Asheville Travel Guide | Outdoor Adventure + Things To Do

Category Asheville

Deep Gap Hiking Trail (Asheville)

Deep Gap Hiking Trail (Asheville): In just 4.5 miles, Deep Gap Trail crosses four 6,000-foot peaks while taking hikers across rocky out croppings and through spruce-fir forests. This trail takes you down Mt. Mitchell and up to the peak of Mt. Craig. Also, don’t forget your binoculars because this is a great spot to catch a glimpse of the Winter Wren and Blackburnian Warbler. Directions from Asheville: Head north on the Blue Ridge Parkway to milepost 388 to the...

Southern Appalachian Loop Trail

The Southern Appalachian Loop Trail measures over 350 miles in length. First pieced together by Matt Kirk, the SALT, is currently 99.4 percent complete. With the exception of a sliver of undeveloped land on the state line between North Carolina and South Carolina in Transylvania County, it’s already open to the public for hiking. As a loop, you can...

Smallmouth On The French Broad (Asheville)

Hook A Smallmouth On The French Broad (Asheville): Float for smallmouth through the Biltmore Estate. For those who want to play Huck Finn for a day, float by raft or drift boat through the Biltmore Estate is the way to go. Drift past forests and vineyards, casting crease flies and poppers to feisty smallmouth bass that lurk along the...

Ocoee River Gorge (Smoky Mountains)

Raft The Ocoee: While not technically a western North Carolina river, the Ocoee River’s close proximity to the mountains of North Carolina make it a top trip for those looking to sample some of the southeast’s finest whitewater. The dam-released whitewater of the Ocoee River offers southeastern whitewater enthusiasts the opportunity to sample reliable whitewater even during the hottest...

Alexander Bike Park (Asheville)

Alexander Bike Park (Asheville): Located adjacent to the French Broad River about 15 minutes north of town, this seldom used mountain bike park offers a variety of sweet singletrack for you and your pooch. Combine the two loops for an intermediate ride of an hour and a half. There is not much water along the trail so either bring some water for your dog or hit the French Broad River after the ride. Directions from Asheville: Take I-26...

Historic Montford Road Run (Asheville)

Historic Montford Road Run (Asheville): Starting from the northern edge of downtown, the historic neighborhood of Montford is packed with century-old arts and crafts architecture as well as the Riverside Cemetery, a popular running destination with car-free paths passing by the gravesites of Asheville’s most prominent citizens, including Thomas Wolfe and O. Henry. If you head straight down Montford...

Corn Mill Shoals Running Trail (Brevard)

Corn Mill Shoals Running Trail: The Corn Mill Shoals Trail consists of some fast and fun singletrack that crosses the Little River and ends at one of Dupont’s most famous waterfalls, Bridal Veil Falls. The Corn Mills Shoals Trail is a little over 2.5 miles to the waterfall. After viewing the falls, you could hit the Bridal Overlook Trail...

North Mills River Recreation Area (Asheville)

North Mills River Dog Friendly Recreation Area: The vast Mills River area is part of Pisgah National Forest opposite Bent Creek just across the Pisgah Ridge. We like this area for the many camping options and rivers to explore. A great option in the area is to head up to the Trace Ridge trailhead which gives you access to...

Mountains To Sea Running Trail (Asheville)

Mountains To Sea Running Trail (Asheville): The MST parallels the Blue Ridge Parkway on the edge of Asheville, offering trail runners easy access to extensive forest runs. From the Folk Art Center, head north for a steady climb up to the Haw Creek Overlook, or head south for an easier out and back over rolling terrain with mostly flat terrain (for the WNC mountains at least) all the way to the French Broad River and the N.C. Arboretum. Longer...

Sam Knob Summit Hiking Trail (Brevard)

The Sam Knob Summit Hiking Trail is considered one of the “Best Hikes In Asheville.” This 2.2-mile out and back hike starts at 5,800 feet in elevation and ascends through a “Canadian” ecosystem of evergreen forests and expansive meadows until it reaches the double peak of Sam Knob at 6,050 feet. Many say the 360-degree view from this 6,000-foot...

Green’s Lick Mountain Bike Trail (Asheville)

Greenslick Mountain Bike Trail: With 2.5 miles of technical single-track that drops 800 feet in a constant barrage of high berms, rolling whoop-dedos, and big jumps, Green’s Lick is a local favorite and one of the most popular mountain bike rides in Asheville. If you’re looking for a fun ride of around two hours that takes in one of...

Max Patch Hiking Trail (Asheville)

Max Patch Hiking Trail (Asheville): For those in great hiking shape who want a wonderful Appalachian Trail day hiking experience, this is a perfect route to take. At approximately 20 miles in distance with a couple of shelters along the way to Hot Springs, this is a popular section for backpackers. But, for those that enjoy long mileage days, it...

Elk Mountain Highway Road Ride (Asheville)

Elk Mountain Scenic Parkway (Asheville Road Cycling): The quintessential road ride for Asheville cyclists is the Elk Mountain Scenic Highway and it definitely packs a punch. This challenging ride begins with a steep, leg-crushing climb up Elk Mountain Scenic Highway before mellowing out as the road passes through a beautiful pastoral area with great views of the valley below. Take a break at Buzzard Rock before heading south on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Town Mountain Rd. for a...

Looking Glass Rock Trail (Brevard)

Looking Glass Rock Trail (Brevard): Looking Glass Rock’s stone face is one of the more recognizable landmarks from the Blue Ridge Parkway. The shear face is a popular climbing spot while the trail to the summit rewards hikers with stunning views. This moderately difficult hike climbs 1700 feet in 3 miles and is well marked with yellow blazes. As...

Oconaluftee River Fly Fishing

Hook A Hawg On The Cherokee Reservation: Ready to hook up with a hawg on the fly rod? We recommend heading to the Oconaluftee. While most mountain trout average 9″ – 10″, on the heavily stocked Oconaluftee trout are measured in pounds, not inches. A 2.2-mile stretch near the Blue Ridge Parkway offers catch-and-release fishing for hatchery-raised brook, brown,...

Swim At Coontree Picnic Area (Brevard)

Coontree Picnic Area & Swimming Hole: One of Brevard’s best swimming hole and a great place to stop for a picnic in Pisgah National Forest is found at the Coontree Recreation Area in Pisgah National Forest, located just outside of Brevard on US 276. While there are a lot of nice swimming holes and sliding rocks on Davidson River to explore,...

Explore Lake James (Morganton)

Explore Lake James: Lake James AdventuresLarge lakes with expansive mountain views are hard to come by in the Asheville area. However, just 40 miles east is the 6500 acre Lake James with 150 miles of shoreline and sweet views of the Black Mountain Range. Your best bet for recreation is the Lake James State Park which currently covers 600 acres with another 3000+ acres (graciously donated by Crescent Resources) opening for public use. Bring family and friends to one...

French Broad River Water Adventures (Asheville)

French Broad River Paddling + Rafting + Tubing: The French Broad River flows 218 miles starting in nearby Transylvania County into Tennessee and provides some excellent whitewater rafting and float opportunities in the area. The river is calm as it cuts around downtown Asheville, but it’s a torrent of whitewater further west near Hot Springs. For a relaxing day...

Azalea Road Park (Asheville)

Wilma Dykeman Riverway (Asheville)

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