On the evening of March 23, 2023, a rare and magical event graced the skies of North Carolina – the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights. While this phenomenon is typically associated with more northern latitudes, a lucky few in North Carolina were able to...
The McKinney Gap Boulders are a new bouldering area just north of Asheville with high quality rock in a dense zone with a nice selection of fun climbs that range from moderately difficult (v2-v4) to a handful of classic hard problems in the v6-v10 range. The area was developed in large...
Ride Rock Creek Mountain Bike Park is a world-class mountain biking destination with over 30 miles of professionally designed and built trails. The park features everything from beginner-friendly flow trails to challenging downhill runs, making it an ideal destination for riders of all...
Nestled in the heart of the Pisgah National Forest, just a short drive from Asheville, lies one of the best climbing destinations in the Southeast: Looking Glass Rock. With its stunning views, challenging climbs, and world-class reputation, Looking Glass is a must-visit destination for...
Graveyard Fields Hiking Trail (Blue Ridge Parkway): A moderate 3.2-mile out and back hike through a high alpine valley with two picturesque waterfalls. Start the hike at the lower end of the parking area. To access Second Falls, hike down the steep paved path and cross the river...
Skinny Dip Falls: This three-tiered waterfall along the Yellowstone Prong drops a total of 30 feet through a rocky bend in an ice-cold mountain stream. Perched on the edge of the tallest falls is a rock that juts over a deep plunge pool. While we can’t say that the waterfalls are...
Warren Wilson Running Trails: The numerous hiking and running trails at Warren Wilson College are some of our personal favorites. The area is home to miles of great singletrack that carves through rolling meadows and beautiful forests seemingly endless options for exploration. One of our...
Roan Mountain Hiking Trails: The Appalachian Trail, the nation’s longest marked footpath at 2,178 miles, has numerous access points near Asheville. We like the rugged Roan Mountain section near Bakersville. From the Carver’s Gap (5,500 feet) parking area we recommend heading...
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...
Tuckaseegee River Fly Fishing: Looking for a fun time fly fishing? We recommend heading west from Asheville to tussle with a trout on The Tuck. Located near Western Carolina University, the Tuckaseegee is a tailrace formed by two dam-fed forks. From the Hwy 107 bridge at Love Field to the...
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...
Mountain Biking At Lake James (Paddy’s Creek Bike Trails): Taking a mountain bike ride on the extensive trail system at Lake James State Park is a great way to enjoy the outdoors at your own pace. Around 15 miles of singletrack mountain bike trails are now open at the...
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...
Ride The Blue Ridge Parkway (Asheville Cycling – Road Rides): On the Blue Ridge Parkway there is roughly 27 miles of steady climbing on one of the most famous roads in America make this one of the best Asheville road rides for cyclists looking to experience the beauty and challenge...
Are you an adventure seeker looking for a new way to explore the great outdoors? Look no further than M2S Bikes, an Asheville-based business that specializes in electric bikes. Electric bikes, also known as e-bikes, are a game-changer for outdoor enthusiasts. They provide a boost of power...
Raft The Ocoee: The dam-released whitewater of the Ocoee River offers southeastern whitewater enthusiasts the opportunity to sample reliable whitewater even during the hottest and driest summer months. Middle Ocoee’s numerous rapids and river formations offer a wealth of currents...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 cresting the...
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...
Coontree Picnic Area & Swimming Hole: One of Brevard’s best swimming holes 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...
Explore Lake James: Large 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 and the nearby Linville Gorge. Your best bet for...
French Broad River Family Fun: The French Broad River flows 219 miles starting in nearby Transylvania County northward through Asheville into Tennessee. Along the way the river provides some excellent recreational opportunities including whitewater rafting and more mellow floats and...
Azalea Road Park Dog Friendly Trails: Azalea Park along the Swannanoa River in east Asheville has several dog-friendly options. The real gems of the park are the Swannanoa River and great mountain views. There is a trail that runs along the river that is ideal for a flat, easy walk with...
Wilma Dykeman Riverway: Bike, walk, or run the Wilma Dykeman Riverway – Carrier Park and the French Broad River Park (part of the Wilma Dykman RiverWay) on Amboy Road offer two miles of flat, paved greenway trails perfect for biking with younger children. Pedal by the French Broad...
Montreat Trails: The trail system above Montreat College boasts over 20 miles of hiking trails on 2500 pristine acres. With so many trails to choose from we suggest stopping at the Montreat Conference Center to pick up a trail map or view it online by clicking the image below. A suggested...
Cedar Rock Mountain Biking Trail: Short but sweet, the 1.5-mile Cedar Rock Trail features a steep climb up large slabs of granite and tops out with killer views of Dupont State Forest. Take Big Rock trail from the top of the mountain for a fast, technical downhill over slickrock and...
Bent Creek Trail Running (Asheville): Combine the 2.1-mile Wolf Branch and the 0.6-mile Ledford Trail to create a seamless single-track run across streambeds and through pine and fern forests. Bent Creek is an endless outdoor paradise so grab a map and add some other trails for a longer...
Ledges Whitewater River Park (Asheville): When it comes to whitewater paddling, the Asheville area is known as one of the top destinations in the east. For local paddlers looking to hone their skills, the Ledges Whitewater Park has long been a fun destination for a short session on the...
French Broad River: One of the most popular new activities to hit the Asheville area is the sport of Standup Paddle Boarding-a cross between canoeing and surfing that first got its start in the ocean. Folks here in Asheville prefer to get their kicks on the French Broad River. The slow...
The Chimneys (Linville Gorge, Pisgah NF): The .7-mile hike to the 21 Chimneys atop Linville Gorge is among the most beautiful vistas in North Carolina, amidst one of the most remote areas in the Blue Ridge. The steep climbs are a great area to set up top ropes, with slightly overhanging...
Rumbling Bald Rock Climbing & Bouldering: In 2008, the state parks system acquired a tract of land for Chimney Rock State Park that assures public access to this climbing wonderland. The mountain’s cliffs are known for their ultra-classic crack climbing, thin face...
North Side Boulders At Looking Glass Rock: Tucked away beneath the 500-foot-tall North Face of Looking Glass Rock are a handful of classic boulder problems well worth a visit. Thanks to the blocky granite of Looking Glass, the boulders have a unique style unlike most other areas in WNC...
Graybeard Hiking Trail (Black Mountain): This adventure heads east of Asheville to the Montreat Conference Center. At 2,500 acres of pristine wilderness open and ready for an awesome outdoor experience. The landmass of the Montreat community, as a whole, is approximately 4,000...
Cedar Rock Trad Climbing (Pisgah National Forest): With a vast difficulty range that accommodates all skill levels and over two dozen varied climbs, Cedar Rock is a popular yet typically uncrowded climbing spot. The dome’s main wall features classic climbs like Cedar Pie and Toads R...
DuPont Mountain Bike Trails: The DuPont State Recreational Forest is renown for its incredible waterfalls and excellent trails for hiking, running and mountain biking. With nearly 100 miles of mountain biking trails coursing their way through the beautiful forests just outside of...
Ridgeline Mountain Biking Trail: This incredible trail is as close to riding a roller coaster on two wheels as you can get! Start at Lake Imaging Parking area in Dupont State Forest and head through the gate up the forest road. Take the second left up Jim Branch Trail and get your...
Kitsuma Mountain Bike Trail: Kitsuma in the Pisgah National Forest is one of the more “famous” mountain bike trails in the Asheville area. So famous in fact Litespeed named one of their bikes after this trail. The suggested ride is a 10-mile loop with close to 2,200 feet of elevation...
Catawba River Paddling: Below Linville Dam on Lake James, the Catawba River flows through scenic woodlands, around islands, and over a series of small and exciting rapids until it reaches the nearby town of Morganton. The river features beautiful scenery with clean, cold and clear...
Paddle Lake Lure: There are several options available for access to the lake. You can purchase a daily, weekly, monthly or annual boat permit through the Town of Lake Lure. Launches for boats, kayaks and canoes are located at Washburn Marina and behind the ABC Liquor Store on...
Hike Chimney Rock: Chimney Rock is one of the most popular outdoor attractions in North Carolina. With its wide range of outdoor experiences, this is a great family-friendly destination for those seeking the best of the mountains in one place. The Park features five unique hiking...
Nolichucky River – Class II, III, IV: Passing through remote wilderness, the Nolichucky combines the best of both for adventure and nature lovers. The free-flowing river runs strongest in the spring, traveling through a remote gorge on the full-day paddle. Challenge the Nolichucky’s...
Bearwallow Mountain (Asheville): The hike up Bearwallow Mountain is a strenuous two-mile round trip hike with over 500 feet in elevation gain. The mostly grassy summit of Bearwallow Mountain stands at 4,232 feet above sea level and is the highest peak in the Bearwallow Highlands Range...
Ready to kick back, relax and take in the scenic beauty of the mountains from the seat of your boat? If the answer is yes, then the Biltmore Estate section of the French Broad River Paddle Trail may be just what you’re after. When it comes to a relaxing summer adventure...
Explore Lake Lure (Chimney Rock): Rent a canoe or kayak and paddle the warm waters of Lake Lure, a mountain lake nestled in the heart of Hickory Nut Gorge. Rocky domes and green peaks surround the family-friendly lake on all sides. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent at the Lake Lure...