Five Hiking Trails Near Asheville, NC
Five Short Hikes Near Asheville, NC
The Asheville area is rich in tracts of undisturbed wilderness areas, national and state parks. It is also home to many beautiful North Carolina mountain homes. Visitors and North Carolina mountain homeowners seeking hiking recreation may be overwhelmed by the number of choices and also question the level of physical ability needed.
Here are some important hiking tips: bring enough drinking water and some warm clothing; wear hiking boots with grip; and pack rain gear in case of storms. In Western North Carolina, weather and temperature shift quickly and many of the trails near Asheville are rocky, and steep, so be prepared for some cardiovascular exercise.
Here are five short hikes that can be done in one to two hours. Expect more cardio exertion on the high country hikes (Craggy Gardens, Mount Mitchell, and Max Patch) and less on the river hiking (East Fork River and Hot Springs).
The hike to Craggy Gardens is .7 miles and begins at milepost 364 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s a short, steady, upward climb that takes about 20-30 minutes. In the spring, this grassy bald is filled with wildflowers and rhododendron. Once the summit has been reached, enjoy the 360-degree views of the Asheville area.
Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 355. Mount Mitchell is the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi River and stands at 6,684 feet. To reach Mount Mitchell from the Asheville area, visitors are best advised to pass through Burnsville or Marion and access it through Route 80. Due to a roadway failure, the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed between Craggy Gardens and Mount Mitchell. While the new observation deck is underway, there is no access to the observation deck trail or short trail sections at the top. There is still plenty of parking on top of Mount Mitchell, and other short hikes to enjoy, most notably, the Camp Alice Trail. The Camp Alice Trail offers breathtaking views of the summit and a closer look at native flora and fauna, and is only 2.5 miles in length. Access Camp Alice by following the gravel road to the right of the park office to signs for the Commissary Trail.
Directions: From I-40, east of Asheville, take exit 86, NC 226 to Marion/Shelby. NC 226 merges with US 221 and US 7 1000 0 in Marion. Veer left on US 70. After about two miles, turn north on NC 80. Follow NC 80 north/northeast for 16 miles. Turn left onto the Blue Ridge Parkway. Follow the parkway to mile marker #355 and turn right onto NC 128, which leads to the park.
Called the crown jewel of the Appalachian Trail, Max Patch is a near 5,000 feet summit that offers 360-degree views of the Smokey Mountains, and portions of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Max Patch Bald is covered with high grass and wildflowers in early spring, though it is often cut and rolled as hay. It’s a short, but steep walk to the summit. Max Patch Bald is a great place to fly a kite, have a picnic, or enjoy the views of the surrounding area.
Directions: Take 40 West from Asheville, just past the Tennessee line and take the Harmon’s Den exit. Make an immediate right onto a dirt road. Follow signs all the way up the mountain to the Max Patch parking area
The East Fork takes its trail name from following the east fork of the Pigeon River. The East Fork River is a great short hike to a scenic waterfall and swimming hole. The hike into the first waterfall is level, with not much increase in elevation. Follow a meandering trail that stays close to the river most of the way. Hike about a mile, and at the fork in the trail, take the lower trail to the waterfall. Relax and enjoy the scenery.
Directions: Take the Blue Ridge Parkway South of Asheville, and travel over Mount Pisgah. After Mount Pisgah, look for Route 276. Make a left from the Parkway to the 276 junction and a right on 276. Travel down the steep hill to the first parking area on the left. The trail is not marked at the parking lot, but it is the East Fork River.
Hot Springs, in Madison County
Near the town of Hot Springs in Madison County, is a lovely short river hike, alongside one of the tributaries of the French Broad River. The mountain stream runs strong, but it is not a good area for swimming, although some ‘creek dipping’ is fun in warm weather. The trail is flat, a rarity in Western North Carolina. This is a great short trail that is not far from civilization and well traveled by people and dogs.
Directions: From Asheville, take 26 West to the second Weaverville exit, marked 25/70 ‘Marshall.’ Follow 25/70 for about 15 miles. Pass through the small town of Marshall and past several river rafting companies. Shortly after this, look for a green sign at an intersection, pointing to Hot Springs. At this intersection, notice the parking area to the left of the building. This is the parking area for the river trail. The trailhead is to the far left of the parking lot.
The Southern Appalachian and Smokey Mountains are some of the most breathtaking and scenic mountains in the U.S. Remember to prepare for quick changes in climate whether you are visiting or already own some Asheville North Carolina real estate.
By: Elizabeth Kirwin
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Elizabeth Kirwin is a travel and leisure writer who publishes articles on the Asheville and Western North Carolina area and other popular travel destinations in the United States. Her writing focuses on artistic, cultural, historical, and educational views of the areas she writes about. Visit www.whispernc.com or email info@whispernc.com for more information.
Western NC Waterfalls (Linville Falls)
CLICK HERE to watch video & to see more pictures of the Falls & the Caverns.
Scenic trips to see waterfalls, foliage in Western NC
Scenic trips to see waterfalls, foliage in ASHEVILLE, NC — Some of the prettiest places to see fall foliage in Western North Carolina also offer scenic views of waterfalls…
Wild Nature Photography by Juan A. Pons » Blog Archive
Over the past few weeks I have gotten a handful of requests to run a fall foliage & waterfall photo workshop in western North Carolina.
Western North Carolina: The Grotto – Waterfall Landscape
Western North Carolina … “This one is a beautiful waterfall in the Smoky Mountains. It takes a hike to see this one, but it sure is nice.
Fall Season in Asheville, NC and on the Blue Ridge Parkway
A short distance from the Parkway, further into Pisgah, reveals gorgeous streaming waterfalls which illuminate the fall foliage. The bright colors supply a wondrous backdrop…
Hikes & Waterfalls near Highlands & Cashiers « Asheville
The area around Cashiers and Highlands, North Carolina, is definitely an outdoor lover’s paradise, with many waterfalls and great hiking trails.
Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!
One comment
How to Plan a Leaf Viewing Asheville Mountain Vacation on October 19, 2009 at 1:18 pm
[...] addition to scenic drives and hikes, this is also a wonderful time of year to experience the Asheville area’s commitment to [...]