If you are unfamiliar with the Western North Carolina area, one thing that we are well known for is our outdoor life. When you have mountains like ours, you just want to spend as much of your time as you can being outside. We at Orchard Inn are so fortunate to not only live in the area but our B&B has some amazing mountain views as well. Through the years, one area activity has replaced many as the most favorite, hiking. When you are thinking about hiking near Asheville NC, there are many places you can go. Here are a few that we love!
Hiking Near Asheville NC on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Most of the hiking on the Blue Ridge Parkway is a part of the Mountains to the Sea Trail which is also another fantastic trail to check out when you can. However, the hiking near Asheville that we are going to focus on are short trails that are great to combine for an afternoon of hiking. The first is the Visitor Center Loop which is a short 1.2 miles and most of it is smooth and perfect for hikers of any experience level. If you are looking for more of a challenge then we suggest the Craven Gap trail. It is listed as moderate and there can be some obstacles on the trail so be sure to allow plenty of time to finish this 2.5-mile trail. Lastly is the Bull Gap trail. It is also moderate and is 2.6 miles and is said to be one of the best hikes in this area.
Hiking Near Asheville NC with Killer Views
When you think about going hiking, one of the best parts is the view from the top. Here in Western North Carolina, there is no shortage of views. If you are looking for a great 360 view as well as a long range view, then we suggest heading to Craggy Gardens. While this is a very popular place to go, there are never too many people on the trail at one time to make you feel like you are crowded. This trail is off of the Blue Ridge Parkway and is an easy 30-minute hike perfect for adults and kids. Another one that is close is Max Patch. This one is unique because of the vegetation that grows on it. Because of our unique climate, the top of Max patch is considered bald because it is too warm for alpine growth and the elevation is too high for other trees to grow as well. Because of this also, you will get amazing unobstructed views of nearby mountains.
Culture in Asheville on the Urban Trail
If you are looking for a bit of the city while you walk, one of the best hiking trails near Asheville is the Urban Trail. This is a walking tour of downtown Asheville that will lead you to the cultural sights that make Asheville what it is. The whole trail takes about 2 hours to complete and is well marked throughout Asheville. The Urban Trail starts with Marker 1 and goes up to Marker 30. Be sure to download their map and get a chance to familiarize yourself with it so you can have a great time.
As you can see there are many ways to enjoy hiking near Asheville NC. Many groups and couples enjoy coming to the Western North Carolina mountains for many reasons. When you do decide to come, consider staying with us at Orchard Inn. Our B&B is the perfect place to relax and take in nature. Many of our rooms and cottages have amazing views of our slice of the mountains here in Saluda. Each morning join us in our dining room where you will be guaranteed to have great views while you eat a delicious breakfast. Contact us today and begin planning a fun and exciting trip to go hiking near Asheville NC.
