We asked avid hiker and photographer Jim Ogden to tell us about some hikes you might never have heard of…but you should. Unless otherwise captioned, all of these photos are the property of Jim Ogden and are used with permission. 

These three hikes are hidden gems, and are all within an hour and a half drive from Charlotte. Also, read on for some smart tips for beginning hikers.

Our library of hikes

40 Acre Rock

40 Acre Rock
2207 Conservancy Rd, Kershaw, SC
Difficulty Level: Easy
Elevation Gain/Loss: 100ft/100ft
Hike Distance: 2 miles round trip
Cost: Free
51 miles from Charlotte

Just an hour and a half southeast of Charlotte is a place that will make you think you traveled to the moon. 40 Acre Rock is a unique stone with large craters filled with water and plants found only at this location.

The hike to the rock is a short one. You’ll walk .6 miles on a flat trail from the small parking lot directly to the rock.

For the best adventure, arrive at the parking lot 30 minutes before sunrise.

The trail is wide, well-maintained, and easy to hike in the dark with a flashlight or a head lamp. Bring a camp chair if you’d like to sit and watch the sun come up.

Once the sun is up, it’s time to find the waterfall. Walk to the bottom left of the rock and you’ll find a trail. Walk another .3 miles on this trail, and you’ll find the small waterfall.

There is also another, larger waterfall, and a creek to explore. The walk to the rock is very easy and flat. The walk down from the rock to the waterfall (and back up) is steep. Watch your step, because there are plenty of roots and rocks that could trip you up. The trails are not well marked.

Peak to Pass Section of the Palmetto Trail

Peak to Pass Section of the Palmetto Trail
Address: Alston Trailhead Palmetto Trail State Road S-20-35, Little Mountain, SC
Difficulty Level: Easy
Elevation Gain/Loss: 10ft/10ft
Hike Distance: up to 11 miles out and 11 miles back (but shorter options available)
Cost: Free
86 miles from Charlotte

A family friendly hike is waiting for you an hour and a half southwest of Charlotte. The Peak to Prosperity Passage section of the Palmetto Trail holds plenty of opportunity for exploring and adventure.

It won’t take long to hit the highlight of the trail. Just steps from the well maintained parking lot stands an impressive 1100-foot railroad trestle.

Stand on the bridge a watch for bald eagles soaring in the skies and take in the views of the Broad River.

Continue on the trail for as long as you like. There are 11 miles from the starting point to explore, depending on how much time you want to spend there.

The trail is easy to walk on , and it’s dog and kid friendly. If you are a runner, this would be a great spot to get in miles. It’s flat and easy running.

As you hike along, you’ll find other smaller trestles along this trail that cross a winding stream. If you can handle a 5 mile round trip hike, there is a trestle with stairs down to small beach.

It’s a great spot to stop for a snack and relax before you turn around and head back.

For the best experience, plan to do the 2.5 mile out and 2.5 mile back hike. Try to time getting back to the first trestle to watch sunset on the bridge.

Rocky Face Mountain Recreation Area

Rocky Face Mountain Recreation Area
Address: 3451 Rocky Face Church Road, Hiddenite, NC 28636
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Strenuous
Elevation Gain/Loss: 698ft/698Ft
Hike Distance: 3.6 miles round trip
Cost: Free
55 miles from Charlotte

You could follow the masses and hike the trails at Crowder’s Mountain, or you could travel to a place where you might just find some solitude.

Rocky Face Mountain in Hiddenite, NC, just over an hour from Charlotte, won’t have you elbow to elbow at the top. You’ll have space to relax, have a picnic, and take in similar views to Crowder’s Mountain at the summit.

The Hollow Rock Trail hike is a moderate to strenuous one with a steady uphill starting from the rock formed stairs. You’ll climb up on the green blazed Grindstone Connector Trail for 1 mile.

Then, you’ll come to an intersection of trails. Here you’ll follow the red blazes around the Hollow Rock Trail Loop. This will provide views from two amazing overlooks.

Return back to the parking lot the way you hiked in. We highlighted the Hollow Rock Trail, but we suggest exploring all the trails here. Also, it’s fun to watch the climbers from the parking lot.

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