Points of Interest

Hammock Hills Trail

A short loop through maritime forest that ends with open marsh and Pamlico Sound views

(56)

Ocracoke, NC

About

Hammock Hills Trail is a short, easy loop on Cape Hatteras National Seashore land on Ocracoke Island, not far from the campground and a quick drive from the village center. The path cuts through maritime forest — live oak, yaupon holly, wax myrtle, and other growth that has adapted to constant wind and salt spray — before crossing a boardwalk section at the edge of the salt marsh, opening onto a clear view across the water toward Pamlico Sound.

The trail is flat and shaded for most of its length, an easy walk for nearly any fitness level, with interpretive signs explaining how the maritime forest buffers the island from wind and shelters wildlife the open beach can't. It's a solid pick for birdwatchers or anyone looking for shade and quiet between beach stops. There's no fee and no permit required — just pull off at the marked trailhead and start walking.

Flat, mostly shaded loop through maritime forest habitat
Boardwalk stretch over salt marsh with Pamlico Sound views
Interpretive signage on coastal forest ecology
No fee, no permit, open year-round

Reviews (56)

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4.3

56 reviews

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Tiffany Hawkins

5 months ago

We went to this place to see the sunset. It was beautiful. You can drive down a nice maintained gravel road to the sound side and walk out to the water to take pictures.

Michael

2 years ago

Beautiful examples of a Maritime Forest. I absolutely loved it, but it's not for everyone. Plenty of signage installed along the trail of common flora and fauna. Also aspects of teaching about conservation. Not a very long loop, but again there are some not as interesting portions of the trail. It can be humid, windless, and a little buggy at times. The trail passes through different aspects of Maritime Forest (secondary dunes, marsh, etc.). It has a pretty view of the sound from marshland, but I wish the trail made it all the way to the sound. Wear big spray and water.

Joe Montgomery

4 months ago

Really cool trail that winds through the dunes and thick wooded areas with a much more secluded feel than I expected. Once you hit the boardwalk the path branches off, and we ended up taking the side toward the marsh overlook first before looping back around the opposite direction. The trail layout can get a little confusing because signage is pretty limited, so it’s easy to second guess where you’re going, but the nature plaques scattered throughout helped keep us on track and made the walk more interesting. After some recent rain there were a few muddy sections and the mosquitoes were definitely out in full force, but overall it was still a great hike with a peaceful atmosphere and some really nice scenery the deeper you get into the woods.

Kimble Webb

2 years ago

Nice trail thru the dune woods. The trail splits into a loop at the boardwalk so if you follow the all trails route to the right to the marsh overlook. You can then continue to the left and it will loop back around to the boardwalk. The trail is not marked well but there are several nature plaques along the way. It was a bit buggy and some muddy spots on our trip.

Brittany Jordaan

a year ago

Very short, easy trail to navigate. Watch for crabs as you walk (: When you get to the end, note that there is no shore to explore down. However, it is one of the prettiest sunset spots in Okracoke!