Asheville is an artsy mountain town in the rolling mountains cloaked in lush, green forests stretching into infinity on the horizon. Covered in wild blueberries and abundant wildflowers, the sun-drenched mountains are home to some of the best trails in the eastern part of the USA.
Once you are done exploring the funky and friendly downtown, you can enjoy peace in the green and rocky pastures with spectacular views and a marvelous nature vibe in the Appalachian including the iconic Blue Ridge Mountains. Instead of pouring over a stack of trail guides, here’s the list of the best hiking trails in Asheville:
Best Hiking Trails Asheville NC
1. The Grandfather Trail
It is made for those with an adventurous streak and may feel more like an obstacle course than a hiking path. But you will love the out-and-back trail featuring an intricate series of ladders, walkways, and steel cables that zigzag up and across different peaks of Grandfather Mountain. The trail is 2.4 miles of hoisting, scrambling, and hand-over-hand climbing in each direction, so you should be prepared well enough to take this route. The vistas of this scenic route are a treat, especially at the top of the third and tallest summit, and you will see why John Muir once said, “The face of all heaven comes to earth” when describing Grandfather Mountain.
2. Mount Mitchell
One of the surreal experiences awaits you at the highest summit east of the Mississippi River. You feel out of this world from the lofty perch surrounded by the sky, immersed in the chilling mountain air. Many ways lead to the top but Old Mitchell is the classic experience with a four-mile loop where you will encounter backcountry obstacles; when you reach the top gazing at soaring views and are engulfed in the mystery of Appalachian peaks, the whole world is yours for that moment.
Book Hotels Near Mount Mitchell in Asheville, NC
3. Mount Pisgah
Under an hour’s ride from Asheville, this is yet another of the most popular hikes in the area. Located right off the Blue Ridge Parkway beside a large picnic area, the path is made for those who can do some strenuous activity. It is mostly rocky in sections and some of the sections are difficult. The 1.5-mile hike is pretty doable even with slightly strenuous activities involved and you will be able to view Shining Rock Wilderness, Cold Mountain, the Great Smoky Mountains, and Mount Mitchell.
read also: Romantic Getaways in Asheville NC
4. Black Balsam Knob
People who love sunsets will undoubtedly find Black Balsam Knob and Tennent Mountain one of the best choices. These mountains are famous for their mountain balds and attract people from near and far. Initially, you will wind through the balsam trees, but later there are hardly any trees for miles so you will enjoy a sense of freedom in elevation. There are incredible vistas with these balds allowing the experience of open space and enjoying the most beautiful sunsets.
5. Asheville Urban Trail
If you prefer learning the history and culture of the wonderful town of Ashville, then the 2 hours walking tour will take you back in time. The tour includes 30 stations that make the visitors feel at home and learn about historical events and the people of Asheville. You will fall in love with the city’s quirky and magical past as you take this walk into history. In this casual amble about the town, you will get to know larger-than-life historical characters and be introduced to George Vanderbilt, E.W. Grove, Thomas Wolfe, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Douglas Ellington, and O. Henry.
Book Hotels Near Asheville Urban Trail
6. Crabtree Falls
The earthy vibe of this slice of heaven will captivate your senses—the lush carpet of wildflowers, especially in spring and early summer, will enthrall visitors. If you take this 2.4-mile loop trail, you will enjoy walking through the forest floor awash with more than forty varieties of flowers, ending up with nature’s jeweled background for the more popular Crabtree Waterfalls.
7. Rattlesnake Lodge
Quite close to the town and just north of the winding paths of the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of the favorites of many hikers. This particular hike is part of the Mountains to Sea Trail where you will meander through a scenic route enjoying rather beautiful scenery above the Parkway from an angled rock outcrop. Rattlesnake Lodge was once a 19th-century summer estate for Dr. Chase Ambler who built it for his family, and you can see the remains of a spring house, pool, and other interesting architecture.
8. Graveyard Fields Trail
Yet another popular hiking trail on the Blue Ridge Parkway, The Graveyard Fields Trail loops through a stunningly beautiful valley just below Black Balsam, spectacular waterfalls surrounded by wildflowers and wildlife abound. You may see a black bear on this 3.3-mile roundtrip trail as it goes through tunnels of gnarly-branched rhododendrons and lush fields of wildflowers.
Book Hotels Near Graveyard Fields Trail in Asheville NC
9. Craggy Gardens
North on the Blue Ridge Parkway, this 1.5-mile roundtrip hike is an outstandingly beautiful high-elevated forest. A moderate hike in this Natural Heritage Area will take you to the wind-blown grasses and blooming flame azaleas (in spring) and the vistas will blow your mind. If you keep hiking for a while, you will come across a bald that in mid-June is pink and purple with the flowers of Catawba rhododendron sprawled across the surface.
read also: Weekend Getaways in NC
10. Looking Glass Rock
An iconic sight on the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway, it is also one of the most benign trails to the summit when compared with others. Looking Glass Rock is a sheer granite monolith rising out of the lush forests and rolling waves of Pisgah National Forest. The single trail etched into the stunning mountainside makes for a trek of 6.4 miles. The summit of Looking Glass is a peculiarity in the Blue Ridge: a flat-topped, thickly forested place where you gaze up at the majestic mountains that surround you.
Summary
Discover lush forests, scenic mountain peaks, and cascading waterfalls in your hiking trips. In this area of North Carolina, there is an impressive collection of trails you can explore based on your expertise. There are all types of trails suitable for all fitness levels. So, gear yourself to explore the dazzling array of hiking adventures in the peaks and forests of North Carolina.
