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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Bureau of Indian Affairs Highway 506, North Carolina
Barrett Knob Fire Tower
5.01.21 mi / 400 ft gainYour hike will start at the base of the Blue Ridge Parkway just a few miles from the start in Cherokee. The trail starts right off of the parkway in a very small easy to miss dirt road. There is a small area to park that then you start your hike up the dirt road right after the gate. The hike to ...Read more -
Cosby, Tennessee
Hike to Hen Wallow Falls in Great Smoky Mountains NP
5.04.57 miStart your adventure by parking in the Cosby Picnic Area Parking Lot near the entrance of the Cosby Campground. (127 Cosby Picnic Area Rd, Cosby, TN 37722.) Then backtrack through the parking lot about 100 yards until you see the sign marking the start of Gabes Mountain Trail. The trek to Hen W...Read more -
Brevard, North Carolina
Hike the Toxaway River Trail
5.01.25 miThis easy 1.25 mile hike is located within the Lake Toxaway community. The trail itself follows a small creek as it winds through the valley. Be warned - there are numerous stream crossings. Most of the crossings are fairly easy at normal water levels, but can be difficult if the water is high. S...Read more -
Lake Toxaway, North Carolina
Hike to Raven Rock Falls
0.5 miIf you want to see a great waterfall without hiking all day, this is the perfect trail for you. Getting there - The trailhead is about 2 miles from the intersection of Cold Mountain and Panther Ridge Road (exact coordinates: 35.1594, -82.9801). There is a small grassy pull out where you can park...Read more -
Nebo, North Carolina
Explore Lake James State Park
The park has about 15 miles of trails with different levels of difficulties . Hiked the Lake Channel Trail along the lake with good views of the lake and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Hiked the Mill's creek trail which is nicely shaded and offers good views of the lake and the Linville Gorge area. ...Read more -
Unicoi, Tennessee
Camp at Unaka Mountain Overlook
4.00.1 miUnaka Mountain Overlook is one of the highest locations in the Cherokee National Forest. Easily accessibly by vehicle, the overlook towers over the surrounding mountains, including Beauty Spot Gap, and is an ideal spot to camp overnight. Take Rock Creek Road until you meet the border of North Car...Read more -
Tuckasegee, North Carolina
Paddling The Slab and Eternity Hole
5.0The Slab and Eternity hole, located on the East Fork of the Tuckasegee River, are two of Western, NC's best play spots for kayakers of all levels. Paddle down only yards from the public boat launch to The Slab where you can perfect your surfing in kayak, SUP, or whatever boat you float. A few hun...Read more -
Lake Toxaway, North Carolina
Hike to Schoolhouse Falls and Little Green
5.03 miTrail signs in Panthertown Valley are limited. Be sure to bring a map! Starting at the Cold Mountain parking lot, hike to Schoolhouse Falls. This is a nice waterfall with a pool at the bottom. In the summer, you are bound to run into other fellow hikers here. From Schoolhouse Falls, you have the...Read more -
Lake Toxaway, North Carolina
Hike to Warden, Jawbone, and Riding Ford Falls
4.5 miWarden, Jawbone, and Riding Ford Falls are three waterfalls located along the headwaters of the Tuckasegee River in Panthertown Valley. Not far from the Cold Mountain trailhead, these falls are quite popular in the summer. On a weekend, you will often find people playing in the pools below the fa...Read more -
Marion, North Carolina
Camp in the Linville Gorge via the Pinch In Trail
1.5 miWe are pretty notorious for passing up a good campsite but we are learning our lessons. We got a late but interesting start on Pinch-In trail. We climbed down a steep 600+ feet after passing this ledge only to climb right back to it a third of a mile in. If we come up to an awesome spot, we somet...Read more -
Marion, North Carolina
Hike the Rock Jock Trail
6 mi / 700 ft gainOne of the first things I noticed when researching this hike was the conflicting information regarding finding the trail head, length of the hike, and the hike's correct route. Hopefully, as of September 2017, this report will contain the most up-to-date information currently available. To find t...Read more -
Pickens, South Carolina
Backpack the Foothills Trail through the Southeastern Appalachian Mountains
5.076.2 mi / 11036 ft gainStarting at Table Rock State Park (South Carolina) and working your 76.2 miles way towards Oconee State Park (South Carolina) is the most popular route, with a few spur trails that lead to places like Raven Cliff Falls in Cesar's Head State Park. The trail gains ~11,036 feet in elevation with ano...Read more -
Pickens, South Carolina
Hike to Table Rock Mountain
4.57.2 mi / 2433 ft gainWhile the Piedmont Foothills may sound deceptive, this is no easy trail. The first two miles of the Table Rock Trail take you soaring through the trees at a rapid pace. The trail is extremely well kept, but harsh and tough. A little before the two mile marker is a wooden shelter which is a great ...Read more -
Pickens, South Carolina
Summit Sassafras Mountain
5.017.2 mi / 5041 ft gainPinnacle Trail begins by the Nature Center in Table Rock State Park. Keep left at the first three splits in the trail. You will make some creek crossings, gain elevation through the forest, and pass by Mills Creek Falls (25 ft). At Bald Rock Overlook, you can catch some nice views of Table Rock M...Read more -
Morganton, North Carolina
Camp on Shortoff Mountain in the Linville Gorge
5.0The Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, also known as the Grand Canyon of the East, is one of the wildest, most rugged gorges in the eastern United States. It's also an outdoor paradise for hikers and backpackers. Camping here is always a treat and you are sure to enjoy your time spent in the gorge.D...Read more -
Linville, North Carolina
Shortoff Mountain Summit
4.84.64 mi / 1178 ft gainStart your hike from the Shortoff Mountain Trail off of Wolf Pit Road at the base of Lake James. From the summit there is a small grassy area off a side trail that provided awesome cliff side views of the Gorge and Linville River! You can setup after making the hour and a half trek (maybe just in...Read more
