When you’re looking for fun things to do in Asheville, NC, finding awesome hiking spots might be one of the top things on your list. The Craggy Gardens, Mount Mitchell, and more — help make Asheville’s Smoky Mountains (and other nearby areas) a must-visit travel destination. Imagine perfect rock formations, fresh natural mountain air, and a population of just 91,000 people: You’re probably packing your bags already!

It’s time to take a trip to North Carolina’s hiking hotspot! Hikers across the country would agree.

Craggy Gardens

Craggy Gardens boasts a large open area and a visitor center open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. In early May, you can take incredible photos of the large rhododendrons that flourish here. You can also see countless other flowers like violets, lilies, roses and more. If the flowers aren’t convincing enough, there’s an incredible 360 degree viewof the stunning blue ridge mountain at the peak of this hike. This hike is stunning, memorable, fairly easy, and a great opportunity to see the best qualities of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Do yourself a favor and don’t miss it!

If you walk the full trail at these gardens, you’ll find a beautiful picnic area right at the 367.6 milepost from the main starting point. You’ll also find placards teaching you the history of the plants and wildlife in this special area. Restrooms are also available, in case you need to make a quick stop. 

Mount Mitchell 

The Mount Mitchell trail is perfect for all things hiking in Asheville, NC. The original Cherokee native name for this trail and area is Attakulla, a name many Native American tribes still recognize today. Mount Mitchell is the highest peak in the Appalachian Mountains. You’ll find its trail and park right in Yancey County, by the very heart and center of Burnsville. 

The trail’s got an estimated elevation of 6,684 feet, meaning that you’re likely to break a sweat. The first two people to ever ascend this mountain were Michael David Walsh and Tom Martin, but they certainly aren’t the last! You’ll find this distinct, somewhat secluded little trail just 19 miles northeast of the Asheville central area. Put “Mount Mitchell Peak in North Carolina” in your Google Maps app, and it’ll take you straight there. 

Mount Pisgah  

Mount Pisgah contains some of the most breathtaking hiking trails in Asheville, NC. You’ll find this hiking spot nestled away in the Blue Ridge Mountains, a subsection of the great Appalachian Mountain region. The elevation here remains at around 5,721′ with a typical projected prominence of 1,362′. This area travels through Buncombe and Haywood counties. Please note that there are many muddy areas in the climb, and to take your time to make it all the way up (a bigger challenge in itself than you might initially think). You can do it!

To get here, head onto I-40 W, the fastest route there; it’s about 35 miles or 54 minutes from the eastern tip of Asheville. Get off on US-19 S/US-23 S to get to Williams Street right in the Canton area. There will be plenty of highway signs and markers pointing you as you get closer and closer. Get off on exit 237 and then follow the US-19 S/US-23 S signs. Eventually, when you see NC-110 S, get on it. Then, get off on US-276 S and you’ll gradually see the option to go left on Pisgah Mountain Rd. Do so and you’ll see the Mount Pisgah hiking trails and their entrance signs.

Graveyard Fields

Here, you’ll discover some of the best hiking trails in Asheville, NC. Open 24/7 and at 5,020 ft elevation, Graveyard Fields also dominates its own subsection of the Blue Ridge Mountains. There are several unique trails in Graveyard fields, and it is recommended to take pictures of the map at the beginning of the trail and pay attention to colored trail markers during your adventure.

They call this place Graveyard Fields because of the stumps in the area that have a similar resemblance to grave markers. The stumps appeared thanks to a wildfire that devastated the area in 1925, converting the area to a tree-graveyard of sorts. No need to worry though, the forest has been happily recovering ever since and has been restored to its lush, green glory. There are two main hikes that attract tourists here, the Upper Falls trail and the Lower Falls trail. Lower falls is short, simple, and has a gorgeous waterfall & swimming hole at the end, so bring your swim suit & sunscreen! The Upper Falls is a longer hiking trail with a gorgeous waterfall as well, but swimming here is not safe, nor is it recommended.

Biltmore Trails

Every path on the Biltmore Trails is so well-marked that it would be hard for you to get lost or disoriented. Plus, there are 22 full miles of trails to explore. There are multiple gardens and sub-trails along the way, which will keep even the veteran hiker entertained and challenged. If you crave a true challenge, then complete a full walk through the intertwined Deer Park Trail, Arbor Trace Trail, or Westover Trails. Each are about 3.5 miles round-trip.

These trails are about 5 miles from Asheville and should best get here by car. Driving, start by heading East on S Pack Square toward S Market Street (turning right when you get here) and then making a sharp left on Biltmore Avenue, followed by a right on Southside Avenue. Get onto McDowell Street, once you see it on your left; once you see Biltmore Estate Drive after that, on your right, get onto it. On seeing Approach Road, go left. The Biltmore Trails are on your right, marked by signs. 

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