The miles of wild terrain along the Outer Banks serves as an ideal locale for adventurous hikers, and vacationers who adore a good nature walk will find plenty of off-the-beaten paths to discover, from the national refuges and reserves located just north of Corolla to the small but well-manicured trails of Springer's Point on Ocracoke Island.

Virtually every section of the Outer Banks has a nature trail nearby that's just ready to explore. Birders, nature lovers, and everyday explorers would be remiss not to discover the miles of trails that are just waiting to be travelled in their local beach community. From scenic sandy paths that wind through ancient sand dunes to easy-to-navigate, and well-tended trails leading out to soundfront boardwalks or scenic overlooks, a hiker of every experience level will find a new route to cover on the Outer Banks.

Casual walkers can explore well-marked and smaller trails, like the one behind the Whalehead Club in Corolla, while experienced hikers can take off on long adventures through some of North Carolina's largest parcels of maritime forests, like the virtually unchartered territories of Buxton and Frisco Woods. On the Outer Banks, hikers can simply choose their own adventure, and enjoy miles of gorgeous sunsets and undisturbed coastal environments along the way. As one of the most unpopulated coastal destinations along the East Coast, the Outer Banks offers miles of grounds to explore.