15 Best Hikes Near Asheville

As an Asheville local and out of doors enthusiast, I’m right here that can assist you decide one of the best hikes near Asheville. After all, hiking is certainly one of the best issues to do in Asheville!

This guide will cover Asheville hiking trails with mountain peaks, woodland scenery, and plunging waterfalls. Whether you’re a seasoned outside fanatic or a hiking beginner, there’s a hike near Asheville in this article for you to discover!

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DuPont State Forest Three Waterfall Hike
A family-friendly waterfall hike nestled in DuPont State Forest

DuPont State Forest is home to some of the greatest Asheville hiking trails. It doesn’t provide mountain views just like the Blue Ridge Parkway, nevertheless it has an abundance of family-friendly forest hikes. This park can be residence to a number of of essentially the most stunning waterfalls near Asheville.

One of the most effective, hottest hikes in DuPont State Forest is the Three Waterfall Hike. This moderate, family-friendly hike takes you to three cascades: Hooker Falls, Triple Falls, and High Falls.

The trails listed here are flat in some places, and steeper in others. Although this Three Waterfall Hike is sort of well-liked with guests, I nonetheless extremely recommend it. It’s easy to access, well-marked, and completely scenic.

If you’re looking to do a longer hike after hitting up all three waterfalls, keep going until you attain the coated bridge above High Falls. From here, you’ll find a way to hike two more miles as much as Bridal Veil Falls. This will make for a hike that’s about 7-8 miles roundtrip.

👉 My Favorite Gear: If you go swimming in any of the waterfalls’ calmer pools, carrying outdoor sandals or water shoes is a good idea while you swim.

Max Patch Loop
An expansive summit situated on the Tennessee-North Carolina Border

If you don’t have it in you to hike the whole Appalachian Trail, no worries. Instead, go for this hike at Max Patch Loop! A part of the Appalachian Trail, this Tennessee–North Carolina border hike is scenic and classically Appalachian.

The summit is technically a “bald,” meaning there aren’t any bushes right here. Instead, you get a large open summit with tall grasses and native wildflowers. Max Patch is the perfect place to have a picnic, camp, and take in awe-inspiring views of the Great Smoky Mountains.

📚 Related Reading: Hiking Essentials Checklist (26 Things to Pack on a Hike)

Art Loeb Trail to Black Balsam Knob
A high elevation hike where you’ll find a way to stroll a ridge of the Blue Ridge Parkway

The Art Loeb Trail to Black Balsam Knob is one of my favourite hikes near Asheville. Its reasonable problem degree makes it a fantastic option for many guests, and the scenery right here is actually spectacular.

Located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, this Black Balsam hike begins with a stroll via a Balsam grove. Then, it climbs up via a rocky space with tall grasses, the place mountain views start to become visible. Next, you’ll stroll a meadowed ridgeline to succeed in the summit of Black Balsam Knob. Here, you’ll see beautiful panoramic views.

What sets the Art Loeb Trail apart from other Asheville hikes is the refreshing, peaceful, and awe-inspiring feeling you’ll get from hiking it. It’s a must-do!

👉 My Favorite Gear: Convertible pants and breathable layers are nice to wear on a hike like this. They’re excellent for when changing elevation and tree cover can cause variations in temperature.

Craggy Gardens Pinnacle
See blooming rhododendrons on this easy, yet stunning mountain hike off the Blue Ridge Parkway

Craggy Gardens Pinnacle is a brief, mile-high hike near Asheville. It takes you thru lush, wooded areas and previous gorgeous wildflowers and berry bushes, as a lot as a scenic overlook of the Blue Ridge Mountain vary. Although brief in distance, the colourful greenery and surroundings is what really sets this hike aside.

Craggy Gardens is particularly identified for its present of shiny rhododendrons that bloom in early summer. And although this attraction will get busy in early summer time due to this, it’s completely worth seeing should you can.

The hike’s trailhead is positioned simply past the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center. Find it on the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the best locations to visit in North Carolina.

👉 Pro Tip: Want to spend a day excessive up on the Blue Ridge Parkway? I advocate visiting Craggy Gardens Pinnacle after which heading up to close by Mount Mitchell State Park. Or, think about taking a tour of the area!

A peaceful forest waterfall along the Catawba River, simply east of Asheville

Catawba Falls Trail is positioned east of downtown Asheville. It’s near Old Fort and past Black Mountain, probably the greatest mountain towns in Western North Carolina.

This hike is comparatively simple with a number of steady climbs along the Catawba River. Suitable for many guests, the Catawba Falls Trail is the perfect hike to take your family and pet on, and share a picnic on the rocks.

The waterfall at Catawba Falls is tumbling and delightful, with water cascading over moss and plant-covered rocks. It’s probably the greatest hiking trails near Asheville if you’re seeking to escape right into a zen and idyllic forest ambiance.

👉 Pro Tip: Catawba Falls is presently closed for enhancements, but is ready to open again up in spring 2023. Check the internet site for updates.

Mount Pisgah
An iconic Pisgah National Forest hike that rewards you with 360-degree views

In the mountain vary surrounding Asheville, Mount Pisgah is probably one of the area’s most iconic peaks. Mount Pisgah Trail is positioned within Pisgah Forest, and only an hour from Asheville. The hike itself is a average climb and a good afternoon exercise. You can anticipate to climb mountain stairs, pass lush greenery, and catch some incredible views as you hike to the height.

Mount Pisgah is quite in style in the summer and fall, since its high elevation provides approach to an unimaginable vantage point. From the highest, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic, 360-degree views of the rolling Blue Ridge Mountains.

👉 My Favorite Gear: Good hiking sneakers are a should when doing steeper, tougher treks like this one.

Graveyard Fields
Enjoy timber, waterfalls, and rivers on this excessive elevation valley hike in Pisgah National Forest

Graveyard Fields is a loop trail and waterfall hike situated excessive up on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Pisgah Forest. This is probably certainly one of the hottest waterfall hikes near Asheville.

Graveyard Fields has two waterfalls: an higher and lower falls. The trail loops to attach each, however Upper Falls is the farthest away. I suggest snapping an image of the map in the parking zone, simply so you’ll be able to stay on observe.

What really sets Graveyard Fields aside is the fact that it’s a high elevation valley. The mountain views and waterfalls listed under are actually beautiful. The meadowed greenery will make you are feeling completely encompassed by nature.

📚 Related Reading: Graveyard Fields is an particularly cool trail to hike within the fall since you can see so much foliage. Read our guide for more information on the most effective time to go to Asheville!

Daniel Ridge Falls
A peaceful, hidden waterfall hike tucked away in Pisgah National Forest

Tucked away in Pisgah Forest is that this extra native, hidden hiking trail. Daniel Ridge Falls is a average loop trail with a wonderful waterfall that cascades down many rock tiers. It’s a great trail for guests who wish to go a bit off the crushed path and avoid crowds.

The Daniel Ridge Falls Loop Trail goes upstream alongside the Davidson River and passes by numerous small river cascades. The trail itself may be rugged at instances, so watch out. If you’re looking to mountain bike, this may be a great trail for that, too!

Bearwallow Mountain
A hike southeast of Asheville that leads to a lush meadow with far-reaching views

If you’re seeking to picnic and spend time enjoyable outdoors, Bearwallow Mountain is considered one of the greatest Asheville hiking trails. Bearwallow Mountain Trail is situated in the higher Hickory Nut Gorge, only a short, 35-minute drive from downtown. It’s a family-friendly hike that’s excellent year-round.

The trail to reach Bearwallow Mountain is fairly brief, however steep, so keep that in thoughts. You’ll cross streams and greenery earlier than you ascend to the gorgeous meadow. This hike offers the perfect spot to sit down back and enjoy views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. My suggestion is to pack a picnic blanket, snacks, and spend the afternoon absorbing the surroundings.

Mount Mitchell Trail
One of the most difficult yet rewarding Asheville hiking trails that takes you to the very best peak east of the Mississippi

For backpackers and serious hikers, Mount Mitchell Trail is a bucket listing journey. The out-and-back trail begins from Black Mountain Campground.

You’ll hike via unimaginable forests and breathtaking vistas. You’ll climb some critical heights, too, with an elevation achieve of three,694 feet! The end prize of this hike is reaching Mount Mitchell’s summit, which is the highest peak east of the Mississippi River.

This Asheville hiking trail can easily be accomplished in one day, in about 7 hours. However, it’s nice for backpacking over a few days. Plus, visiting Mount Mitchell State Park is likely certainly one of the finest things to do in North Carolina.

👉 My Favorite Gear: For a more strenuous hike like this one, hiking poles are a good idea.

Bent Creek
Perfectly lush and straightforward forest hikes near downtown Asheville

Located adjacent to Asheville’s North Carolina Arboretum and Lake Powhatan is Bent Creek Experimental Forest. This hiking space is a great option for households who need a little nature escape near Asheville.

The forest landscape in Bent Creek is much less steep and has fewer obstacles than other hikes near Asheville. This makes it really great for households with younger kids, as properly as older people. At the Bent Creek Trailhead, you’ll find quite lots of trails with varying difficulty levels.

For a scenic, simple hike, I highly advocate Homestead Trail. For more experienced hikers, Shut In Trail is an efficient option at sixteen.3 miles lengthy. Bent Creek additionally provides good mountain biking trails for newbies and intermediate riders.

👉 Pro Tip: Lake Powhatan Recreation Area & Campground is adjoining to Bent Creek, and is a perfect spot for RV and tent camping. REI has some nice camping tents, good for a fun family camping journey here at Bent Creek.

Looking Glass Rock
A stone-faced monolith with extensive open views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, located in Pisgah National Forest

Looking Glass Rock is an iconic a half of the Pisgah Forest landscape. Known for its clean, rounded rock face, this pure landmark towers above the encompassing Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s really a sight to see from close by overlooks. But, the view from the highest of the hiking trail is simply as rewarding.

Looking Glass Rock Trail is a harder hike. There’s a good elevation gain, as the trail climbs over 1,seven-hundred feet. There aren’t any rivers or waterfalls you’ll pass in your way up, either. It’s all concerning the lovely and expansive view from the top.

👉 Pro Tip: Be careful when you do this hike. It has some fairly steep and harmful drop-offs. This can additionally be not a hike to bring your pet on, so depart them at home.

Linville Falls
One of North Carolina’s most iconic waterfalls known for its rugged, dramatic terrain in Linville Gorge Wilderness Area

With its dramatic plunge and rugged, rocky terrain, Linville Falls is essentially the most photographed waterfall in North Carolina. It’s found in the Linville Gorge Wilderness, top-of-the-line day journeys from Asheville.

This lovely waterfall hike is doable for guests of all ages as a outcome of there are two primary trails you can take from the customer center. The first is Erwin’s View Trail which takes you to 4 overlooks, and is a average hike. The second choice is Linville Gorge Trail, which is tougher, but takes you to the bottom of the waterfall (just know you can’t swim here).

👉 Pro Tip: Linville Gorge is stuffed with scenic and dramatic Asheville hiking trails. Check out Hawksbill Mountain, Table Rock Mountain, and Shortoff Mountain when visiting.

Grandfather Mountain Trail
This strenuous, spectacular hike in Grandfather Mountain State Park is the perfect challenge for skilled hikers

You in all probability know of the family-friendly attraction, Grandfather Mountain. Although situated throughout the state park, Grandfather Mountain Trail is a complete other ball recreation. This tough trail is for expert hikers solely. Make positive to say your free permit at the trailhead previous to hiking.

The trail goes alongside the mountain ridge between the mile excessive swinging bridge and Calloway Peak. The trek is rugged, steep, and has many cables and ladders concerned. Nonetheless, special hiking equipment isn’t required.

Grandfather Mountain Trail takes about 5-6 hours to complete. If you’re not afraid of heights and up for the challenge, this hike has a great repay. You’ll be rewarded with stunning and dramatic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

👉 My Favorite Gear: Being prepared for such a tough hike is a must. It’s a good suggestion to bring a daypack for all your necessities, as nicely as a water bottle and snacks to maintain you going.

Moore Cove Falls
Set in Pisgah National Forest, this simply accessible, family-friendly hike leads to a waterfall you can stroll behind

Moore Cove Falls Trail is likely certainly one of the simpler, extra delicate Asheville hiking trails. It’s situated in Pisgah Forest simply past Looking Glass Falls. It’s a fantastic option for households who need a easy walk while sightseeing near the town of Brevard.

This hike has only one mild slope, but is otherwise pretty stage. It passes by creeks and you’ll be surrounded by trees. When you attain the top of the trail, you’ll find Moore Cove Falls. As long as you’re cautious, you can actually walk behind the cascade! For the good expertise, visit within the spring and summer when the waterfall is more flowing.

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That’s it for the most effective hikes near Asheville! I hope this information helped you pick some potential trails to go to in Western North Carolina.

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15 Best Hikes Near Asheville

Tagged on: asheville hikes