly every Outer Banks town. Here are seven favorite kid-friendly hikes, moving from North to South.

Duck Town Park Boardwalk

Following the sound side through Duck, the Duck Town Park Boardwalk stretches nearly a mile and links much of the town together. It’s a pleasant place for an easy walk, with Currituck Sound views likely to steal your attention. This accessible trail also makes it simple to reach many Duck shops, so you can wander while deciding what to do next.

Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve

Nags Head Woods is one of the largest maritime forests on the East Coast. Since becoming a preserve, it has documented more than 150 species of birds, 550 varieties of plants, and 20 mammals. Several trails here are easy, and the accessible half-mile loop trail is especially well suited for kids, with scenic viewpoints along the route.

Jockey’s Ridge State Park

Visitors often head to Jockey’s Ridge for hang gliding, sandboarding, and kite flying, but Jockey’s Ridge has some of the best kid-friendly hiking in the Outer Banks. The park is the eastern terminus of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, and children can enjoy running across the sand or taking on the Soundside Nature Trail, a mile loop.

For families who want something a bit more demanding, the Tracks in the Sand Nature Trail covers 1.5-mile across dunes toward the Roanoke Sound. That trail also begins at the Visitor Center.

Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge

Pea Island is a major draw for birders worldwide, and it also has a pair of trails that work well for kids. The half-mile North Pond Wildlife Trail brings you to pretty Pamlico Sound views, while the shorter Salt Flats Wildlife Trail gives you a look at the North Pond. Since this spot is such a birding favorite, bring binoculars and a bird identification guide so the outing can be fun and educational.

Buxton Woods

Buxton Woods on Hatteras Island is the largest forest on the Outer Banks, though its trails are often missed by visitors. A kid-friendly route starts at a small picnic area near Hatteras Lighthouse. This 3/4-mile loop passes through some of Hatteras Island’s highest points, with migrating birds adding plenty of sound along the way.

Sea Breeze Trail Through Hatteras Village Park

For one of the simplest kid-friendly walks, try the Sea Breeze Trail through Hatteras Village Park. The route is quite short, but it is well kept and includes educational markers as you go. The trail crosses maritime forest and salt marsh, and much of it is accessible.

Hammock Hills Nature Trail

Hammock Hills Nature Trail on Ocracoke is a 3/4-mile loop where families can see a variety of seaside vegetation. The path also crosses some of the island’s highest ground, and halfway through the trail you’ll reach the best view of Pamlico Sound. As with several other hikes on this list, birding is a highlight here, so keep the binoculars close.

Which Kid-Friendly Hikes Will You Try First?

The Outer Banks beaches, towns, and restaurants can easily fill your schedule, but these trails are worth making time for. Once you head out, which one will you explore first? If you already know some of them, which are your favorites?

Author

Carl Hedinger and Christina Riley are the travel bloggers behind NCTripping.com, a travel blog focused on all of North Carolina, including things to do along the Outer Banks and the NC Bucket List. The source page includes a personal note from Carl Hedinger about getting to know the Outer Banks beaches through many trips from Durham, NC.

Categories: Family Fun

Tags: Duck, Nags Head, Kitty Hawk, Buxton, Hatteras