Thousands of miles of trails twist, meander, dip and climb through the peaks and valleys around Asheville. In this world-class hiking destination, you can take your pick from peaceful hikes along mountain streams and technical scrambles up steep terrain; hikes that are short and sweet and multi-day adventures. You decide!
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a National Parkway that bends and turns for 469 miles through 29 Virginia and North Carolina counties. It is well known for its scenic beauty and many hiking trails. The Blue Ridge Parkway has over 120 hiking trails ranging from short “leg stretchers” that lead to a scenic view to longer trails for the more serious hikers. Taking a ride on the Blue Ride Parkway is like nothing else, from the mesmerizing views, to the pull offs where you can enjoy a picnic and take in the fresh, crisp mountain air, to the wildlife you may see along the way. Its truly magical and something everyone should experience!
Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park is a nature lover`s paradise with a collaboration of spectacular views and incredible hiking trails. They combine to create a mountain adventure experience that is postcard perfect. You can make the climb up 500 steps to get to the top or take a elevator ride up to then marvel at the 75-mile panoramic views of Hickory Nut Gorge and the beautiful Lake Lure in the distance. Although the view at the top of Chimney Rock is the highlight, there is plenty to do in the area to make a day out of it!
A short drive (20 miles) from downtown Asheville takes you up, up, up on the Blue Ridge Parkway to mile-high Craggy Gardens. The Great Craggy Mountains are an area of exposed rock surfaces and high peaks that provide breathtaking views of distant southern Appalachian ridges. Large expanses of native rhododendron cover the slopes and summits of the Craggies. The area has long been known as Craggy Gardens. Throughout the summer, smaller native wildflowers cover the ground with vibrant splashes of color. Not only is there breathtaking panoramic views but you can pick a trail and go for a hike that delivers even more exceptional views, plants and wildlife. There is a picnic area with many tables, a visitors center, and multiple hiking trails so you can make a day of it!
Location: 364 Blue Ridge Pkwy, Black Mountain, NC 28711
DuPont State Recreational Forest is an outdoor lover`s dream with many waterfalls and 86 miles of trails on protected 10,000 acres. Located between Brevard and Hendersonville, it`s and easy 40-mile drive from Asheville. Most visitors flock to the three-mile roundtrip hike to three waterfalls (Hooker, Triple, and High Falls), but there`s so much more to explore! Take a variety of waterfall and lake hikes, or trek to the top of Cedar Rock or Stone Mountain for mountain views. It`s also one of North Carolina`s best mountain biking and horseback riding areas. DuPont is open everyday from 5AM to 10PM and admission is free.
Graveyard Fields is a very popular hiking trail on the Blue Ridge Parkway (Milepost 418.8) south of Asheville. The Yellowstone Prong is the water source for two waterfalls in a mile-high valley filled with wildflowers and surrounded by the 6,000-ft. peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The area got its name years ago from the tree stumps that looked like grave stones in a graveyard setting. The trees were toppled by a huge wind several hundred years ago. Then in 1925, an intense fire burned the recently logged area, and the forest has been slow in recovering since. It`s one of the few hiking places along the Parkway with restrooms! Take a short hike to a beautiful waterfall or a much-longer 3.5-mile loop through the meadow to a second waterfall.
The popular Hickory Nut Falls trail takes you to the bottom of one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River. Reward yourself with a magnificent view from the base of this 404-foot natural wonder. It was featured in the epic film, “The Last of the Mohicans.” This cool, refreshing stop is a must-see during your visit to Chimney Rock! This moderate hike is 1.4 miles round trip. It is an out-and-back hike and takes the average hiker about 45 minutes to and hour to complete. It is recommended for families with small children, however, we do not suggest strollers or wheelchairs.
Mount Mitchell, located near Burnsville in the Black Mountain range of the Blue Ridge Mountains, sitting at 6,684 feet above sea level, is the highest point in the eastern United States. Mount Mitchell is part of an intricate mountain system featuring some of the oldest and most complex geological formations on earth. You can drive nearly all the way to the summit, making it easy to explore this natural wonder. At the summit, there`s an observation deck, a museum, shops and restrooms. If you go on a clear day you can see as far as 85 miles from the observation deck! The view from the summit is amazing, but there are many trails you can hike to explore even more, and its free for all to enjoy!
Hike to the top of Asheville`s most iconic landmark. Mount Pisgah can be seen from many places throughout Asheville. Mount Pisgah`s trail is a popular place for outdoor recreation. The hike is moderate at 2.6 miles round-trip and takes about 1-2 hours to complete. If hiking on a clear day, once you reach the observation deck you can see Cold Mountain to the west, and Pisgah Inn, Looking Glass Rock and Frying Pan Mountain and Tower to the southwest. Behind you, to the north, the most prominent thing is the TV transmission tower for the local ABC affiliate. Mount Pisgah Trail does not disappoint and is well worth the visit! They also having a parking area available right off the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Looking Glass Falls is one of the most popular and beautiful waterfalls in North Carolina and is perhaps the easiest to view (one of the few accessible roadside waterfalls, making it perfect for folks with mobility and walking challenges.) The name “Looking Glass Falls” comes from Looking Glass Rock, where water freezes on its sides in the winter and glistens in the sunlight like a mirror or looking glass. The impressive waterfall is 60 feet tall and has steps that lead down to the falls for a close-up view. You can even venture onto the rocks in the stream below the falls and do some wading and swimming when water flow is low!
