Best Romantic Hikes Near Asheville (Waterfalls, Sunsets & More!) for Couples 2024

Hey y’all! My name is Miranda and my husband and I met, got engaged and got married here in Asheville. We have also hiked hundreds of miles together on trails in the Blue Ridge Mountains around North Carolina. This post will help you and your loved one get the most out of your time in the mountains.

Whether you’re going on a first date, newlyweds on a honeymoon or celebrating an anniversary, Asheville, North Carolina is the perfect place for a romantic getaway for outdoor lovers (pun intended).

The Asheville area has hundreds of trails and waterfalls to explore… Which is precisely the problem: there are too many hikes to choose from – especially if you are only here for a day or a weekend.

In this post I’ll help you narrow it down to your best hiking options and share:

• The only place you can experience a romantic yoga + meditation + hiking micro retreat™
• The best romantic hikes near Asheville for couples
• The best romantic hikes near Asheville with waterfalls
• Mistakes to avoid when planning/doing a sunset hike
• The best sunset hikes near Asheville
• The best Blue Ridge Parkway Sunset Spots & Views Near Asheville

Download your free Asheville travel + retreat guide for more dining, lodging and shopping recommendations and advice for couples!

The only place couples can experience a romantic meditation + hiking + yoga micro retreat™

Waterfall meditation + hiking + yoga micro retreat™

The fastest, easiest way to plan a romantic hike near Asheville, North Carolina

The easiest way to plan a great, romantic hike while visiting the mountains near Asheville, NC is to join a group hiking tour with a small, local business. You’ll worry and stress less by going hiking with a knowledgeable guide who will help:
• prevent you from getting lost (while hiking or driving)
• keep you informed of current weather conditions and information
• guarantees help if you or your partner get injured while hiking

Namaste in Nature has created unique 2–3 hour micro retreat™ experiences that combine yoga, hiking and meditation with the best mountain views, waterfalls and vortex that you can only experience here near Asheville, North Carolina.

Benefits of yoga, meditation and mindfulness for couples

Studies have shown that couples who engage in challenging new activities together can feel an increase in both relationship quality and romantic attraction. Learning new skills together allows couples to have fun while slowing down, spending quality time, and sharing a meaningful experience.

Yoga encourages mindfulness, which studies have linked to happier relationships. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Human Sciences and Extension found a positive association between increased mindfulness, which is defined as “an open attention to and awareness of the present moment,” and higher relationship satisfaction.

Being in the moment while breathing and posing with your partner can reinvigorate your connection, making you both feel more satisfied in your relationship.

Plus, we’ll take and share pictures with you for free so you can stay present and you’re not just stuck with selfies your entire trip. ;)

Sunset Hikes Reviews from Couples

Our meditation + hiking + yoga micro retreat™ tour experiences are super popular with couples like you – especially the Waterfall and Sunset Mountaintop Vortex options!

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“Beautiful scenery along the hike, Kellie was very personable and had amazing energy! There was no awkward silence or anything, she was very patient and did an amazing job of guiding us through the yoga exercises. I loved the yoga session at sunset it was beautiful.” – Deniece H. September 2023

BOOK A MORNING MOUNTAINTOP VORTEX MICRO RETREAT™

What’s a vortex? Learn more here.

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“This was a wonderful experience on a beautiful day at a great location. Hayley was an amazing guide with good knowledge about the area and pointed out lots of interesting features along the hike. She was so personable and had good heart energy! She chose a great spot for the meditation. We hiked further to an even better spot for the yoga. Her yoga flow was energizing, grounding and great for all levels of experience. She chanted a beautiful mantra with her Tibetan singing bowl for us and closed in all this beautiful energy with a soothing herbal tea! Blissful and so much more than we expected. ❤️” – Dee V. February 2023

BOOK A WATERFALL MICRO RETREAT™

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“Truly a magical experience for my husband and I! Jacqueline was the best!!!!! I will definitely be booking again the best time we are in town!” – Robyn R. October 2022

BOOK A MOUNTAINTOP VORTEX SUNSET MICRO RETREAT™

What’s a vortex? Learn more here.

Check out our yoga retreat options if you’re looking for a one day, two day or weekend experience.

The best romantic hikes near Asheville for couples

I’ve spent thousands of hours over the past 8 years researching, driving, hiking, filming/editing videos and putting together this list of Asheville area trails - most with videos - so you and your loved one spend less time planning and more time exploring together!

What no one tells you about “hiking Asheville.”

Besides the Arboretum (paid entry), Bent Creek and a few others, there aren’t a ton of trails within the actual borders of Asheville, North Carolina. All the best waterfalls and mountain sunset views you see in glossy tourism brochures and on social media… you’re gonna have to drive a bit to get to those. So I highly recommend renting or having your own car for transportation. This also gives you the most freedom and flexibility to explore.

My husband and I definitely went on a lot of date hikes near Asheville. Here are some of my favorites:

✨ MOUNTAINTOP VORTEX MICRO RETREATS™ / APRIL - SEPTEMBER / N OF ASHEVILLE

✨ WATERFALL MICRO RETREAT™ / YEAR ROUND / E OF ASHEVILLE

Short/easy hikes & trails near Asheville, North Carolina

▶️ Chimney Rock / Easy (Elevator) - Moderate Stair Climb / Chimney Rock State Park / Lake Lure, NC / SE of Asheville, NC / Paid Admission

▶️ Graveyard Fields Lower Falls / Easy 1.3 mile loop / Blue Ridge Parkway / Brevard, NC / 47 miles SW of Asheville

▶️ Pearson’s Falls / Easy 0.7 miles / Saluda, NC / 39 miles S of Asheville / Paid Admission

My best friend got married at Pearson’s Falls

Discover more short (less than 2 miles) trails and easy trails in my free Asheville hiking guide.

Moderate hikes & trails near Asheville, North Carolina

John Rock Trail Loop / Moderate 4.6 mile loop / Pisgah National Forest, Brevard, NC / 38 miles SW of Asheville

▶️ Rattlesnake Lodge / via Ox Creek Road Moderate 3.7 miles / Pisgah National Forest / Weaverville, NC / 10 miles N of Asheville

Hubby and I enjoying a couples hike at Rattlesnake Lodge in Fall/Autumn near Asheville, NC

▶️ Wildcat Rock / Moderate 3.5 miles / Hickory Nut Gorge / Gerton, NC / 18 miles SE of Asheville

Discover more moderate, medium length (2-4 miles) trails and long (4+ miles) trails in my free Asheville hiking guide.

The best romantic hikes near Asheville with waterfalls

Waterfall meditation + hiking + yoga micro retreat™ for couples

✨ WATERFALL MICRO RETREAT™ / YEAR ROUND / E OF ASHEVILLE

▶️ Bridal Veil Falls Moderate 4.7 miles / Dupont State Recreational Forest / Cedar Mountain, NC / 37 miles S of Asheville

▶️ Rainbow Falls Trail / Moderate 3.9 miles (includes Turtleback Falls) / Gorges State Park / Sapphire, NC / 55 miles SW of Asheville

▶️ Skinny Dip Falls / Easy 1 mile / Blue Ridge Parkway / Balsam Grove, NC / 33 miles SW of Asheville

Twin Falls / via Buckhorn Gap Trail / Moderate 3.8 mile loop / Pisgah National Forest / Pisgah Forest, NC / 36 miles SW of Asheville

My husband and I eloped at Twin Falls

▶️ Wintergreen Falls / Easy 3.1 miles / Dupont State Recreational Forest / Cedar Mountain, NC / 37 miles S of Asheville

Hubby and I enjoying a romantic couples waterfall hike at Wintergreen Falls

Discover more waterfall hikes & trails in my free Asheville hiking guide.

The best sunset hikes near Asheville

Mountaintop vortex meditation + hiking + yoga micro retreat™ near Asheville, North Carolina

Mistakes to avoid WHEN PLANNING/DOING a sunset hike

FYI the hardest part about planning a sunset hike is the timing. The sun will set any time between 5 PM and 9 PM depending on the season, month and day.

Especially if you’re just visiting, it’s hard to figure out:
• how far/long the drive to the trailhead will take
• how long the hike will take
• when to start hiking so you actually see the sunset
• when to finish hiking so it’s not totally dark which increases your chances of injuries and getting lost

Booking a ✨ MOUNTAINTOP VORTEX SUNSET MICRO RETREAT™ with Namaste in Nature helps you save time & energy and stress less knowing we’ve solved all these problems for you and have helped tons of other couples enhance & enjoy their romantic sunset experience. If you’re wondering: what’s a vortex? Learn more here.

Here are more trail location options if you prefer to plan everything on your own:

▶️ Bearwallow Mountain / Moderate 2.1 miles / Hickory Nut Gorge / Gerton, NC / 19 miles SE of Asheville [Across from Trombatore Trail]

▶️ Max Patch Loop / Easy 1.5 mile loop / Appalachian Trail / Pisgah National Forest / Hot Springs, NC / 41 miles NW of Asheville

Discover more of my favorite mountain views in my free Asheville hiking guide.

The best Blue Ridge Parkway Sunset Spots & Views Near Asheville

✨ MOUNTAINTOP VORTEX SUNSET MICRO RETREATS™ / APRIL - SEPTEMBER / N OF ASHEVILLE

▶️ Black Balsam Knob / via Art Loeb Trail / Moderate 1.5 miles / Blue Ridge Parkway / Pisgah National Forest / Balsam Grove, NC / 47 miles SW of Asheville