Runners rejoice! The Outer Banks is a runner’s haven with its many nature trails, marathons and bike trails that joggers and cyclists share. We've become known for our annual marathons, half-marathons, triathlons and 5K races. If you aren’t a runner, it’s okay; there are plenty of spots where you can take a pleasant walk or scenic hike. You might even choose to do all three – Outer Banks running, walking and hiking activities are quite complementary. Boardwalks, bike trails and nature trails weave you through woods, dunes, beaches and marshes. You could become so absorbed by the view that it easily turns a few meters into a few miles. Hiking may not seem like a common activity to associate with the beach, but if you visit any of the nature preserves, wildlife refuges or other reserves, you might be drawn to spend hours exploring this coastal wonderland. Check out the listings below to see what Outer Banks running, walking and hiking activities you can participate in during your vacation.
Outer Banks Things To Do by Area
Corolla | Duck & Southern Shores | Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills & Nags Head
Roanoke Island & Manteo | Hatteras Island | Ocracoke Island
Outer Banks Things To Do by Category
Outer Banks Running, Walking & Hiking
Milltail Road, off U.S. Highway 64, Manteo
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is a more than 164,000-acre refuge on the mainland portion of Dare and Hyde counties. It was established in 1984 to preserve and protect a unique wetland habitat type, the pocosin, and its associated wildlife species. Pocosin is a Native American word meaning ‘swamp-on-a-hill’ and is characterized by poorly drained soils high in organic material. The refuge's diversity of habitat types includes high and low pocosin, bogs, fresh and brackish water marshes, hardwood swamps and Atlantic white cedar swamps. Plant species include pitcher plants and sundews, low bush cranberries, bays, Atlantic white cedar, pond pine, gums, red maple and a wide variety of herbaceous and shrub species common to the East Coast.
The refuge has a large population of black bears and is one of the few locations where red wolves exist in the wild. It is a favorite of migratory ducks, geese and swans, and its wildlife diversity also includes wading birds, shorebirds, American woodcock, raptors, American alligators, white-tailed deer, raccoons, rabbits, quail, river otters and neotropical migrant songbirds. This wild Outer Banks attraction will put you in touch with parts of nature that city-bound people don't often have a chance to experience.
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge has great Outer Banks things to do – paddling trails, a wildlife drive and two wildlife trails for you to explore. Hunting and fishing opportunities also exist on the refuge. In non-COVID times the staff offers a variety of interpretive programs at different times of the year, including tram and van tours, canoe tours, red wolf howlings and a program about black bears. Open-air tram tours are offered weekly June through August (a fee and reservations are required). Canoe tours are offered three days a week June through August (fee and reservations required). Red wolf howlings are offered weekly June through August and monthly October, November, December and April and May (a fee is required). Call (252) 216-9464 to see if programs are being held and to find out details and make reservations, or go to the website.
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is a more than 164,000-acre refuge on the mainland portion of Dare and Hyde counties. It was established in 1984 to...read more
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is a more than 164,000-acre refuge on the mainland portion...read more
Outer Banks Running, Walking & Hiking
Be sure to visit the Duck Town Park and Boardwalk. This fabulous 11-acre soundside green space is tucked inside the Village of Duck. The soundside boardwalk extends nearly a mile along the Currituck Sound and connects the town’s commercial village area. Park amenities include an amphitheater, the Town Green, a playground, a public kayak/canoe launch, a crabbing area, a picnic shelter, walking trails through the maritime forest and accesses to the Duck Boardwalk. The park is pet-friendly and even provides a doggie water fountain near the playground area. Free, family-friendly activities are held here year-round. The Duck Jazz Festival takes place each October, and other seasonal events are held throughout the year. For a complete, up-to-the-minute list of events happening in Duck Town Park, go to OuterBanksThisWeek.com, visit townofduck.com or or check them out on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Be sure to visit the Duck Town Park and Boardwalk. This fabulous 11-acre soundside green space is tucked inside the Village of Duck. The soundside boardwalk...read more
Be sure to visit the Duck Town Park and Boardwalk. This fabulous 11-acre soundside green...read more
Outer Banks Running, Walking & Hiking
P.O. Box 265, Kill Devil Hills
Outer Banks Sporting Events is an event-planning nonprofit that organizes multiple fitness events throughout the year. One hundred percent of the net proceeds of these events supports two Outer Banks nonprofits – Outer Banks Relief Foundation and Dare Education Foundation – and this is why the slogan of Outer Banks Sporting Events is Run for a Reason. This organization hosts races like Running of the Leprechauns 5 and 10K in March, Flying Pirate Half Marathon in April, Outer Banks Triathlon in September, the Outer Banks Marathon (a Boston qualifier) and Southern Fried Half Marathon in November and more. All the events have after parties, finisher awards and activities for the whole family. Challenge yourself while giving back to the community. Volunteer opportunities are always available.
Outer Banks Sporting Events is an event-planning nonprofit that organizes multiple fitness events throughout the year. One hundred percent of the net...read more
Outer Banks Sporting Events is an event-planning nonprofit that organizes multiple fitness events throughout the...read more
Outer Banks Running, Walking & Hiking
Pine Island Audubon Sanctuary is one of only a few remaining examples of natural plant and animal assemblages that were once found in abundance on the...read more
Outer Banks Running, Walking & Hiking
The Town of Kill Devil Hills' Aviation Park is on Veterans Drive, near Kill Devil Hills Town Hall. The park includes a paved path and fitness trail that is...read more
Outer Banks Running, Walking & Hiking
Ocracoke’s beach has attracted increasing national attention as it worked its way up on Dr. Beach’s acclaimed annual list of 10 Best Beaches in the USA; he...read more
Outer Banks Running, Walking & Hiking
Pronounced “body,” this horizontally striped lighthouse is on the soundside at the southern end of Bodie Island in Cape Hatteras National Seashore. It re-...read more
Outer Banks Running, Walking & Hiking
Near the lighthouse on the National Park Service grounds is a 3/4-mile trail through the maritime forest of Buxton Woods. From N.C. Highway 12, turn onto...read more
Outer Banks Running, Walking & Hiking
Buxton Woods is one of the largest remaining maritime forests in the Southeast. It consists of pine- and oak-covered dune ridges interspersed with maritime...read more
Outer Banks Running, Walking & Hiking
This boardwalk cuts through a small portion of swamp forest and brackish marsh. The variety of flora and fauna you’ll see here is astounding. Sweet gum, red...read more
Outer Banks Running, Walking & Hiking
If one thing represents all of Hatteras Island, it has to be the famous black-and-white, spiral-striped Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. The lighthouse has...read more
Outer Banks Running, Walking & Hiking
This beautiful boardwalk and trail leads from the road to the sound, traversing through maritime evergreen forest, swamp forest and brackish marsh. Along...read more
