21+ Best Hikes near Asheville (That We’ve Actually Hiked)

Asheville sits in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, and it’s surrounded by some of the most beautiful hiking trails we’ve ever seen.

We spent every weekend exploring trails, chasing waterfalls, and soaking in mountain views during our time living in Asheville.

These are the absolute best hikes—the ones we still think about after moving away.

This list encompasses everything from short walks to longer adventures, featuring mountain views, forests, and gorges. And everything in between.

Whether you’re visiting or looking for new favorites close to home, these are the trails we loved most. And we think you’ll love them too.

But First, a Note:

The roads around Asheville are winding and take more time than you think. You’ll have to drive 1 to 1.5 hours to get to the absolute best hikes, but there are some smaller local hikes if you want something nearby.

If you do end up driving farther, don’t stress! Make a day trip of it and stop in the small surrounding towns for food, snacks, and breweries. I’ll include some suggestions below!

Trail Difficulty Ratings:

How do you know which difficulty rating is right for you? Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Easy: great for families, non-active, and/or older individuals; generally flat but not necessarily handicap accessible.
• Moderately easy: on the easier side of things for a hike, but requires some elevation gain, so it may not be suitable for young children or people who can’t walk on flat ground easily.
• Moderate: requires some decent elevation gain and/or distance. The average person could complete this hike, but it would require decent effort – bring snacks and water to fuel you. If you’re not active, you may suffer a bit, but it’s worth it.
• Moderately difficult: somewhere between moderate and difficult.
• Hard: longer distance and/or requires more difficult uphill effort. Active people and hikers will suffer a little, sedentary folks will definitely suffer, and may have difficulty completing this hike. Bring all the day hiking essentials and start your hike early.

Top Hiking Trails near Asheville

These trails are sorted in order of hiking distance, from shortest to longest.

Note that shorter doesn’t always mean easier, so check the elevation gain and difficulty level.

These are all hikes we’ve ACTUALLY been to (unless otherwise noted), so know that you’re getting the perspective from someone who’s really been there, done that.

Dupont State Recreational Forest

• Trail Length: 0.8-5.8 miles
• Elevation Gain: 137-807 ft.
• Difficulty: easy to moderate
• Distance from Asheville: 48 mins.
• Good for swimming? No

DuPont State Recreational Forest is one of the best outdoor spaces that’s a must-see in the Asheville area. I bet it’s one of the highest concentrations of waterfalls, and it quickly became one of our favorite places.

One of the best parts is that you can hike something super short to only one waterfall or hike upwards of six miles and visit four separate waterfalls.

Take this trail to Hooker Falls for 0.8 miles and 137 ft. of elevation gain.

This trail goes to the main falls of Triple Falls and High Falls (pictured above) with 2.3 miles and 308 ft. of elevation gain.

Add on Grassy Creek Falls to hit all four waterfalls. This means 5.8 miles and 807 ft. of elevation gain.

Linville Falls Overlook Trail

Distance: 1.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 354 feet
Difficulty: moderately easy
Distance from Asheville: 1 hour 8 minutes
Good for swimming? No

Linville Falls is one of the most beautiful and accessible hikes near Asheville. This 1.9-mile round-trip trail winds through shady forest and follows the roar of the river as it leads you to several dramatic waterfall overlooks.

Each overlook gives you a different view of the stunning, two-tiered waterfall as it crashes down into the Linville Gorge.

You can also go to Linville Falls via Plunge Basin (1.7 miles and 508 feet of elevation gain) for a different perspective of the waterfall and a slightly harder hike.

Linville Falls shorter hike, but the scenery felt like something out of a national park. To make a day of it, add on Hawksbill Mountain (see below) and end your day at Linville Winery for snacks and drinks.

Graveyard Fields

Distance: 1.3-3.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 173-413 feet
Difficulty: moderately easy
Distance from Asheville: 59 minutes

Graveyard Fields is one of the most popular hikes on the Blue Ridge Parkway—and for good reason.

You can keep it short with the 1.3-mile loop to Lower Falls, or hike 3.2 miles round-trip to Upper Falls for a bit more adventure. Either way, you’ll get waterfalls, wide-open views, and a mix of forest and meadow.

This area really stands out in the fall. The shrubs and trees turn bright shades of red, orange, and yellow, and the cooler temps make hiking more comfortable.

We think the loop is great if you’re short on time, but the Upper Falls trail feels quieter and more rewarding. Expect some muddy spots and boardwalk sections, especially after rain.

Max Patch

Distance: 1.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 308 feet
Difficulty: moderately easy
Distance from Asheville: 1 hour 15 minutes

Max Patch is one of the best ways to experience the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina.

This wide, grassy bald sits high on a mountain ridge and offers 360-degree views that stretch into Tennessee and the Great Smoky Mountains.

It’s only about 1.5 miles round-trip if you hike the loop from the parking area, but you’ll feel like you’re on top of the world.

We like this spot because it gives you a real taste of the Appalachian Trail without a long or difficult hike. You’ll probably see thru-hikers resting or passing through, especially in spring and early fall.

Sunset and sunrise are especially beautiful here, and the open views make it a great place for a picnic or just lying back in the grass.

Frying Pan Mountain Lookout Tower

Distance: 1.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 351 feet
Difficulty: moderately easy
Distance from Asheville: 43 minutes

If you’re looking for wide-open mountain views with hardly any effort, Frying Pan Mountain Lookout Tower delivers.

It’s just 1.5 miles round-trip on a gravel road, leading you straight to one of the tallest lookout towers in the area.

You can climb the stairs nearly to the top—enough to get sweeping views in every direction—but the upper platform is closed to the public.

Still, the views from the steps are some of the best you’ll find without a long hike.

If you’re set on reaching the very top of a tower, keep Rich Mountain Lookout Tower in mind—it’s fully open and mentioned later on this list.

Hawksbill Mountain

Distance: 2.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 682 feet
Difficulty: moderate
Distance from Asheville: 1 hour 30 minutes

Hawksbill Mountain is one of those hikes we kept going back to, no matter how many trails we explored while living in Asheville.

It’s a 2.1-mile round-trip hike that climbs steeply through the forest before opening up to one of the best views in the Linville Gorge.

From the summit, you get a dramatic, wide-angle look into the “Grand Canyon of the East,” with cliffs, rugged terrain, and endless layers of mountains.

It’s the kind of view that stops you in your tracks every time. We always found it worth the effort, and even on repeat visits, it never felt any less special.

Catawba Falls

Distance: 2.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 308 feet
Difficulty: moderately easy
Distance from Asheville: 29 minutes

Catawba Falls has been high on our list for years, but it was closed during our time in Asheville while crews added new stairs and a boardwalk to improve access and safety.

Now that it’s reopened, we’ve only heard great things from hikers who’ve made the trip.

The trail is about 3 miles round-trip and leads to a stunning, multi-tiered waterfall tucked into a lush, green cove.

With the new improvements, it’s more accessible than ever while still feeling like a true mountain adventure. Even though we haven’t hiked it ourselves yet, it’s one we’re really looking forward to one day.

Cloudland Trail to Roan High Bluff

Distance: 2.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 288 feet
Difficulty: moderate
Distance from Asheville: 1 hour 36 minutes

If you want a hike that feels like something out of a dream, head to the Cloudland Trail to Roan High Bluff.

This short 1.2-mile round-trip trail takes you through spruce-fir forest and ends at a wooden platform with one of the most beautiful views in the Roan Highlands.

While you’re up there, don’t miss the Rhododendron Gardens just a short walk from the trailhead. They’re the largest natural rhododendron gardens in the world. And if you visit in mid to late June, you’ll catch the blooms at their peak.

Between the high-elevation views and the flowers, Roan is easily one of the most stunning spots in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Crabtree Falls

Distance: 2.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 570 feet
Difficulty: moderate
Distance from Asheville: 1 hour 16 minutes

We hiked Crabtree Falls in December for my birthday, and even in the middle of winter, the waterfall was roaring. That alone says a lot about how powerful and steady this waterfall is.

The trail is a 2.6-mile loop that winds through the forest, crosses a few small bridges, and leads you right to the base of the falls.

One thing to know: you hike downhill first, which means you’ll need to save some energy for the climb back out of the valley after you visit the waterfall.

But the view from the bottom is what makes this hike so memorable. Water spills down a 70-foot rock face, and even after seeing dozens of waterfalls, this one stood out.

It’s one of our favorite hikes off the Blue Ridge Parkway, and we always recommend it, no matter the season.

Black Balsam Knob & Tennent Mountain

Distance: 3.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 784 feet
Difficulty: moderate
Distance from Asheville: 1 hour 3 minutes

The hike to Black Balsam Knob and Tennent Mountain is one of the most scenic stretches of trail near Asheville.

We started on the Art Loeb Trail and hiked across open, grassy balds with long-range views almost the entire way. Black Balsam Knob comes first—it’s pretty, with wide meadows and fresh mountain air, but the views there didn’t quite blow us away.

Tennent Mountain, though, is where it all comes together. The 360-degree views from the summit were some of the best we’ve seen near Asheville.

Layers of ridgelines stretch out in every direction, and on a clear day, it feels like you can see forever. This trail quickly became one of our all-time favorites, and we’d go back in a heartbeat.

Rainbow Falls, Turtleback Falls, and Drift Falls

Distance: 3.9 miles
Elevation Gain: 770 feet
Difficulty: moderate
Distance from Asheville: 1 hour 14 minutes
Good for swimming? YES

Rainbow Falls and Turtleback Falls made for an awesome hike with three waterfalls in just a few miles. The trail is about 3.9 miles round-trip and starts in Gorges State Park (which is a super underrated state park).

We hiked this trail in the fall when the air was cool and the leaves were bright yellow, orange, and red. Even though it was too chilly for a swim, it was still one of our favorite waterfall hikes.

Rainbow Falls is the main event—a powerful, 150-foot waterfall that creates mist and rainbows on sunny days.

A little farther up the trail, Turtleback Falls offers a gentler cascade and a popular swimming hole when the weather’s warm.

If you have time, you can keep hiking to Drift Falls, but we ran out of daylight before getting there.

Grandfather Mountain

Distance: 4.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,578 feet
Difficulty: hard
Distance from Asheville: 1 hour 35 minutes

Our visit to Grandfather Mountain was one of the most memorable things we’ve done in North Carolina.

We started with the Mile High Swinging Bridge, which is worth the stop on its own—standing above the treetops with mountain views in every direction was unforgettable.

We didn’t hike to Calloway Peak, but it’s known for being one of the most challenging and rewarding hikes in the area.

With ladders, cables, and steep drop-offs, it feels more like an obstacle course than a trail. If you’re up for the exposure, the views along the ridgeline are incredible.

It’s not for everyone, but those who hike it say it’s one of the best adventures in the Blue Ridge.

Even without making the trek to Calloway Peak, Grandfather Mountain Park is 100% worth the visit for families and adults alike.

John Rock Loop

Distance: 4.7 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,066 feet
Difficulty: moderate
Distance from Asheville: 48 minutes

John Rock Loop is a great choice for mountain views without the crowds that usually come with them.

This 4.7-mile loop climbs steadily through quiet forest and rewards you with a wide, open view of Looking Glass Rock and the Blue Ridge Parkway from the top of John Rock.

It’s still a moderately challenging hike, with about 1,066 feet of elevation gain, but it felt well-paced and never too steep.

It’s a great alternative to Looking Glass Rock (see below) if you’re looking for something a little more low-key but just as scenic.

Rich Mountain Fire Tower Lookout

Distance: 5.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,446 feet
Difficulty: moderately difficult
Distance from Asheville: 42 minutes

Rich Mountain Fire Tower is one of the few places where you can climb all the way to the top of a historic fire tower—and the 360-degree views are worth every step.

The hike is just under 4 miles round-trip and follows a peaceful stretch of the Appalachian Trail, where we passed several thru-hikers during our visit.

The climb to the tower is steady but not too tough, and the reward at the top is one of the best panoramic views we’ve seen in the area.

Standing above the treetops, you can take in layers of ridgelines in every direction. Plus, this trail is less well known, so you will see far fewer people besides thru-hikers.

Looking Glass Rock

Distance: 5.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,679 feet
Difficulty: hard
Distance from Asheville: 46 minutes

Looking Glass Rock is one of the most popular—and most challenging—hikes near Asheville.

It’s about 5.6 miles round-trip with over 1,700 feet of elevation gain, so be ready for a steady, uphill climb through thick forest almost the entire way.

We hiked it in July, and the heat and humidity made it feel even tougher. If you go, we recommend starting early and picking a cooler day if you can.

The payoff at the top is worth it: a massive rock outcrop with sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s a tough hike, but the kind that sticks with you long after you’ve finished.

Daffodil Flats

Distance: 5.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,706 feet
Difficulty: hard
Distance from Asheville: 1 hour 10 minutes

Daffodil Flats is a special hike that we only recommend during bloom, which usually falls in mid to late February.

That’s when thousands of daffodils cover the forest floor in a quiet, open field deep in the Linville Gorge. It’s one of the best off-season hikes we’ve done, but don’t let the flowers fool you—this trail is a serious workout.

You hike downhill first, which makes the return climb feel even harder. Recent trail work has added more switchbacks, but the hike is steep and long on the way out.

Even as experienced hikers, we found it challenging. Bring more water and food than you think you’ll need.

The daffodils are beautiful, but you’ll earn it for sure.

Laurel River Trail

Distance: up to 7.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 354 feet
Difficulty: easy
Distance from Asheville: 40 minutes

The Laurel River Trail is one of those hikes where the journey is more important than the destination. It’s 7.2 miles round-trip if you go the whole way, but we’ve never felt the need to finish it.

Just hike as far as you want, then turn around when you’re ready.

The trail follows an old railroad grade along the river, so it stays mostly flat and easy. You’ll pass by deep swimming holes, small rapids, and a peaceful green tunnel of trees that makes it especially nice in summer.

It’s a relaxing, choose-your-own-distance kind of hike—great for hot days or when you just want to spend some quiet time by the water.

Favorite Trails that are Currently Closed

These next few trails are some of our all-time favorites, but they’ve been closed indefinitely due to damage from Hurricane Florence and its lingering effects.

We’re including them here in case they reopen in the future—they’re well worth the visit when they do.

Mount Mitchell Summit Trail

Distance: 0.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 91 feet
Difficulty: moderately easy

At just 0.4 miles round-trip, this short paved trail isn’t much of a hike, but it leads to the highest point east of the Mississippi River. The views from the summit platform are incredible on a clear day, with layers of Blue Ridge peaks stretching as far as the eye can see.

Even with the crowds, we always found it worth the stop. The drive up through Mount Mitchell State Park is beautiful, and it’s one of those iconic places that everyone visiting the Asheville area should experience at least once.

Craggy Pinnacle Trail

Distance: 2.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 567 feet
Difficulty: moderately easy

Craggy Pinnacle was always one of our go-to hikes when we had visitors in town. It’s only 1.4 miles round-trip, but the views from the top are some of the best along the Blue Ridge Parkway.

You get a full 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains, especially beautiful at sunrise or sunset.

The trail winds through dense rhododendron and mountain laurel, and during peak bloom in early summer, it’s absolutely stunning.

It’s a short hike, but it feels like a full mountain experience. We’re hoping this one reopens soon—it’s one of those trails we never got tired of doing.

Party Rock Trail

Distance: 2.3 miles
Elevation Gain: 895 feet
Difficulty: moderate

Party Rock Trail near Lake Lure quickly became one of our favorite hidden gems. The trail climbs to a wide, rocky overlook with a stunning view of Lake Lure and the mountains beyond.

The view is big, open, and feels completely different from the higher-elevation hikes along the Parkway.

You used to need a permit to access the trail, but the site to get one was taken down after Hurricane Helene. Since then, the trail has been closed indefinitely.

If it reopens, it’s absolutely worth the effort—especially if you’re looking for something off the beaten path with a big reward at the end.

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