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Orange trail
Trail near Ocracoke
Trail Information
About
This is the loop portion of the Hammock Hills Nature Trail, a short walk through maritime "hammock" forest inside Cape Hatteras National Seashore, directly across from the entrance to the Ocracoke Campground. The full trail is lollipop-shaped — a straight stretch in, then a loop, then the same stretch back out — and this loop section winds through some of the highest natural ground on Ocracoke Island, a rare rise above the surrounding dune and salt marsh.
- Roughly 0.75 miles total for the full lollipop route
- Trailhead across from the Ocracoke Campground entrance
- Informative signposts along the way describe the hammock habitat
Partway around the loop, a raised platform opens onto a view of Pamlico Sound and the marsh that runs up to it — a good spot to pause before finishing the loop and retracing the stem back to the trailhead. The trail is unpaved and unshaded in patches where the canopy opens up, so sun protection and bug spray both help, especially in warmer months.
Best Time to Walk the Hammock Hills Loop
Cooler months make for a more comfortable walk, since the maritime forest canopy holds humidity and mosquitoes through the warmer season. There's no posted seasonal closure — the trail is accessible year-round as part of Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
Tips for the Hammock Hills Loop
- Bring bug spray in warmer months — the forest canopy traps humidity along the trail.
- Don't skip the raised platform partway around the loop — it's the only sound view on the route.
- The trail is short enough to pair easily with a stop at the Ocracoke Campground or a drive down to the village.
Getting to the Hammock Hills Loop
The trailhead sits directly across NC-12 from the entrance to the Ocracoke Campground, within Cape Hatteras National Seashore. No separate parking fee or permit is required.
What to Expect on the Hammock Hills Loop
This short loop trail crosses one of Ocracoke Island's rare stretches of high ground — a maritime hammock forest rising above the surrounding dune and salt marsh. Expect dense tree cover, informative signposts describing the habitat, and a raised platform partway around the loop with a view over Pamlico Sound, before the path loops back to the straight stem leading out to NC-12.
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