Best Hiking in Asheville, North Carolina: 18 Trails Worth the Drive
Asheville is nestled in a stunning bowl of mountains, which means the tricky part isn’t finding a trail—it’s deciding which one to tackle first. With the Blue Ridge Parkway, Pisgah National Forest, and several state parks all within an hour’s drive, this little gem in western North Carolina boasts some of the best hiking options around. Whether you’re in the mood for a leisurely flat mile with a breathtaking view or a challenging 12-mile trek to the highest peak east of the Mississippi, you’re in for a treat.
Find the right Asheville trail for your day
This guide brings together the trails that locals swear by, sorted by difficulty so you can easily find a hike that fits your fitness level, your schedule, and how many kids or hesitant friends are joining you on the adventure.
Short, scenic walking with rhododendron blooms and mountain views.
A short route ending at a waterfall and swimming hole.
A short climb leading to rewarding mountain vistas.
A waterfall-filled route in DuPont State Recreational Forest.
A demanding mountain hike to the highest peak east of the Mississippi.
Best Hiking in Asheville, North Carolina
If you’re short on time but still want to hit the trails, these spots are a must. For easy, family-friendly strolls, check out Craggy Gardens, Skinny Dip Falls, and Max Patch. They offer stunning views without requiring too much effort. If you’re up for a moderate challenge that comes with a rewarding vista, give Craggy Pinnacle, Devil’s Courthouse, or the Triple Falls Trail in DuPont State Recreational Forest a shot. And for those looking to really break a sweat, Mount Mitchell, Graybeard Trail, and Looking Glass Rock will push your limits while treating you to some of the most breathtaking sights in the Appalachians.
The best part? Almost every trail on this list is free to explore, conveniently located near downtown Asheville, and can be tackled in just one afternoon. That’s what makes this area perfect for both newcomers to hiking and seasoned pros. No matter your pace, you’ll discover that Asheville, North Carolina, has some fantastic hiking options just waiting for you!
Why Asheville Offers the Best Hiking in North Carolina
Ashevilles location is the story. The city sits off the Blue Ridge Parkway, a scenic road that winds through the Wikipedia-documented Blue Ridge Mountains and connects to dozens of trailheads without ever leaving pavement. Add in the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests. Mount Mitchell State Park and you have a genuinely enormous trail network within an hour or two of Asheville.
Why the location matters
You are never far from a waterfall, a grassy bald or a rock overlook, and most of these trails are short enough to knock out two or three in a day if you are motivated.
That density is why so many “best hiking” lists focus on Asheville specifically. It is a part of why people searching for the best hiking in Asheville North Carolina keep coming back to the same handful of trailheads.
Best Easy Hiking in Asheville North Carolina for Beginners
If you are new to hiking or you have children with you these trails show that the best hiking in Asheville North Carolina can be easy. None of them needs distances or steep climbs. Each trail is short enough for a half-day trip and gentle enough, for first-timers.
Craggy Gardens
A trail that is 1.4 to 1.9 miles long is located next to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Craggy Gardens is known for its rhododendron flowers in early, to June. During that time the trail is completely covered with pink and purple flowers. Even a short walk of just a quarter mile takes you right into the middle of the flowers. In the part of the summer you can find blackberries and blueberries growing along the path.
Skinny Dip Falls
This 0.9-mile round trip trail is short and flat. Ends at a real swimming hole under a waterfall. A special mix that makes it one of the best hikes near Asheville for a hot summer afternoon. The water is cold and refreshing. Although some hikers jump from the rocks, above the swimming hole isn’t very deep so be careful if you want to take a dip.
Max Patch
Max Patch is on the Appalachian Trail near Hot Springs. It’s a 1.4 mile hike straight to the summit (or 2.4 if you take the looping route around the mountain). It’s a grassy bald with little tree cover, so the views are immediate and dramatic in 360 degrees. Best to visit on a clear sky day, the whole thing is about the panorama.
Linville Falls Trailhead
Erwin’s View Trail (1.6 miles round trip): A trail to expansive views of Linville Gorge and the multi-tiered Linville Falls. It’s a nice, well-maintained trail, perfect for a picnic stop.
Fryingpan Mountain Observation Tower
This short 1.5-mile trail climbs a paved slope in Pisgah National Forest to a historic fire tower that rises to over 5,300 feet above sea level. The stair climb up the tower (which involves squeezing through a floor hatch on some routes) offers a full 360-degree view that is the match of hikes twice as long. Better to go at sunset.
Best Moderate Hiking Asheville North Carolina
These moderate hikes near Asheville are a step up in elevation gain and a little more distance, but they don’t become an all-day affair once you’ve checked a few easy trails off your list. This is the level where many hikers say they found the best hiking Asheville North Carolina has to offer challenging enough to feel earned, but not so long that it eats your whole day.
Craggy Peak
A 0.9-mile roundtrip trail that gradually rises to a rocky summit with views over several mountain ranges and down into a protected watershed. Short enough to join with Craggy Gardens for a half day’s hiking on the same stretch of parkway.
Devil’s Courthouse
It’s a steep mile (a half a mile up, a half a mile down) on this round trip but the reward is a summit view that extends into four states: Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. There are benches along the way to catch your breath and the sunset visits are especially memorable.
Triple Falls Trail at DuPont State Recreational Forest
DuPont ranks among the least appreciated locations in Asheville, NC, with some of the most fantastic hikes around. The main loop is about 3 miles long and takes you past Triple Falls, High Falls, Hooker Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls once you go onto additional trails. The difficulty level is low with only a couple of steep sections, but what truly makes it stand out is the abundance of waterfalls on one trail.
Bearwallow Mountain Trail
The trail is 2.1 miles long with a consistent climb ending on an open summit usually occupied by cows from a local farm. Because of the openness of the summit area, there are great panoramic views of the mountain ranges surrounding you.
Black Balsam Knob (Art Loeb Trail)
A short, 1.5-mile loop hike (or 5 miles if you connect it to Tennent Mountain nearby), this hike takes you up a grassy mountain top with one of the most incredible panoramic views in the state. The hike isn’t technical at all, making it perfect for family groups who don’t want to work hard for views.
Waterrock Knob
1.2 miles round trip along the Smoky Mountain part of the Blue Ridge Parkway. It begins with an entrance to a clearing offering views of the mountains from miles away, and it is particularly scenic during early mornings, when the valleys are blanketed by fog.
Graveyard Fields Loop
A well-traveled route of about 3.2 to 3.3 miles on the parkway, which includes views of wildflowers, wild blueberries (when they are in season), and both Lower and Upper Falls. The bottom half of the trail is paved and has boardwalks, thus allowing access even to inexperienced hikers.
John Rock Loop
This moderately difficult loop trail is 5.5 miles in length and offers great views of the forest canopy from above. It is a great trail choice after gaining experience on trails that are less than 3 miles in length.
Best Hard-Core Hikes in Asheville North Carolina For Serious Hikers
These are some of the hardest hikes around Asheville for serious elevation and distance gains. If your goal is finding the best hiking in Asheville North Carolina, this list will help guide you in that pursuit.
Mount Mitchell Trail
If you were to ask any resident in Asheville, North Carolina what is the toughest trail for hiking in the area, most of them will name Mount Mitchell. It is the highest peak east of the Mississippi River, and you may take a tough 11 or 12 mile hike or a short 5.6 mile round hike from the main trailhead of the state park. Both have an ascent of around 3,600 feet of elevation. Make sure you bring plenty of food and water since altitude can be an issue. The summit around the parking area is usually crowded with tourists who are walking the paved road up.
Graybeard Trail
An exciting 9.2-mile round-trip hike within the Pisgah National Forest featuring many switchbacks, a beautiful waterfall in the middle of the trail (which would serve as an excellent turnaround point if you don’t wish to do the total mileage), and a couple of viewpoints throughout the journey. The ascent to the top is difficult, but definitely worth it!
Looking Glass Rock Trail
A 10-kilometer loop trail that leads up to the base of Looking Glass Rock, which is perhaps the most iconic granite dome in the Pisgah National Forest area. It’s a tough uphill climb, but the view from above is worth the effort!
Catawba Falls
The trail to the bottom falls is an easy 1.5-mile hike, but extending to the top falls is an extra challenging 0.5 mile requiring you to climb up a steep hill with the help of a fixed rope. As most visitors stop at the bottom falls, the pool at the top falls is usually serene. Be careful with the slippery rocks near the base; this part of the trail can be risky for reckless hikers.
Mount Mitchell to Potato Hill (Deep Gap Trail)
The starting point of this hike is again from the Mount Mitchell parking lot and extends along a string of mountain peaks, as long as one wishes to hike. A popular turnaround point of a 7-mile hike on this trail is Potato Hill. This trail is rare in that it shows subalpine vegetation usually found only further north.
Asheville North Carolina Best Waterfall Hikes
Western North Carolina has an abundance of waterfalls, and there are some very good hiking in Asheville North Carolina trails dedicated specifically to viewing them.
Rainbow Falls
3-mile loop: A spectacular 150-foot waterfall in the Nantahala National Forest and the possibility of extending the hike another mile to Turtleback Falls.
Schoolhouse Falls
2.6-mile loop: A peaceful 20-foot waterfall with a swimming hole at its base and the ability to view from behind the waterfall when there is enough water flow.
Crabtree Falls
2.6-mile loop: An easy hike with slight inclines that will take you to one of the most picturesque waterfalls in the area.
Moore Cove Falls
1.5-mile loop: A 50-foot waterfall located between two other well-known waterfalls, and often far less crowded than those due to a short and shaded hike.
Twin Falls Trail
4-mile loop: A mostly flat trail with several creek crossings, which ends with two waterfalls on top of one another.
Comparing the Top Trails at a Glance
Use this table as a quick reference for the best hiking in Asheville North Carolina before you pick a trailhead.
| Trail | Distance | Difficulty | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Craggy Gardens | 1.4–1.9 mi | Easy | Rhododendron blooms |
| Skinny Dip Falls | 0.9 mi | Easy | Swimming hole |
| Max Patch | 1.4–2.4 mi | Easy | Appalachian Trail bald |
| Devil’s Courthouse | 1 mi | Moderate | Four-state view |
| DuPont Triple Falls | ~3 mi | Moderate | Multiple waterfalls |
| Black Balsam Knob | 1.5–5 mi | Moderate | 360-degree views |
| Mount Mitchell | 5.6–12 mi | Strenuous | Highest peak east of the Mississippi |
| Graybeard Trail | 9.2 mi | Strenuous | Switchbacks and waterfall |
| Looking Glass Rock | 6.4 mi | Strenuous | Granite dome summit |
Suggestions for Safe Hiking in Asheville, NC
Here are a few simple tips that will help you enjoy each of these hikes a bit easier, especially if you’re not yet a seasoned hiker. Good safety practice goes hand in hand with the choice of trail to ensure that you make the most of the hiking in Asheville North Carolina has to offer:
Check the weather forecast in advance. The climate in the mountains changes rapidly, and the temperature at high elevations may be 10 to 15 degrees lower than the temperature in downtown Asheville during the summer season.
There are plenty of black bears living in Western North Carolina. Make some noise on the trail, pack food properly and never feed wildlife.
Share your hiking plans with someone. Whether you’re going on an easy loop or the best hiking in Asheville North Carolina has to offer, sending a quick text message with your trailhead and estimated time of arrival is one of the easiest ways to stay safe, and it becomes increasingly important on longer trails, this article explains why in more detail.
Be aware of seasonal closures. Parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway may be closed due to the winter conditions, limiting your access to trailheads such as Craggy Gardens, Waterrock Knob and Mount Mitchell.
Mind the altitude gain. Some of these hikes require more climbing than you might expect from looking at the map – for those who are curious about how much elevation gain is considered a lot, take a look at this guide before climbing Mount Mitchell or Graybeard.
Getting Started With Hiking in Asheville, North Carolina
If this is your real hiking trip, begin on an easy trail such as Craggy Gardens, Skinny Dip Falls, or Linville Falls. These trails are forgiving, marked, and short enough that you can stop early if you feel tired. People who are still learning trail skills often choose these trails. I have a guide that explains how much elevation gain is a lot hiking and how to build up distance safely.
Begin with an easy trail before moving to longer routes and greater elevation gain.
Many trails include creek crossings or wet rock, so dependable traction matters.
Bring water, a rain shell and enough supplies for the distance and elevation.
A few pieces of gear can make a difference on these trails. Wear shoes that give good grip; many trails include creek crossings or wet rock. Bring a rain shell and carry enough water for the height and distance. If you plan to climb, such as on Bearwallow Mountain or Graybeard, trekking poles may reduce knee strain on the way down. I have a review on whether hiking poles are worth bringing.
One thing to remember
The right gear does not make a trail easy, but it does make the best hiking in Asheville, North Carolina, more comfortable. This is especially true on routes like Mount Mitchell or Graybeard Trail.
FAQs
What is the best easy hike in Asheville for beginners?
Craggy Gardens, Skinny Dip Falls, Max Patch, Linville Falls and Fryingpan Mountain Observation Tower are among the easiest options in this guide. They offer shorter distances and manageable terrain while still providing scenic views or waterfall experiences.
What is the best hike near Asheville for mountain views?
Max Patch, Black Balsam Knob, Devil’s Courthouse, Waterrock Knob and Mount Mitchell all offer memorable mountain views. For beginners, Max Patch and Waterrock Knob provide especially rewarding scenery without requiring a very long hike.
What is the hardest hike near Asheville?
Mount Mitchell Trail is one of the toughest options featured in this guide because of its long distance and approximately 3,600 feet of elevation gain. Graybeard Trail and Looking Glass Rock Trail are also challenging choices for experienced hikers.
Which Asheville hiking trails are best for waterfalls?
Skinny Dip Falls, Triple Falls, Catawba Falls, Rainbow Falls, Schoolhouse Falls, Crabtree Falls, Moore Cove Falls and Twin Falls Trail are highlighted in this guide for waterfall scenery. The best choice depends on how much distance and climbing you want to handle.
What should I bring when hiking around Asheville?
Bring enough water and food for your route, shoes with good grip, a rain shell and appropriate layers for changing mountain conditions. On longer or steeper hikes, trekking poles can also be useful. Check the weather and any seasonal trail or parkway closures before leaving.
Conclusion
There is not just one “best” trail in Asheville; there is a whole area designed for hiking that caters to all fitness levels. If you are new to hiking, start off with an easy trail, then work up to the more difficult trails as your legs get used to it. No matter which trail you end up taking, always keep the weather conditions and daylight in mind.
The best hiking in Asheville, NC is worth the effort.
