Discovering the best hikes near Asheville is like unlocking the gateway to the stunning beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Asheville boasts breathtaking views, enchanting waterfalls, and beautiful wooded trails. Whether you’re a regular hiker or love being outdoors, Asheville’s trails offer exciting adventures and unforgettable views.
In this blog post, we will walk you through the best hikes near Asheville, Which will inspire and refresh you.
Related : 12 Best Things to Do in North Carolina 2024
11 Best Hikes Near Asheville
Here’s a list of the top 11 hikes near Asheville that you should consider trying when you visit.
#1 Craggy Garden
You really should try the Craggy Garden Trail. It is an easy walk from the Visitor Center. Having gone some distance, you will find a place to stop and rest in the shade. As you continue, a little further on, there’s a bald mountain covered in stunning pink and purple flowers, only in June.
It is beautiful all year round, even with the bright red berries in the fall and the snowy trees in winter. It is such an amazing place to create some beautiful memories with your families.
- Trail Length: 1.6-mile round trip
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate
- Special Features: Stunning panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and a vibrant display of rhododendrons blooming in season.
- Location: 364 Blue Rdg Pkwy, Black Mountain, NC 28711, United States
- Website: www.blueridgeparkway.org
#2 Looking Glass Rock
Looking Glass Rock is a spot adored by climbers and hikers alike. This 6.4-mile round trip trek guides you to the base of an imposing rock formation. Rising high above, it overlooks the surrounding Pisgah National Forest. The hike is among the finest near Asheville. It boasts vast boulders, mesmerizing views, rich flora and fauna, and rock climbing sites.
- Trail Length: 6.4-mile round trip
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate incline
- Special Features: large boulders; great views; abundant flora and fauna; locations for rock climbing.
- Location: North Carolina 28712, United States
#3 Max Patch Trail
Max Patch Meadow is frequently described as one of the most attractive hikes on the Appalachian Trail. If you proceed along the trail, the summit unveils a grassy, circular field that lets you see the forest and mountains in every direction, including the Black Mountain Range and the Smokies.
- Trail Length: 2.4-mile loop
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate
- Special Features: Open, grassy summit allows panoramic mountain views great for photos, and great picnicking.
- Location: North Carolina 28743, United States
#4 Craggy Pinnacle Trail
The Craggy Pinnacle Trail near Asheville is highly recommended for all ages, including seniors and children. It’s a short, easy 1.5-mile hike conveniently located off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Here, you will have a 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains and valleys. In spring, the path is carpeted with beautiful, vibrant pink and purple rhododendron flowers, which make it particularly beautiful. It forms the perfect location where hikers, either professional or non-professional ones of all ages, would enjoy their adventure among beautiful natural landscapes.
- Trail Length: 1.5- Mile Round Trip
- Trail Difficulty: Easy Hiking
- Special Features: Beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, gorgeous rhododendron blooms, sunset and sunrise views.
- Location: 3641 Blue Rdg Pkwy, Barnardsville, NC 28709, United States
#5 Graveyard Fields
Many years ago, all the trees were blown over by strong winds, leaving tombstone-looking stumps on the site. Then, in 1925, a large forest fire took everything down. Now, it is slowly coming back with new growth and wildflowers.
The trail now has two waterfalls in a valley full of wildflowers. The leaves are changing in the fall, which is beautiful, and 6,000-foot-high mountains surround you.
- Trail Length: 4 Mile Round Trip
- Trail Difficulty: Easy Hiking
- Special Features: Includes beautiful waterfalls, wild blueberries, and other vegetation. Very scenic mountain views. Easily accessible from the Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Location: Blue Rdg Pkwy, Canton, NC 28716, United States
#6 Mount Pisgah
One of the best hikes near Asheville, it is possible to start the trail right at mile 407.6 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. There is a big parking lot, which is good, but it gets filled up on weekends.
Though the path has its rocky parts and, in some places, it is a bit steep, the top point of 5,721 feet is just one and a half miles away. Once up there, one sees a tall tower, and the view is breathtaking.
- Trail Length: 2 Mile Round Trip
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate to vigorous
- Special Features: This hiking trail boasts classic views of Pisgah Inn and different flora and fauna.
- Location: North Carolina 28716, United States
7 Black Balsam Knob
Hiking the Black Balsam Knob Trail is an experience you’ll remember forever. You start walking and see amazing views. There are big grassy areas and a treeless top that’s perfect for star gazing, sunrises, and sunsets. The sights take your breath away. You wander through scenery unlike anything else. Lush meadows stretch out before you. At the summit, you feel like you’re on top of the world. The trail offers unforgettable moments. Nature surrounds you in all its glory. You’ll treasure memories of this hike for years to come.
While the trail is a bit rocky in some areas, the easy walk is well worth the panoramic views that lie in wait at the summit.
- Trail Length: 5 Mile Round Trip
- Trail Difficulty: Moderate
- Special Features: Panoramic views and lush meadows, perfect for stargazing and watching the sun rise and set.
- Location: North Carolina 28716, United States
#8 Mount Mitchell Trail
Mount Mitchell Trail is among the highest and most difficult hikes near Asheville. It makes the trail so beautiful, and the views from it—of the surrounding mountains and valleys—are bordered by numerous plants within the forest along the way.
Check the weather forecast before climbing, and pack enough food and water. In addition, if you want to reach the mountain’s peak without walking, you can do so by car.
- Trail Length: 5.6 Mile Round Trip
- Difficulty: Tough
- Special Features: Rigorous hiking, great vistas, and exceptional wildlife.
- Location: North Carolina 28714, USA
#9 Catawba Falls Trail
All nature lovers will surely love hiking on the trails of Catawba Falls, stretched over 3 miles, too tough to get you tired easily and so easy that you get bored. The main attraction is the big waterfall, where you can have a nice peaceful time and a very good place to take pictures.
It is great for individuals or families who want to enjoy beautiful views and hikes easily.
- Trail Length: 3 Mile Round Trip
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Special Feature: Waterfall, Dense Forest, and Historical Ruins
- Location: 3074 Catawba River Rd, Old Fort, NC 28762, United States
#10 Sam Knob Trail
It is one of the best hikes near Nashville; you can experience this beautiful track. This trail gets you to the most beautiful place at Sam’s Knob Point, where you can have an amazing panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
In addition, creatures and open wildflowers can be observed on display throughout. So pack your bags and get set for a great adventure out in the wild near this serene hill town.
- Trail Length: 2.2 Mile Round Trip
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Special Feature: Diverse flora and fauna, unique rock formations, blooming wildflowers, and vibrant fall foliage.
- Location: North Carolina 28716, USA
#11 Skinny Dip Falls
Skinny Dip Falls can be described as one of the most beautiful sets of waterfalls hidden away in the Pisgah National Forest. It is an easy 1-mile roundtrip hike with several opportunities to take a refreshing dip in the mountain water. It’s a great secret if you want to dip in or see the falls cascade down.
- Trail Length: 1 Mile Round Trip
- Difficulty: Easy
- Special Feature: beautiful waterfalls, panoramic views, and exceptional wildlife.
- Location: Blue Rdg Pkwy, Canton, NC 28716, United States
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Conclusion
Asheville is a great place for hiking, with beautiful forests and mountains. There are trails suitable for everyone, whether you’re new to hiking or experienced. The city is surrounded by lush green forests and majestic mountains with stunning views and serene waterfalls. Hiking trails in Asheville cater to adventurers of all skill levels, from beginning nature enthusiasts to experienced trekkers.
This blog aims to explore some of Asheville’s top hiking destinations, highlight their unique features, and share valuable insights.
FAQs
What are the most popular hiking trails near Asheville?
Some popular places for hiking near Asheville are Craggy Gardens, Mount Mitchell, and Catawba Falls.
Are there any beginner-friendly hikes near Asheville?
Yes, Graveyard Fields and Sam Knob are a tad more technical, bringing moderate challenges to all levels of hikers.
When is the best time to hike in Asheville?
Spring and fall are the best times to hit hiking in Asheville when temperatures are moderate and the foliage most dramatic.
What safety precautions should you take while hiking near Asheville?
Always keep on the marked trails, let someone know your hiking plans, be on the lookout for wildlife, and check up on the weather before you hike near Asheville.
