![]() ![]() Our favorite loop hike here takes you to two waterfalls. The name comes from the appearance of the landscape after logging and fire altered the appearance of the forest. Graveyard Fields is family-friendly hike on the Blue Ridge Parkway that has something for everyone and offers several hiking options. While the hike is shorter (1.5 miles round trip), Frying Pan is best for those who aren’t afraid of heights. Not far away on the Blue Ridge Parkway, is another area favorite trail: Frying Pan Tower. When you reach the top, you’ll have a view of another well-known peak: Cold Mountain. Hike to the top of Asheville’s most recognizable mountain! The 5,721-foot summit can easily be seen from downtown Asheville and is perfectly framed by the windows at Biltmore. See our guide to the Hard Times Loop trail. The gentle trail takes you through Bent Creek Experimental Forest and the North Carolina Arboretum, offering views of mountain ridges, Lake Powhatan and even a glimpse of Biltmore. While the name “Hard Times” sounds ominous, this hike is actually one of the easiest on the list. The trail head is just 15 minutes from downtown Asheville. The Lunch Rocks Trail takes you through the forest to a rock outcropping that overlooks the Haw Creek Valley. The Folk Art Center, the most visited attraction on the Blue Ridge Parkway, is your starting point for this Mountains-to-Sea Trail. See our guide to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail at Craven Gap hike. It’s a relatively easy hike through the forest. The hike that begins at Craven Gap is a good introduction to Asheville’s mountain scenery. Just a couple miles from the trail head to Rattlesnake Lodge, you’ll find another popular hike on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. This moderate hike follows the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, which connects the Great Smoky Mountains to the North Carolina Outer Banks. The lodge was destroyed by a fire in 1920, but some stone ruins remain. ![]() Hike round trip distance: 3.0 milesĮxplore local history by taking a hike to Rattlesnake Lodge, the former summer home of Asheville physician and outdoor activist Dr. For a quick, easier hike, take the paved and handicap accessible Summit Trail to the lookout platform on top of Mount Mitchell. The Deep Gap Trail is considered moderate-to-strenuous. Hike from the highest peak east of the Mississippi River ( Mount Mitchell) to the second highest one, Mount Craig! On the ridge line of the Black Mountains, you’ll often find yourself above the clouds. See our guide to the Craggy Pinnacle hike. And, this trail is one of the best places to see the stunning pink rhododendron blooms which typically appear in late May/early June. ![]() In addition to long-range views, you’ll see dramatic rock formations. Craggy Pinnacle at Craggy Gardens is an iconic Asheville adventure that is relatively close to town. This short hike leads to a big payoff with 360-degree, postcard perfect views at the summit. With so many hiking trails to choose from, we’ve narrowed it down to these top 10 Blue Ridge Parkway hikes within an hour of Asheville. In the Asheville area, the Blue Ridge Parkway is your base camp for hiking to 6,000-foot mountaintops, exploring refreshing waterfalls or taking a leisurely stroll through a fragrant balsam forest. Find your perfect Asheville hiking trail! Use our Asheville Hike Finder to easily filter by distance from downtown, trail length and difficulty level. The Blue Ridge Parkway offers easy access to all kinds of hiking adventures, from short walks to day-long treks. You could call the Parkway the country’s greatest hiking trailhead. The Blue Ridge Parkway is more than a scenic drive. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |