As you guys know if you’ve been following this blog for more than a hot second, Ryan and I absolutely love hiking. It’s something we fell in love with when we were dating and it’s a hobby we’ve continued to enjoy for years. We’ve scoped out awesome hiking trails every place we’ve lived – when we lived in Orlando we loved Weikwa Springs and our favorite Ocala trails were located in Silver Springs State Park – and it didn’t take us long to find a favorite hiking trail after we moved to the Charlotte area.
When you ask many Charlotte residents where to go for great hiking relatively close to the city, many people will point you toward the Whitewater Center (love it!) or Crowders Mountain. Crowders Mountain is a great recommendation and a wonderful hike but it’s almost always a little too popular to feel like you’re getting away from everything and enjoying the quiet calm of nature.
Our go-to recommendation for those who want to get out and explore and experience some of the best hiking in the area is to make the drive up to Lake Norman State Park in Troutman, North Carolina and hike the Lake Shore Trail. For today’s post, I wanted to share five reasons why this trail needs to make it on your must-do list if you live in Charlotte or ever find yourself close to the Queen City!
5 Reasons to Hike the Lake Shore Trail at Lake Norman State Park
- Dog Friendly
I have a feeling you guys knew this one would be on the list! One of our requirements for a great hiking trail is for the trail to be dog-friendly. Sadie is our favorite furry hiking companion and watching her run all over the place and bound about is the epitome of joy. I love seeing other hikers out with their dogs and the Lake Shore Trail is dog-friendly without being dog-overloaded. We generally see two or three dogs during a two-hour hike on the trails and, in the summertime, I think everyone loves the way the trail offers multiple lake-access points where dogs can hop in the water to cool off for a bit before continuing the hike.
- 5-Mile Loop and Moderate Difficulty
The Lake Shore Trail is a little over five miles long and usually takes us around two hours to complete. In my mind, this is the perfect hiking distance for a long morning or afternoon hike that feels both challenging and rejuvenating. The hike is one large loop which I also appreciate since I’m not the biggest fan of out-and-back trails. (You get to see more with loops and I don’t find myself fixating on when I’ll get to the turnaround point.) If you’re in the mood for a shorter hike, the Lake Shore Trail also offers a 3-mile option (the Short Turn Trail) which we’ve done on occasion, though the longer hike is my favorite.
- Lots of Wooden Benches and Lake Overlooks for Snack and Rest Breaks
Ryan and I used to power through a two-hour hike and not stop for breaks but now that we bring Chase along with us in the hiking backpack, our pace is a little slower and breaks happen with more frequency. The Lake Shore trail has no shortage of wooden benches along the trail and little outcroppings that overlook the lake that make the perfect snack or rest spot!
During our hike last Sunday morning, we sat on a log on the rocky lakeshore to dig into our snacks and hydrate! I packed an assortment of fresh fruit, almonds, carrot sticks and protein bars, as well as hint water – a bottle for each of us!
(I packed a sippy cup for Chase but clearly he wanted a “big boy bottle” like Mom and Dad.)
We’ve loved and purchased hint water for years (both the sparkling water and regular flavored water) and since we’re not soda drinkers in our house, we love the way hint adds a little flavor and pizazz to our water without any added sugars or preservatives. It feels like a treat and the taste is so light and refreshing without tasting artificial. My favorite flavors are watermelon (they are the first brand ever to successfully make watermelon taste like watermelon and not like bubblegum!), pineapple, blackberry and peppermint.
True story: My mom and I immediately text each other whenever we see the peppermint hint water for sale around the holidays and it was actually a past Things I’m Loving Friday fav! We are both obsessed!
If you would like to give hint a try, you may check out the variety 12-pack or select a flavor that pops out at you on the hint website and use the code PBF20 for 15% off any purchase!
- Well-Marked and Easy to Navigate
Ryan and I have found ourselves on a handful of trails that were not very well marked in the past and it can be frustrating, tiring and even unnerving! The Lake Shore Trail is extremely well marked with both mile-markers and white diamond blazes (more than 400 of them!) hammered into the trees to make it easy to know you’re on the right track at all times.
- Great Hiking Every Season of the Year
We’ve hiked the Lake Shore Trail at Lake Norman State Park every season of the year and I can honestly say there is not a bad season to hike this beautiful trail. In the summer the trees provide ample shade from the hot sun. The spring brings about beautiful blooming flowers while the winter offers a quieter hike with more visible lake views thanks to bare trees. The fall is, without a doubt, my favorite time of year to hike the Lake Shore Trail thanks to the vibrant leaves and brilliant orange, yellow and red colors that surround you as you hike the gorgeous loop. It’s worth checking out every season of the year, that’s for sure!
Question of the Day
If you were going to recommend a hiking trail in your area to someone new to your area, where would you tell them to go?
Though this hike is quite a bit further, I’d also encourage anyone in the Charlotte area to make the drive out to Stone Mountain for an incredible hike with stunning views.
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Disclaimer: Use of the coupon code PBF20 for 15% off at drinkhint.com expires 8/31/2017 at 11:59 pm PST. Though this blog post is sponsored by hint, I do not receive additional income from purchases made through the links in this post. Code applies to one time purchases of hint® water, hint fizz®, hint kick™ or hint® sunscreen. Excludes subscriptions, packs, and bundles. Cannot be combined with any other promo codes or offers. Other exclusions may apply.
Angie (@NewSouthernLife) says
We just started hiking here in GA and we LOVE it!! I never really wanted to or had the idea till we moved to an area away from the beach!! I think the peppermint one would be my absolute favorite! Anything that flavor is so so refreshing! I hear good things about Redtop mountain in my area.. we are going to check it out soon! 🙂
Julie says
Georgia has some amazing hiking!!! Glad you are enjoying it! <3
Karen says
Love Hint! Best non sweet flavored water out there. I like the Mango Grapefruit, Pineapple and Pomegranate. Have never seen the Peppermint. Sounds awesome.
Julie says
the peppermint is a shy little flavor! i’ve only seen it around the holiday season! it’s so refreshing!
AManda @amanda-isms says
I moved on a few hours from flat eastern shore Delaware to Maryland last year and I have grown to love hiking! I had know idea western Maryland got so hilly and beautiful. I would recommend Sugarloaf Mt and Patapsco state park 🙂
Maureen Feeney says
I live in New Jersey and am trying to find a good hiking trail for my boyfriend and I to do. I have you and Ryan to “blame” for my desire to go hiking 😉
https://maureengetsreal.wordpress.com/
Juliette | Namastay Traveling says
We’re visiting Lake Norman soon to check out some neighborhoods in the area! Hiking i by far our favorite day date to do together, this was a great overview on where to go! Hint’s one of my favorites too 🙂 Not too sweet, and the perfect pick me up!
Julie says
So fun! You have to check out Lake Norman State Park for sure! The hiking is amazing and there’s also lake access there so you can swim if you want to!
Alexis deZayas says
This looks like so much fun! I’m looking forward to going hiking in Pennsylvania next month 🙂
Carrie this fit chick says
I love Hint!! They make great flavored water. So great for the summer time and to make cocktails with! You and Ryan totally inspire me to do more hiking!
Patricia @Sweet And Strong says
Mmmm those water flavors sound delicious and refreshing! And Lake Norman sounds like my kind of hike. I like it to be long and challenging and not overcrowded. We have a few small hiking trails in our area, but I prefer trails that over looks the water.
Audrey says
I love Hint water as well! Watermelon is my favorite flavor. For hiking in the New England area, I would definitely recommend Mount Monadnock in New Hampshire.
https://jonandaudadventure.wordpress.com/
Jenny says
Hint is awesome. My girls are super picky and this was one of the only way she my oldest would drink water for a while.
Soraya says
Love your hat!! Where is it from????
Julie says
Thank you! It’s Calia by Carrie Underwood and I got it at Dick’s Sporting Goods for around $25!
Aimee says
One of my fondest memories growing up was hiking with my family – I’m glad my parents got me hooked on hiking at an early age because its still one of my favorite things. Hopefully Chase feels the same!
Traci | The Petite Chef says
My husband and I love hiking every so often, too! There’s just something so relaxing about being in the middle of the woods to clear my mind and calm me down.
I currently live in Southern Connecticut, and I would recommend Mianus River State Park in the Greenwich/Darien area and Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden, CT (a bit further north)! Both are most amazing during the New England fall, but everything is nice and green in the spring and summer. Hiking is not really an option during New England winters, though. 😉
Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona says
Hiking is favorite activity of mine too. I’m very lucky to live in Calgary, which is only a hour’s drive away from the mountains. There’s so many gorgeous hikes to pick from when I’m in Kananaskis or Banff.
One of my favorite hikes is Grassi Lakes. You hike up an old fire road to two beautiful lakes. The water is incredibly clear and you can see right down to the bottom of them. You also get some amazing views of the other nearby mountains.
One of my favorite easier hikes is Lower Bank head, which takes you down into a valley with the remains of a ghost town. The town was built around a col mine in the early 1900’s. When the mine shut down, the town was done too. It’s pretty cool to see what’s left of the buildings.
Arielle M says
Morrow mountain state park in Albermarle is great too! Many trails of multiple lengths and difficulties! The mountain hike had a bathroom, water fountain, and benches also.
Emily @ Pizza & Pull-ups says
Yum, I love Hint. I have never seen their sparkling variety in the store, but will have to look for them. Hope you have a nice day!
Katie says
love all these pictures!! <3 Such a beautiful family! Ps. where is your hat from?
Julie says
Dick’s Sporting Goods but the brand is CALIA by Carrie Underwood! 🙂
Rachel says
Just wanted to drop by to say I love how authentic all your sponsored posts are – it’s so cool that you had mentioned the brand almost three years ago, and now are working with them today! That’s so awesome.
Bethany says
I absolutely love Hint water. So refreshing and just enough flavor to keep water interesting!
Julie says
Totally agree!!
Amanda F says
Hiking is a favorite activity for my husband and I as well. We are lucky that we live in area (Greenville, SC – not too far from Charlotte) with so many wonderful trails nearby. If someone were to ask me for advice, I would have to consider the level of difficulty. My two favorite trails are in Table Rock State Park (Pinnacle Trail) and Jones Gap State Park (Raven Cliff Falls); both of these hikes are definitely strenuous but dog friendly 🙂 If someone were to request a moderate hike, I would suggest one of the Falls at Dupont State Forest or the closer Paris Mountain State Park (along with a trip to our waterfall downtown
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West says
Gotta have a flavored beverage on a hike, that’s for sure. I wish my little dog could handle a hike better hehehe, but he is more of a short-walk kinda guy. Cute pics, Julie! 🙂
LeeAnn says
Fish Creek Falls is always a winner if you are in Steamboat Springs, CO! Just be careful of the moose 😉
Cindy Smith says
Is Hint Water sold in retails stores or do you have to order it online? I would love to try the flat flavored one! Thanks!
Julie says
Both!! I’ve bought it at Fresh Market, Harris Teeter and Target in our area!
Cindy Smith says
Thanks!
Bethany says
We love hiking as well! We are exactly going today! =)
Erinn says
So basically you’re telling me I need to check out some hiking trails near me! So far all we have been to is the Crabtree Falls hike – it’s a shorter out and back hike with awesome views of a waterfall.
We moved back to Virginia from Florida last year and we have been to Silver Springs! Not the most challenging of trails but still fun 🙂
We hiked a lot more during college, my husband and I both went to Virginia Tech in Blacksburg VA and there are some great hikes out there in the mountains! We have done the Cascades, McAfee Knob, Dragon’s Tooth, and Kelly’s Knob.
I can’t wait to get back out and hike once our little girl gets bigger!
Betty @ bettysbalance.com says
In the Portland area, Multnomah Falls is by far the most popular. It is an incredible hike and an incredible sight. Another wonderful, and lesser known hike, is called Catherine Creek. It’s also in the gorge, and you have 3 route options. One of them is paved and stroller friendly. The other two are not, but are only 2-2.5 miles long and safe for little ones (no cliffs or anything). You are rewarded wth a spectacular view overlooking the gorge on both of those. Highly recommend this one!
Also, thanks for the Hint water recommendation! Can’t wait to try it.
Carrie says
I just moved to North Charlotte from Rock Hill (right over the SC border!) and i hiked the Riverwalk trail at minimum once a month. They just connected it to another part of the trail to make it longer, but they have several shorter options. They get kind of busy on the weekends because of all of the river access but my dog loves it and I like it so much that every once in a while I’ll drive back over to hike there before I hike at the parks near my house! They have lots of wildlife to see but I haven’t seen a snake yet. PS yes watermelon hint!!
Danelle says
We live in Northern Utah (less than a year) and this place has definitely made me a lot more “outdoorsy”!! So far I’ve only done 2 hikes but they are both hikes I would recommend to anyone visiting. They are both waterfall hikes: Adams Canyon and Waterfall Canyon. They are out and backs however the scenery is SO beautiful in the mountains that I don’t feel I concentrate on when I’ll get to the turn around (which is the waterfall). The waterfalls are breathtaking and very impressive, especially in the spring because of the snow melt! If you ever find yourself in Northern Utah you should check them out!
Alyssa says
Love finding good hiking trails. Thanks for the recommendation! And I LOVE Hint water! Watermelon and blackberry are my favorite too!
amy says
We live in Charlotte and I want to give this a try- what address should I put in Waze to get us to the start of the trail? Thank you in advance!
Kelli @ Hungry Hobby says
I LOVE hiking! Our (hubby and I) first date was a super long hike in Tucson, Arizona. Now with our dog, it surprises me how many trails are not dog friendly so annoying! I bet carrying chase makes it an even better workout!
Madeline says
Looks like a great family hike for sure– I love seeing dogs and kids on trails, makes it a family affair. I haven’t seen that water anywhere, but I’ll be on the lookout! We have a great park near us in Greenville called Paris Mountain and my favorite thing to do their is actually mountain bike. We have friends with bikes that let us go with them and it takes a lot of concentration on the downhill, but it’s fun!
Jaclyn says
You have the cutest little family! ? I’ve been following your blog for years- but this is my first time actually saying hi! My boyfriend and I are slowly starting to get into hiking so I’m loving your posts even more than usual lately.
Nicole says
Great post! The trail looks beautiful. If you’re ever in Ohio, Hocking Hills has some great trails with waterfalls, caves, etc. The terrain has quite a few hills so, It feels less like you’re in flat OH.
Marie says
Did I miss the Friday Favorites? I always look forward to that. 🙂 Just wanted to say that I love that the things you recommend are actually things you really love. So even though some may be sponsored, I trust that you really do love it. I’ve gotten so many things from your Friday Favorites. Love your blog!
Kristen says
I love your hat!! Where’s it from? Hiking with the family is fun ?
Julie says
It’s CALIA by Carrie Underwood but I got it at Dick’s!
Sophie says
Hi Julie! Love your long sleeve shirt in the first pic of you and Sadie! What brand is it? X
Julie says
Lululemon! 🙂 I got it 2(ish) years ago!
Juanita says
We’ve been in Charlotte for almost 10 years and haven’t made it out to this trail, can’t believe it! Will most definitely check it out!
Michelle says
Hi Julie! Thanks for the tip. I noticed that Sadie might be a Vizsla! My husband and I are new to the area but we started a small group called Viz Whizz North Carolina on Facebook where some of us get together for hiking with our Vs. would love to team up with you on the trails!