Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville, North Carolina is a top destination for outdoor adventurers. With its breathtaking landscapes, world-class attractions, and variety of outdoor activities, it is no wonder it is beloved by so many. Popular attractions in and near the area include the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Biltmore Estate, and the Chimney Rock Park. For the best trails and outdoor activities, try the Appalachian Trail, the Pisgah National Forest, and the Nantahala National Forest. Asheville offers something for everyone, from beginner hikers to experienced climbers and beyond. With so many exciting outdoor activities and attractions to explore, you will never run out of things to do in Asheville.
Top Spots in and near Asheville
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Brevard, North Carolina
Camp at Davidson River Campground in the Pisgah National Forest
4.5Pisgah National Forest, in my opinion, is one of the best national forests in the United States. Being just a short drive from Great Smokey Mountain National Park it has all the feel of being in the smokies with more to explore. Pisgah has anything you could want to see or do from tens of water...Read more -
Pisgah Forest, North Carolina
Drive the Forest Heritage National Scenic Byway
5.076 mi / 1000 ft gainYou can drive this highway getting different views during the different seasons. Along the drive, have your camera ready for beautiful vistas, Looking Glass Falls, and many adventures along the highway. The views are especially beautiful in the autumn with the leaves changing colors. This route d...Read more -
Brevard, North Carolina
Looking Glass Falls
4.30.08 mi / 0 ft gainLooking Glass Rock located along the Blue Ridge Parkway (North) is one of the largest masses of granite in the Eastern US. It got it's name for the way the sunlight hits its rocky surface when wet, creating a shimmering, reflective, mirror-like effect. The views from this overlook are vast and cl...Read more -
Burnsville, North Carolina
Backpack the Black Mountain Crest Trail
12 mi / 5390 ft gainThe Black Mountain Crest Trail is legendary among hikers in the southeast. It is the highest trail east of the Mississippi, as it traverses the summit of several peaks over 6,000 feet. It is also widely acknowledged as one of the premier hikes on the east coast. To whit, the trail immediately asc...Read more -
Flat Rock, North Carolina
Watch the Green Race
5.01.8 mi / 500 ft gainOn the first Saturday of November the best creek boaters in the world gather at the Green River in North Carolina to see who can storm the Narrows and claim the top title (at least for the next year!). For paddlers, creek boating is a pursuit along tight and narrow steeps that most of us have ne...Read more -
Canton, North Carolina
Skinny Dip Falls
4.81.03 mi / 148 ft gainPark at the Looking Glass Rock Overlook. After enjoying the view of Looking Glass Rock, gear up and head to the right side of the parking area (right side if your back is to the overlook). On the opposite side of the road you'll see a mile marker and a little trail to the left of the marker. Foll...Read more -
Brevard, North Carolina
Looking Glass Rock
4.65.43 mi / 1572 ft gainThis is a really nice, moderately difficult hike along a cascading creek, up switchbacks, and through wildflower fields. A couple miles in, you'll reach a helipad that is used for rescuing injured rock climbers - Looking Glass Rock is a popular destination for world class climbing. There is a sma...Read more -
138 Silver Mine Road, North Carolina
Hike the Lovers Leap Loop Trail
5.01.8 mi / 472 ft gainLovers Leap Loop trail is a 1.8 mile loop in Hot Springs, NC. The address of the trailhead is 138 Silver Mine Rd, Hot Springs, NC 28743. Once you arrive at the parking lot, you will see a trail leading up into the mountain with a post next to it. This is where you want to begin. It is part of the...Read more -
Canton, North Carolina
Graveyard Fields-Black Balsam Knob Circuit
4.49.83 mi / 1522 ft gainWhen the weather is in your favor, these treeless mountain tops will have your jaw on the floor with layers upon layers of Blue Ridge Mountains. This hike can be done in one day, but with panoramic views at multiple points, you'll want to take your time along this link of trails. This ~10-mile l...Read more -
Canton, North Carolina
Explore Lower Falls at Graveyard Fields
4.3Graveyard Fields got it's name years ago from wind-thrown tree trunks that gave the appearance of a graveyard, until 1925 when an intense fire swept through the area, destroying the stumps. The forest has been recovering ever since.The parking area for Graveyard Fields is located at milepost 418....Read more -
Brevard, North Carolina
Hike to John Rock
5.05 mi / 1000 ft gainThis 5 mile loop begins at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education and State Fish Hatchery near Brevard, NC. Ample parking is available adjacent to the trailhead with bathrooms and water accessible. Grab a map from inside as well. To start the hike, look at the education center, to the left is t...Read more -
Clyde, North Carolina
Hike to Little Fall Branch falls
0.3 mi / 300 ft gainThe trailhead to this hike is easy to find but the gps is hard to match so it might try to take you through the middle of the trees but its easy to follow the road. The best way to get here is to go off of I-40 at the Harmon Den exit and then go up the road towards Max Patch. To get to the trailh...Read more -
Del Rio, Tennessee
Max Patch to Hot Springs, N.C. via Appalachian Trail
3.014.06 mi / 2966 ft gainMake a weekend trip from Max Patch to Hot Springs N.C., and be sure to soak in the natural hot springs at the old inn after your hike! This is an incredible, relatively easy hike with the reward at the end being hot springs on the French Broad River. You can break this up however you like, this i...Read more -
Canton, North Carolina
Sam Knob and Flat Laurel Creek Loop
4.93.84 mi / 807 ft gainThis is one of my favorite quick "getaway" loops in the Pisgah Ranger District. Turn onto Black Balsam Knob Road (Mile Marker 420 on the Blue Ridge Parkway) go until you reach a dead end and park at the parking lot. You'll see the Sam Knob trail to the right of the public bathrooms. From there, i...Read more -
Haywood County, North Carolina
Black Balsam Knob via Art Loeb Trail
5.01.56 mi / 305 ft gainThe parking area for Black Balsam Knob is at mile marker 420.2 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's free to hike here. Take the Art Loeb Trail a half mile until you reach the knob. Along the way you will be walking almost entirely on the bald which is a very pleasant experience. You feel like you're ...Read more -
Canton, North Carolina
Tennent Mountain
5.03 mi / 285 ft gainPark at the Lot at the end of Black Balsam road, and start your morning in the dark, down the old dirt road at the end of the lot. Take this road until you get to Ivestor Gap and make a right onto the Art Loeb, try and time it so the sun is just about to rise here. Hike or trail run The Art Loeb ...Read more
