Best 25 Hikes, Waterfalls Near Asheville, North Carolina
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It’s great that there are so many terrific trails and waterfalls within an hour’s drive near Asheville, North Carolina...
… BUT it’s totally overwhelming to choose which one is best for you. 🤷
When I first moved here, I had to spend hours clicking through a bunch of different webpages and maps and apps in order to compare, plan and locate the places I wanted to hike. That’s why I created this easy and efficient list of trails and short, 360º trail videos.
All you need to see and know in one place: ashevillehikeswaterfalls.com
I’ve explored all of these areas myself and these are my favorite 25 trails with the BEST payoffs: wonderful waterfalls or amazing mountaintop, summit views.
This is the fastest and easiest way to plan your Asheville area mountain and/or waterfall hikes.
(More information and inks to AllTrails maps/directions for each below.)
This list is for you if:
• you need help narrowing down literally hundreds of hiking options around here
• you don’t have a ton of time
• you don’t want to drive too far
• you don’t want to get lost
• you are visiting or new to the Asheville area
• you don’t have much hiking experience (yet!)
• you are looking for a trail for a mixed group (age, ability, etc)
• you are looking for easy, safe & well maintained trails
There is something for everyone on this list including beginners, kids, families and some harder/longer hikes for those who want more of a challenge.
Here are some emojis to help you choose the trail(s) best for you:
👪 = Family friendly
💦 = Waterfall
⛰️ = Summit View
🚻 = Restrooms
🆓 = Free
💰 = Admission required for entry
🥾= Trail Length (Miles) + Difficulty
📍 = Location
🧭 = Direction from Asheville
🔵 = On or near Blue Ridge Parkway
🧺 = Picnic Area
❄️ = Best for Winter
🗺️ = Map/Directions Link
🌲 = Guided hike with yoga namasteinnature.com
🐕 All trails allow dogs on leashes EXCEPT for Pearson’s Falls.
Watch the 360º videos below to compare & preview the trails you want to visit and pick the ones that best suit your needs.
REMEMBER TO:
✅ Bookmark this page or ashevillehikeswaterfalls.com so you can easily access this list again
✅ Check the Blue Ridge Parkway Real Time Road Map and/or the NC National Forest Alerts to confirm if any areas are closed ⛔
✅ Save, screenshot or download the trail & directions maps on the AllTrails App BEFORE you start driving. You will most likely lose phone service while driving to the trailhead and while on the trail.
✅ Dress accordingly; temperatures in the mountains are usually 10º - 20º cooler than in town
✅ Follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles
More info to help you plan your Asheville area adventures:
▶️ Click here to Subscribe on YouTube for more new trail videos each week.
Blog: When Is The Best Time To Visit Asheville? (Weather, Nature & Outdoors)
The Complete Yoga Routine for Hikers
🧭 Southwest of Asheville:
1. Looking Glass Falls
👪 💦 🆓 ❄️ 🥾 0.3 Easy📍 Pisgah Forest, Brevard, NC 🧭SW
🗺️ Map/Directions Link
2. Moore Cove Falls
👪 💦 🆓 ❄️ 🥾 1.2 Easy📍 Pisgah Forest/Brevard, NC 🧭SW
🗺️ Map/Directions Link
3. Hooker Falls
👪 💦 🆓 🚻 ❄️ 🥾 0.7 Easy📍 Dupont Forest/Cedar Mountain, NC 🧭SW
🗺️ Map/Directions Link
4. Triple Falls + High Falls
👪 💦 🆓 🚻 🧺 ❄️ 🥾 4.4 Easy/Moderate📍 Dupont Forest/Cedar Mountain, NC 🧭SW
🗺️ Map/Directions Link
5. Bridal Veil Falls (via High Falls/Visitor’s Center)
💦 🆓 ❄️ 🥾 4.7 Easy📍 Dupont Forest/Cedar Mountain, NC 🧭SW
🗺️ Map/Directions Link
6. Wintergreen Falls
💦 🆓 ❄️ 🥾 3.1 Easy/Moderate📍 Dupont Forest/Cedar Mountain, NC 🧭SW
🗺️ Map/Directions Link
7. Looking Glass Rock
⛰️ 🆓 🥾 6.1 Moderate/Strenuous📍 Pisgah Forest/Brevard, NC 🧭SW
🗺️ Map/Directions Link
8. Devil’s Courthouse
👪 ⛰️ 🆓 🔵 🥾 0.8 Easy/Strenuous📍 BRP/Gloucester, NC 🧭SW
🗺️ Map/Directions Link
9. Black Balsam Knob
🌲 ⛰️ 🆓 🚻 🔵 🥾 1.5 Moderate 📍 Pisgah Forest/Canton, NC 🧭SW
🗺️ Map/Directions Link
🌲 Book a guided hike combined with yoga and meditation with Namaste in Nature
10. Sam Knob
⛰️ 🆓 🚻 🔵 🥾 2.5 Moderate/Strenuous📍 Pisgah Forest/Canton, NC 🧭SW
🗺️ Map/Directions Link
11. Graveyard Fields Lower Falls
💦 🆓 🔵 🥾 0.5 Easy📍 BRP/Canton, NC 🧭SW
🗺️ Map/Directions Link
12. Graveyard Fields Trail (Upper Falls)
💦 🆓 🔵 🥾 2.9 Moderate📍 BRP/Canton, NC 🧭SW
🗺️ Map/Directions Link
13. Frying Pan Mountain Lookout Tower
⛰️ 🆓 🔵 🥾 1.5 Easy/Moderate📍 BRP/Canton, NC 🧭SW
🗺️ Map/Directions Link
14. Mount Pisgah
⛰️ 🆓 🧺 🔵 🥾 5.3 Moderate/Strenuous📍 BRP/Canton, NC 🧭SW
🗺️ Map/Directions Link
🧭 South of Asheville:
15. Pearson’s Falls
👪 💦 🚻 🧺 ❄️ 🥾 0.7 Easy📍 Saluda, NC 🧭S
🗺️ Map/Directions Link
💰 Hours & Admission Info
🧭 Southeast of Asheville:
16. Hickory Nut Falls
👪 💦 🚻 🧺 ❄️ 🥾 1.5 Easy📍 Chimney Rock, NC 🧭 SE
🗺️ Map/Directions Link
💰 Hours & Admission Info
17. Chimney Rock (Exclamation Point & Devil’s Head)
👪 ⛰️ 🚻 🧺 ❄️ 🥾 0.6 Easy/Moderate📍 Chimney Rock, NC 🧭SE
🗺️ Map/Directions Link
💰 Hours & Admission Info
18. Bearwallow Mountain
👪 ⛰️ 🆓 ❄️ 🥾 2.1 Moderate📍 Hickory Nut Gorge/Gerton, NC 🧭SE
🗺️ Map/Directions Link
19. Wildcat Rock
⛰️ 🆓 ❄️ 🥾 3.5 Moderate/Strenuous📍 Hickory Nut Gorge/Gerton, NC 🧭SE
🗺️ Map/Directions Link
🧭 Northeast of Asheville:
20. Tom’s Creek Falls
👪 💦 🆓 ❄️ 🥾 0.7 Easy📍 Pisgah Forest/Marion, NC 🧭NE
🗺️ Map/Directions Link
21. Craggy Pinnacle
👪 ⛰️ 🆓 🚻 🥾 1.0 Easy 🔵 📍 BRP/Barnardsville, NC 🧭NE
🗺️ Map/Directions Link
22. Craggy Gardens
👪 ⛰️ 🆓 🚻 🧺 🔵 🥾 1.9 Moderate📍 BRP/Barnardsville, NC 🧭NE
🗺️ Map/Directions Link
🌲 Book a guided hike combined with yoga and meditation with Namaste in Nature
23. Rattlesnake Lodge
⛰️ 🆓 🔵 🥾 3.7 Moderate/Strenuous📍 BRP/Weaverville, NC 🧭NE
🗺️ Map/Directions Link
24. Crabtree Falls
💦 🆓 🚻 🔵 ❄️ 🥾 2.6 Moderate Loop 📍 BRP/Grassy Creek, NC 🧭NE
🗺️ Map/Directions Link
🧭 East of Asheville:
25. Catawba Falls
Note: This location is closed from May 2, 2022 through Spring 2023 for trail upgrades and new construction.
👪 💦 🆓 🚻 ❄️ 🥾 3 Easy📍 Old Fort, NC 🧭E
🗺️ Map/Directions Link
🌲 Book a guided hike combined with yoga and meditation with Namaste in Nature
BONUS VIDEO!
Try this 20 Minute Yoga Practice to open tight hips before and/or after hiking:
Thank you so much for using this list to help plan your time in our beautiful Blue Ridge mountains and happy hiking!
💖 Miranda
More Helpful Hiking Resources:
Blog: When Is The Best Time To Visit Asheville? (Weather, Nature & Outdoors)
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