14 Hikes Near Asheville For Every Type Of Hiker, According To Locals

A trip to Asheville, North Carolina—or any of the scenic small towns surrounding it like Black Mountain, Sylva, Flat Rock, and Lake Lure—should always include a hike. Finding the right hike near Asheville can be overwhelming when the Western North Carolina mountains boast more than 1,000 miles of trails within an hour of the city. Add in the different fitness levels and ages of your traveling companions, and you’re faced with what can seem like an impossible decision.

We turned to local experts at Blue Ridge Hiking Company, owner Lindsey Barr and hiking guide Bev MacDowell, to round up a list of hiking trails near Asheville that accommodate a variety of ages and interests. Keep in mind that some trails require a 30-minute to one-hour drive from Asheville, but we promise the time on the road will be worth it.

How to Prepare For Your Hike

Clothing and Gear

Before heading out to the trail, preparation is a must. Barr said hikers should wear comfortable, moisture-wicking clothing (no cotton) and shoes with good tread. Wool socks are also recommended. Barr’s other tips include bringing a rain jacket regardless of the forecast, and dressing in layers because temperatures can vary greatly from morning to afternoon. MacDowell added that hikers should carry one to two liters of water per person. She also suggested hiking poles to help with elevation climbs and descents. 

Wildlife

The Blue Ridge Mountains are home to black bears which are normally not aggressive or confrontational unless defending their cubs or food source. MacDowell recommends hiking with a loud whistle which she said is usually enough to scare off a bear. Barr uses bear spray if hiking in areas where bears have recently been active and problematic. 

If you do encounter a bear, don’t run, approach, or turn your back. The National Park Service advises you to simply back away slowly. If the bear comes toward you, stand your ground and make yourself appear larger by shouting at it and throwing non-food items like rocks and sticks. Do not play dead. Black bears are naturally afraid of humans and prefer to be left alone. Don’t feed them.

Temperature and Seasonal Closures

The Blue Ridge Parkway closes portion when temperatures drop below freezing. Visitors can still walk and bike the closed section. If visiting in winter, check for any parkway closures here. Oh and please keep your dogs on a leash.

Trail Terminology To Know

• Out and Back: An “out and back” trail means you hike to a point, turn around, and hike back. The mileage listed for the trail is the entire distance of the hike. So a 2-mile “out and back” trail means you’ll hike one mile in, usually to an overlook or waterfall, turn around, and hike one mile back out.
• Loop: A loop trail is just what it sounds like: a trail that loops around and doesn't have a specific point to turn around.
  

Easy Hikes Near Asheville

These trails are relatively flat and most people can comfortably walk them. There might be a few sets of stairs or a very small hill but overall, an easy trail is suitable for all levels. 

Buck Springs Trail

Buck Springs Trail is a 2.5-mile “out and back hike” that starts at the Pisgah Inn Overlook road along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The trail leads to the grounds of the former hunting lodge of George Vanderbilt who traveled there by horseback from the Biltmore Estate. Foundation ruins, original stairs, and the well house are all that remain. You can still enjoy the views of Pisgah National Forest and see why Vanderbilt chose this part of the country to build his estate.

The trail is part of the 500,000-acre Pisgah Forest system made possible by Edith Vanderbilt’s sale of 86,000 acres according to her husband’s wishes following his death. 

For traveling companions unable to hike the entire trail, there’s a small parking lot at Buck Springs Overlook, down the parkway from the trailhead entrance, where you can park and easily walk up a set of stairs to view the ruins.

Pink Beds Loop

Pink Beds Loop is an easy, mainly flat trail that’s either 5.1 miles if you follow the entire loop or 2.5 miles if you take the Barnett Branch Trail halfway into the hike. The forest trail winds through meadows of flowers while crisscrossing a stream. Wooden bridges and boardwalks guide hikers over the swampy areas. Watch your step because of exposed roots along the trail. There’s no long-range view on the hike but with the trailhead’s location—only 3.5 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway—you can easily drive up when you’re through and stop at a nearby overlook. Or head to the Cradle of Forestry next door to explore the grounds and historic buildings of America’s first forestry school.

Waterfall Hikes with Swimming Near Asheville

Dupont State Forest, a rather young recreational area that was acquired by the state in 2000, is known for its mountain biking trails and waterfalls. It’s located about an hour from Asheville and 23 minutes from Brevard. You could easily spend a full day in the area.

Two trails—an easy trail and one that’s more strenuous—start from the same parking lot. Head to Hooker Falls Parking as your base for both hikes. There’s plenty of space and restroom facilities for cleaning up. Know that the area is popular and the lot might be full on warm weekends. Either go early or visit during the week to avoid crowds

Hooker Falls Trail

Hooker Falls Trail is a short, family-friendly, easy hike to a wide waterfall with a large area for swimming. Barr said she reminds visitors that the water here is very cold year-round. The entire trail is only 0.8 miles roundtrip. Some hikers use this short route and swimming hole to cool off after hiking the next trail.

Triple Falls Trail to High Falls Loop

For a more moderate hike, Triple Falls Trail to High Falls Loop is a 2.7-mile roundtrip loop with a few climbs in elevation. The trail follows the river and winds around a series of breathtaking waterfalls featured in The Hunger Games and Last of the Mohicans movies. 

Catawba Falls

Catawba Falls River Trail is a 2.3-mile “out and back” hike just east of Asheville in Old Fort and about 3 miles from the Interstate 40 exit. The trail follows the river to the beautiful lower falls and includes several spots along the way for wading in the water. The trail was recently reopened with improvements like wider paths and expanded access to the Upper Falls. However, access to the Upper Falls and its much larger, picturesque swimming hole includes climbing an observation tower with stairs equivalent to a 30-story building.

The trail can also be completed as a loop by adding the new ridgeline trail. Hikers can choose to do the loop clockwise by climbing 1,100 feet to the Upper Falls and descending the steps to the Lower Falls. Or they can hike it counter-clockwise which makes the hike down the new ridgeline trail easier but includes the challenging tower climb between falls. No matter which way you choose, I was thankful for the swimming holes for cooling down.

Loop Hikes Near Asheville

These loop hikes are usually ranked as “moderate” by the AllTrails app but keep in mind that portions of these trails could easily fall in the “hard” category. Good hiking boots are a must and poles can be helpful. If you don’t have poles, MacDowell said to hike hands-free meaning without holding a water bottle or phone. That way, you’ll be able to easily and safely steady yourself as needed.

Black Balsam Knob and Tennent Mountain Loop via Art Loeb Trail

Black Balsam Knob and Tennent Mountain Loop via Art Loeb Trail is a 4.3-mile hike about an hour outside of Asheville along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Leave time to pull over at one of the many overlooks on the way to your hike. 

It’s recommended to hike the trail counter-clockwise by starting on the Ivestor Gap Trail which is a gravel road located at the end of Black Balsam Knob Road off the parkway. The gravel road winds around the mountain to the Art Loeb Trail where your ascent to one of two peaks begins. The trail is challenging in sections but offers incredible views throughout the route. 

The Sam Knob trail is also accessible from the same parking lot. It’s a 2.5-mile “out and back” trail with a moderate hike through a meadow and forest, and a more difficult climb to the top over large rocks and steps. But the views are amazing.

John Rock Trail to Cat Gap Loop

John Rock Trail to Cat Gap Loop is a 5.6-mile loop that starts in the Pisgah Fish Hatchery parking lot just outside Brevard. The diverse trail includes water crossings, a hike through a serene forest, a gradual climb in elevation, and views of Looking Glass Rock from the top. We recommend you hike it counter-clockwise. Make sure and follow a map to avoid missing the John Rock lookout point which is actually right past the top of the trail as you start to head down. This is a great spot to rest and enjoy a snack.

Hikes for a Picnic Lunch Near Asheville

Craggy Gardens, located about 40 minutes outside of Asheville on the Blue Ridge Parkway, has scenic picnic spots with incredible views. The thickets of rhododendrons, grassy meadows, and jagged rocks, give this high-elevation area a serene, “fairy tale feel,” especially when the flowers bloom in the summer. 

Head to the picnic area turn-in which is three miles before the Craggy Gardens visitors center to enjoy lunch. The area has two options for hiking.

Craggy Gardens Trail

The Craggy Gardens Trail, a 2.2-mile “out and back” hike along a portion of the Mountains to Sea Trail, starts at the picnic area and includes long-range views and the Craggy meadow with wildflowers. 

Craggy Pinnacle Trail

For a much shorter hike, hop back in your car and drive a half mile past the visitor’s center to the Craggy Pinnacle Trail. This popular, one-mile “out and back” trail takes visitors through tunnels of rhododendrons up to the mountaintop for a 360-degree view. Watch for fog rolling in. This can happen quickly and block those picture-worthy views.

After Craggy Gardens, continue on the parkway for another 25 minutes to Mt. Mitchell State Park which at 6,684 feet, is the highest point east of the Mississippi River. It’s an easy walk up the hill from the parking lot to an observation deck.

Bearwallow Mountain Trail

Bearwallow Mountain Trail, located just east of Asheville in the tiny community of Gerton, offers a roundtrip loop of 2.1 miles, or an “out and back” hike of 1.6 miles. The trail is accessed by Bearwallow Mountain Road off Hwy. 74 on the way to Lake Lure. The road eventually turns to gravel before reaching the trailhead with parking along the road. 

It’s about 0.8 miles to the top and is ranked by the AllTrails app as a moderate hike. Rock steps are set up along the trail which climbs 587 feet in elevation to the grassy bald and picturesque mountain meadow. Don’t be surprised to see a few cows at the top near the fire tower in the warmer months. (Watch for cow patties!)

Once you reach the meadow, go to your left for an unobstructed view of the mountains or find a spot on the right. There’s plenty of space to stretch out and enjoy a snack.

The hike can be extended by following the trail across the meadow and entering the Wildcat Rock Trail at the edge of the woods. To loop down, follow the gravel road below the meadow back to the trailhead. 

Workout Hikes Near Asheville

Technically, any hike can be considered a workout, even the easy ones. But for those who require a bit more of a challenge, we’ve got that covered, too.

Lookout Trail

The Lookout Trail in the tiny village of Montreat outside Black Mountain is only a one-mile, “out and back” trail, but the 0.5 miles up hundreds of stairs to the top will quickly leave you breathless and questioning your decision to hike it. Stick with it! The views at the top are incredible.

If excessive stair-climbing is not your thing, Montreat and nearby Black Mountain are relaxing places to stroll while your traveling partner hikes.

Shut-In Trail

For trail runners, the Shut-In Trail is a 17-mile point-to-point route that starts beside the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville and ends at the Upper Mt. Pisgah parking lot. It shares its name and route with the Shut-In Race, an endurance running event that welcomes 225 participants each year. The trail follows the path originally blazed by George Vanderbilt from the Biltmore Estate to his hunting lodge. The trail can be accessed through the Arboretum parking lot or by following the Mountains to Sea Trail with parking just off the Blue Ridge Parkway right before the entrance to the arboretum. The only views are through the trees in winter, but for the trail runner, it’s a fun challenge.

Off the Beaten Path Hikes Near Asheville

Finding a trail that’s not packed with people usually involves a gravel road to get there. Here are two trails suitable for different skill levels within one family. 

Discovery, Log Hollow, and Logging Road Waterfalls Trail

Discovery, Log Hollow, and Logging Road Waterfalls Trail is a 2.6-mile “out and back” trail that features three waterfalls. The trailhead is about four miles off the parkway which includes turning on gravel road 475b off Pisgah Highway near the Cradle of Forestry. 

The main trail starts on an old logging road which makes it an easy walk to view Log Hollow and Logging Road Waterfalls. This is where your “easy level” hikers can relax while the more moderate ones head to Discovery Falls. 

That trail starts on the right, just before you reach the first waterfall. Follow the trail up and through the woods. It does get steep when approaching the falls so be careful and use your poles. It’s the most impressive of the three waterfalls on the hike.

Buckhorn Gap Trail to Twin Falls

Buckhorn Gap Trail to Twin Falls is a 4-mile loop with two waterfalls. The trailhead is located past the Pisgah Forest Horse Stables. If the road is closed, hikers must park at the horse stables and walk a half-mile to the trailhead.

Going counter-clockwise, the trail winds through the woods with several scenic stream crossings. The first waterfall can be seen from the trail or reached by hiking off the path. Continue hiking until you reach beautiful Twin Falls before looping back down. This is a great waterfall hike for avoiding the crowds.