Framed by the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is surrounded by scenic outdoor beauty. It's a city known for its acclaimed shopping and dining, an abundance of craft breweries, a vibrant arts community, and an active music scene.
The Blue Ridge Parkway, the south's iconic drive, meanders through the city, offering quick access to a scenic drive with spectacular views. Only four hours from Atlanta, Asheville is a great weekend getaway to a Southern city with a distinct culture and some stunning scenery.
If you're looking for an outdoor adventure, Asheville is the perfect destination. Surrounding Asheville, soaring mountain summits and tumbling waterfalls fill the landscape of western North Carolina. The city offers easy access to some exceptional hiking and backpacking trails, great rafting and paddling, and legendary cycling on the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway.
Hiking
Up for a hike with some spectacular views? Asheville offers some great nearby options through its mountains.
Hike through a waterfall-filled river valley on the Catawba Falls Trail near Old Fort. It's a moderate hike (fewer than 3 miles), following the Catawba River through a shady forest to a series of waterfalls and a small, historical dam.
Chase waterfalls in the DuPont State Recreational Forest, a former filming location for "The Last of the Mohicans" and "The Hunger Games," south of Asheville near Brevard. Take the DuPont State Forest Three Falls Hike to visit three of the park's most popular waterfalls: the towering, tumbling cascades of High Falls; a trio of waterfalls at Triple Falls; and the popular summer swimming hole at Hooker Falls. Spotting five waterfalls in 5 miles makes it a must-do hike for waterfall lovers.
Hike an especially scenic stretch of the Appalachian Trail at Max Patch, a grassy, wildflower-covered bald northeast of Asheville near Hot Springs, North Carolina. The Max Patch Mountain summit offers abundant sunshine, wild blackberries and blueberries in the summer, and exceptional, 360-degree views year round.
Drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the South's most scenic drives, to access a number of great beginner-friendly hikes, including the popular trails at Linville Falls, Craggy Gardens, Mount Mitchell and Devils Courthouse.
For a great moderate hike (or trail run) near the city, follow the Mountains to Sea Trail along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Access the trail from a number of points on the parkway; one of the easiest (and most popular) is at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway just east of downtown.
Paddling
Float the French Broad River by kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard. The broad river flows slowly through much of Asheville, making it a great venue for a leisurely paddle or a session of stand-up paddleboard yoga.
Float a 6- to 12-mile stretch of the French Broad near downtown, following the river's flow past Biltmore Estate, through scenic wooded areas, and the gallery- and studio-filled River Arts District. Bring your own paddle gear or rent from a number of outfitters, including Asheville Adventure Rentals and Asheville Outdoor Center.
Rafting
Get your adrenaline flowing on a whitewater rafting trip. North of Asheville, the French Broad River runs a wilder course, flowing through class II to class IV whitewater rapids in the scenic Pisgah National Forest. Class I rapids are the easiest and safest, and class VI are the most difficult and dangerous. Guided rafting trips on the French Broad range from half-day to full-day adventures.
Venture east of the city to raft the Nantahala River, a clear course of class I to class III whitewater in the scenic Nantahala Gorge. Opt for a guided trip or paddle on your own; the river's mild flow makes it beginner- and family-friendly.
Pedaling
Asheville offers a multitude of biking options for cyclists. The Blue Ridge Parkway is one of Asheville's most popular cycling destinations, offering scenic views, rolling landscapes and lower speed limits for cars. Cycle the parkway near the city for a more mellow ride, or head north toward Craggy Gardens or south toward Mount Pisgah for more challenging, mountainous climbs.
For a leisurely ride with stately views, pedal a paved trail along the French Broad River at Biltmore. Bring your own bike or rent one from the on-site Bike Barn. Biltmore also offers more than 20 miles of unpaved trails through forests and meadows, offering mountain biking adventures that range from beginner-friendly to more technical.
Eric Champlin is an outdoor enthusiast, and the editor of AtlantaTrails.com and AshevilleTrails.com, online magazines that highlight the South's best outdoor adventures.
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