– The 10 Best Blue Ridge Parkway Hikes in Asheville, NC

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What comes to mind when you think of Asheville? Asheville is known for being one of the most beautiful areas in western North Carolina. Some of these hiking trails are part of a larger trail network called the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. This impressive 1,mile trail begins at the Tennessee border and runs through Asheville, connecting to ten state parks and three national forests along the way.

Whether you are a brand-new hiker or an experienced mountaineer, Asheville hiking will be rewarding. With the help of this guide, you will be able to plan your next great adventure on the best hikes in Asheville, NC! The acre Asheville Botanical Gardens is located just over a mile north of downtown at the University of North Carolina at Asheville.

This is an easy shaded half-mile loop that features more than species of plants and wildflowers native to the Appalachian Mountains. This is a family-friendly trail that would be a great introduction to hiking. Along the trail, you will encounter a babbling creek and plenty of great picnic spots. And keep your eyes peeled for the historical marker that commemorates where the Battle of Asheville took place at the end of the Civil War!

This trail is both family-friendly and dog-friendly which makes it perfect for a weekend outing. Bring the whole family to pick delicious blueberries with stunning mountain views. You will take this trail to get to Black Balsam Knob. As the trail starts, you will hike through a lush forest with rocky terrain before arriving at a meadow with panoramic views. Bring a picnic for the summit, and then gently descend the way that you came. Tall grasses, wildflowers, scrubs, and blueberry bushes cover scenic mountain balds.

You will begin by hiking through a dense forest and twisted, knobby trees to a grassy meadow at the summit. At the peak, the degree views of this high-elevation dreamscape will stun you. This trail is beautiful in many seasons as the rhododendrons are blooming in June, and blueberries are ripening in late summer.

Max Patch is a scenic mountain bald nestled in the southern Appalachian Mountains. This trail begins at a parking area along a gravel road. You will follow the white blazes of the Appalachian Trail up a gradual open climb with panoramic views that only get better as you go.

You then briefly enter a dense green tunnel before emerging again on the bald as you ascend to the top of Max Patch. The summit is a great place to have lunch and enjoy the views!

About one mile in, you will leave the white blazes and veer right to follow the Max Patch spur trail back to the trailhead and parking area.

This trail may not be very long, but the one-mile loop sure offers some incredible panoramic views! This trail summits Mount Mitchell , which stands at feet. Despite this, hiking through the mist and foggy forest will still leave you in awe. The trail then connects to the Balsam Nature Trail through a high-elevation forest that provides gorgeous vista views.

The trailhead is also inside the Black Mountain Campground. You will begin by hiking through a tunnel of rhododendrons. As you continue, you will begin to climb up stone-cut steps. These will bring you to the pinnacle which boasts epic panoramic views of mountain vistas and dramatic rocky outcroppings. This summit is said to have some of the best sunsets in North Carolina!

And for a bonus, hike this trail in June during peak rhododendron bloom for the most gorgeous views. Mount Pisgah is an iconic landmark in Asheville, North Carolina, and it can be seen from many surrounding mountain summits. After leaving the trailhead in the Pisgah National Forest, the trail begins relatively flat as you hike through rhododendrons and mountain laurel. From there, you begin a steep climb through a hardwood forest that eventually leads to a series of rock steps.

You will be stunned by the vista views at this 5,foot summit with an observation platform. Once you reach the summit of Mount Pisgah, you can see another legendary peak in Asheville: Cold Mountain.

After taking in all the views, you descend the same trail in which you came. This trail is known for its beauty and unique history. The trail begins at a small parking lot and follows the Mountains to Sea Trail to the east.

On the way to Rattlesnake Lodge, a breathtaking view of rocky outcropping above the Blue Ridge Parkway. Along this trail , you will hike through a hardwood forest along a narrow historic road to the remains of an estate dating back to the s. The lodge got its name because of its infamous living room ceiling covered in rattlesnake skins. This trail is especially beautiful during the autumn months due to the breathtaking fall foliage colors.

This trail follows peaks and ridges and touches some of the highest points in the Black Balsams. Many hikers describe this trail as equal parts stunning and challenging, as it boasts some of the most beautiful views of the Pisgah National Forest.

This trail is also dog-friendly, so make sure to bring yours along for this backpacking adventure! The trail starts at the parking lot and quickly ascends through evergreen and rhododendron forests. It then becomes rugged and includes multiple cable assists, so this is where experience is needed. You will use cables and ladders to summit the sheer rock face of MacRae Peak. The next summit is just over a quarter-mile up the trail and offers gorgeous views of dramatic rocky outcroppings.

Many hikers will choose to turn around after summiting the Attic window, but you can continue just over one mile to Calloway Peak, which is the highest of the three at 5, feet. The difficulty of this trail is well worth it as the high-elevation views are unmatched. Table Rock Mountain is a flattened peak with a rocky summit, and the trail leading up to it provides stunning panoramic views of the surrounding Linville Gorge.

Some avid hikers even say that the views from this summit are some of the best in North Carolina! Your journey begins at a trailhead off of a Forest Service Road. From there, you will steadily climb an ascending stone staircase surrounded by craggy cliffs and dense green shrubs.

At the apex, the wide expanse of exposed granite will leave you awestruck by its rugged beauty. After completing this hike, you will understand why! This easy to moderate hiking trail gives you a glimpse of some of the most beautiful falls in the region. Family-friendly, dog-friendly. Start from the Hooker Falls Access Area parking lot. Hike through dense evergreen and hardwood forest. Hooker Falls is peaceful and quaint. From there, go back the way you came until the pedestrian bridge.

Walk along Little River to the base of Triple Falls, much steeper. Continue to reach High Falls. This moderate hiking trail begins at a visitor center off of the Blue Ridge Parkway near milepost From there, it crosses over the Linville Falls which cascades over a massive cliff and pools into the basin below.

The trail then enters an old-growth forest before yet another beautiful view of the falls at the Chimney Rock overlook. Begin for a hike at the parking lot to make the quarter-mile jaunt over to the base of the falls.

Swimming is allowed at the waterfall, but rocks are slippery so swim at your own risk. This trail is family and dog-friendly, so make sure this one is on your list for waterfall hikes for the whole family! Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Additional menu. Asheville Botanical Gardens Trail 1. Black Balsam Knob Trail 1.

Craggy Gardens Trail 1. Craggy Pinnacle Trail 2. Mount Pisgah Trail 2. Art Loeb Trail 3. Grandfather Mountain Trail 3. Linville Falls 4. Looking Glass Falls.

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Places to hike near asheville nc – places to hike near asheville nc.Asheville hiking: our top 10 favorite trails

 
Rattlesnake Lodge Milepost The trailhead is located right off the Blue Ridge Parkway at mile Experienced hikers and rock climbers can continue on to a challenging hike to the stunning Upper Catawba Falls. Max Patch is a popular mountain located near the Tennessee-North Carolina border.

Places to hike near asheville nc – places to hike near asheville nc –

Sun-drenched, grassy mountain balds reach skyward, covered in wild blueberries and abundant wildflowers. Crystal-clear trout streams tumble over moss-covered boulders, cascading in currents of whitewater and tumbling over breathtaking waterfalls. Towering ridge lines frame plunging valleys here in the southernmost stretches of the Appalachian Mountains, some of the oldest mountains in the world. Nestled in the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains of Western NC, our town is well-loved for its vibrant culture, abundant arts, fantastic cuisine, and close proximity to some of the best trails in the South.

Grab your backpack, favorite boots and hiking gear, and hit the trail for some seriously stunning views and some sweet-scented fresh mountain air. Wherever your adventures take you, please remember to always leave no trace to help preserve the beauty of these forests and wilderness areas.

And please follow these tips for good trail etiquette to help make sure everyone has an equally enjoyable time. Climbing 6, feet into the clouds, the Mt Mitchell summit is the highest east of the Mississippi, and on a clear day, offers simply breathtaking views from the top.

Explore exceptionally beautiful high-elevation forests on this two-trail loop, catching soaring views from the summit and looping through a lush, fragrant, mossy forest of balsam fir trees on the Balsam Nature Trail.

This hike on the Mountains to Sea Trail follows an old gravel road through a scenic forest, catching beautiful views above the Parkway from an angled rock outcrop.

The route ends at the remains of Rattlesnake Lodge, a once-grand s summer estate, and explores the stacked-stone foundations of the lodge, swimming pool, barn, and several other structures. And the surrounding forest is simply outstanding in autumn! At the summit, wind-blown grasses frame wildflowers and blooming flame azeleas in spring, and views stretch to the neaby crag at Craggy Pinnacle and far into the rolling blue yonder. A large communication tower borders the viewing platform at the summit — but the views of neighboring summits are well worth the climb, including the nearby Fryingpan Mountain.

Wildflowers by the millions, wind-blown grasses, and some of the best views in Western NC fill this popular trail. Be sure to arrive early to score a parking spot, and please help prevent trail erosion by staying on the trail and following these easy leave no trace tips. The Graveyard Fields Trail loops through a spectacularly beautiful valley just below Black Balsam Knob , diving through tunnels of gnarly-branched rhododendron and following wooden boardwalks through lush fields to visit several tumbling waterfalls.

Go to their website. Many options, easy to moderate Located just 10 miles south of downtown, the Arboretum has 10 miles of easy to moderate walking and biking trails. Fawn Lake and Lake Julia are great swimming holes, too. Many spring wildflowers. Just 18 miles from downtown Asheville. You will climb to a rock outcropping for beautiful views of the river and town. It’s a romantic spot, but don’t leap!

A new hiking trail takes you to the base for a great view. Climb over 3, ft. This challenging, mile hiking trail with spectacular views includes popular Black Balsam Knob. This trail is located in Pisgah National Forest and is a great option for multi-day backpacking since there are many campsites along the high ridges and balds.

Blue Ridge Parkway Milespost It’s easy to extend the hike in the network of trails. The bare rock profile named Devil’s Courthouse is sinister in appearance and legend. The hiking trail is gentle – you can also mountain bike or horseback ride.

It’s near the Pisgah Forest Horse Stables, and they offer guided horseback rides to the falls. Great spot for wildflowers. The hike is only a minute drive from downtown Asheville. You can extend the hike since it is part of the Mountains to Sea Trail. There are many hiking trails in beautiful Cataloochee Valley, home to the elk.

A quick favorite is the one-mile Rough Fork Trail along the cascading stream. An uphill, paved trail takes you to the top for panoramic views from the observation tower. Sterling 5, ft. You will climb 2, ft. The popular Profile Trail is a 7-mile roundtrip, strenuous trek up to the highest peak. Great place for a cool walk on a hot summer day.

From world-renowned hiking trails like the AT to lesser-known gems, see our favorite 10 hikes from the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, nearest the Asheville area.

Free access area near Lake Lure. Up to 5 miles, easy to moderate The trail network at Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site in the village of Flat Rock takes you through the farm by ponds, barn with goats, historic home and to the top of Glassy Mountain. Free admission.

Mitchell from its staircase. Parkway Milepost This paved path in Pisgah National Forest was formerly part of Old US Highway 70, winding through the woods with views of the mountains, railroad and forest. While the trail is only 3. You climb about 1, ft. This state park with a beautiful lake has seven hiking trails and a beach for relaxing afterwards.

Video Tour Save to Trip. The hike near Clingmans Dome is not overly strenuous but includes a good bit of uphill and rocky sections. And you won’t see the crowds that you find on other hikes in the Smokies. This cascade in Pisgah National Forest is about a 1.

It’s along the Flat Laurel Creek Trail that follows an old logging road and railroad grade. Find hiking trails ideal for children that aren’t too long or strenuous with kid-friendly highlights like waterfalls, picnic areas, paved trails for strollers and more. Also find tips for hiking with kids in Western NC! Accessed by an easy one-mile roundtrip hike. Or hike a four-mile loop.

It’s an easy drive from downtown Asheville! Perfect for strollers, wheelchairs and scooters. The stone fire tower on top affords fabulous views as your reward for the climb. Drive to or hike the Appalachian Trail to enjoy the panoramic mountain views from atop the historic lookout tower near Hot Springs.

Located near Daniel Ridge Falls is a waterfall on a beautiful two-mile hike that includes a second, smaller cascade. It’s also located near the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education. With more than miles of public hiking trails, including the highest trails in the eastern United States, Burnsville has been called the Hiking Capital of Western North Carolina.

Our favorite is High Shoals Falls 2. Combine several trails for a much longer hike. Take a “walk in the woods” in the most scenic sections of the 2,mile Appalachian Trail near Asheville, high in the North Carolina mountains. See our favorite six-day hikes for all fitness levels. My Trip Planner. Also See. Best Cabin Rentals, Asheville Mountains. Waterfalls Near Asheville: 60 Favorites. Top Bed and Breakfasts in and around Asheville. Get Our Free Email Updates. Receive a monthly digest of top seasonal events, attractions, activities and travel giveaways in Asheville and NC Mountains.

Check this out! Be “on top of the world” with these mountaintop summit hikes in the western North Carolina mountains near Asheville with panoramic views of the mountains and valleys. Find hikes for all fitness Before you explore waterfalls and hiking trails in the North Carolina mountains, please see our below safety tips to help you in planning the perfect trip!

Waterfall Safety Tips While there are While possibilities in our many national and state parks and forests are endless, here are some of our favorite places and Enjoy the great outdoors of the North Carolina mountains with these paved trails, perfect for wheelchairs, strollers, scooters and those with mobility challenges. These are also great for small Don’t like to hike alone?

Join a guided or group hike in the North Carolina mountains and meet fellow hikers that love the outdoors. Here are some places to find guided hikes near Asheville:The The Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina are known for their stunning natural beauty, offering locals and visitors a variety of casual and adventurous outdoor activities.