Hikes (For Everyone) Around Asheville

Let’s just preface this by saying that I’m not the “hike every week” person.  I’m fairly active, but I won’t be hitting the Appalachian Trail any time soon (ok, never).  But I do enjoy a nice hike that gives me some exercise and doesn’t cause my heart to explode in my chest.  There are an abundance of trails around Asheville, NC that offer great hiking- but knowing which ones are easy enough for the occasional or new hiker not to get discouraged with is sometimes difficult to gauge.

Here are the top hikes I enjoy (for various reasons) and that even my visitors that don’t hike have enjoyed as well.

• My favorite hike is Craggy Gardens- the views from all around the grassy summit are spectacular during all seasons.  The trail itself is just under 2 miles round trip, with some uphill terrain on the way in.  The trail is well marked and maintained and there are benches at various spots along the way if you would like to rest as well as a trail shelter close to the top.  Late spring/early summer is spectacular with Rhododendron blooms and late summer is perfect timing to snag some ripe blueberries.   You can access this trail off the Blue Ridge Parkway at the Visitor’s Center at milepost  364.  Take a picnic lunch and enjoy the amazing views from the top.  If you still want more hiking, go just past the Visitors Center to the next parking lot and hike the 1.4 miles round trip to Craggy Summit.   This is a nice hike as well, however the space at the top is small and often very crowded, but still worth the hike for the spectacular views.  Both of these trails are dog friendly so don’t leave your four legged companions at home!
  

  Rhododendron flank the bald in the late spring at Craggy Gardens.

   

• Catawba Falls comes in next as a very easy, moderate hike.  The trail is wide and very well used. A lot of people (and dogs) hike here.  Bridges were built over two of the stream crossing a couple of year ago, but there is still one place that requires maneuvering from rock to rock (or just wading through the shallow water).  As much as I love this hike in the summer and fall, my favorite time to go is in the winter when the falls are frozen.  Even with a lot of other hikers around, it is very peaceful.  During the warmer months there are a lot of places for kids (and adults) to play in the creek to cool off or just take a break.  For the more adventurous, once you reach the bottom of the falls, there is a narrow, steep trail along the boulders to climb up higher on the falls.  Keep in mind that the rocks are slick and people die here every year from falling off the falls.  Don’t be careless.

 

• Graveyard  Fields is a hike that was much different than what I expected.  Everything I read talked about the amazing views- and there are amazing views, but the majority of the views are from the top at the parking lot before you start the hike (with one exception so keep reading).  If you do just the Graveyard Fields loop it is a pretty easy hike through forests and and field full of mountain blueberries (which are ripe for the pickin’ around mid to late July).  Hint: take a picture of the trail map before you start out because there are a LOT of unmarked, but heavily traveled) side trails.  The trail is well marked at most of the major intersections, but I really wish I would have had a map with me as I took a couple of wrong turns (in all fairness, so did the guy in front of me).  The two side trails that are marked are the “Lower Falls” and “Upper Falls”, both of which are well worth the trek.  The trail to the upper falls is a little more strenuous, but is so worth it.  Once you reach the falls, well, you haven’t seen the best!  Take the narrow trail up through the rocks to climb above the first set of falls to a really spectacular view of the upper, upper falls.  Believe me, the view of the falls as well as the view out over the valley is worth the climb.  This is also a great spot to take a break and have a snack. There were a lot of people on the trail, but very few at the falls so I had peaceful lunch enjoying the view and the sounds of the falls.
  

  The Upper Falls at Graveyard Fields

• The Waterfall Hikes at DuPont State Forest.  I list this as the plural because there are a few options.  Depending on where you park, you can take a short hike to one fall, or an approximately 3 mile hike to three falls (Hooker, Triple and High Falls) or for a longer and more strenuous hike, keep going to Grassy Creek and Bridal Veil falls.  The falls offer excellent opportunities for photos and there are may places along the way to get in the water to cool off.  Or just take a break on a rock in the middle of the river and enjoy the peacefulness of listening to the rush of the water.

Comment below if you have tried any of these hikes or if there are others around Asheville you like that I should check out.