Hiking

Hiking in Asheville, NC

Hiking in Asheville, NC is one of the many favorite activities that guests can enjoy when staying at Asheville Cabins of Willow Winds. From urban walking trails to hikes that will take your breath away, explore Asheville outdoors with one of these hiking trails.

Mt. Mitchell

Mt. Mitchell State Park
2388 NC-128
Burnsville, NC 28714

Hike to the top of Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak of the Appalachian Mountains and the highest peak east of the Mississippi River. At the summit, enjoy an observation deck, museum, and panoramic views up to 85 miles out! Either drive to the top, or hike the Old Mitchell Trail, 2.2 miles (one way), beginning at the State Park office.

Chimney Rock Park

Highway 64/74A
Chimney Rock, NC 28720
800-277-9611

When hiking in Asheville, NC be sure to head out to Chimney Rock Park. As one of Asheville’s most popular hikes, it features a waterfall, wooded forests, hiking trails, and panoramic views from the large outcropping known as Chimney Rock. The park is 24 miles from Willow Winds.

The Asheville Urban Trail Walking Tour

Begins at Pack Place
Biltmore Avenue at Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
828-259-5815

A popular activity for guests of Asheville vacation rentals is the Asheville Urban Trail. This walking tour of Asheville tells the story of the city’s past with 30 stations highlighted on the trail, each with its own story, and many with original public art. Walkers can start anywhere they see an engraved pink granite Urban Trail marker, but station one is at Pack Square.

The Botanical Gardens at Asheville

151 W.T. Weaver Boulevard
Asheville, NC 28804
828-252-5190

Open year-round sunrise to sunset, The Botanical Gardens at Asheville feature more than 600 species of trees, shrubs, wildflowers, vines, grasses, and sedges native to the Southern Appalachians. With walking trails and picnic areas, it’s a perfect outing and just minutes from our Asheville, NC, cabins. Office open weekdays 11 am to 3 pm, Garden Path Gift Shop open mid-March through mid-December 10 am to 4 pm daily (closed Thanksgiving).

DuPont State Forest

Henderson and Transylvania Counties
between Hendersonville and Brevard, NC
828-877-6527

The DuPont State Forest includes 10,400 acres with more than 80 miles of roads and trails, four major waterfalls and five lakes. At just 29 miles from Willow Winds, this makes a great day trip.

Mountains-To-Sea Trail

Friends of the Mountains-To-Sea Trail
P.O. Box 10431
Raleigh, NC 27605
919-698-9024

The Mountains-To-Sea Trail stretches approximately 1,000 miles from Clingman’s Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains to Jockey’s Ridge on North Carolina’s Outer Banks on the coast. Catch a section of the trail right from our property! Use our property map to find your route from your cabin.

North Carolina Arboretum

100 Frederick Law Olmsted Way
Asheville, NC 28806
828-665-2492

The North Carolina Arboretum encompasses 434 acres including 65 acres of cultivated gardens and 10 miles of hiking and biking trails within seven miles of Willow Winds. The Arboretum features indoor and outdoor exhibits, gift shop and calendar of special events. Open daily 8 am to 9 pm April 1 through October 31, 8 am to 7 pm November 1 through March 31. Exhibit center, education center and Bonsai Exhibition Garden open daily 9 am to 5 pm. Café open Tuesday through Saturday 11 am to 4 pm.

Folk Art Center

382 Blue Ridge Parkway
Asheville, NC 28805
828-298-7928

Located at milepost 382 along the Blue Ridge Parkway, seven miles from Willow Winds, is the Folk Art Center, a museum of the Appalachian arts and crafts. Here, hikers can pick up the Mountains to Sea Trail for a nice out and back hike or using two cars, a through hike. It’s your choice!

Pisgah National Forest

National Forests in North Carolina
Supervisor’s Office
160 Zillicoa Street, Suite A
Asheville, NC 28801
828-257-4200

Much of Western North Carolina is covered by National Forest lands, making it a hiker’s paradise right in the backyard of Willow Winds’ property. Below are a few recommended hikes to do within Pisgah National Forest:

Looking Glass Falls (29 miles from Willow Winds) – A scenic destination where you can enjoy stunning waterfall views with a short walk or even from the road. The cascading waterfall rushes in at 60 feet tall while plunging into the wading pool below.

Sliding Rock (31 miles from Willow Winds) – Featuring a 60-foot natural water slide, the hike to Sliding Rock is perfect for those hot summer days.

For maps or information on great places to hike, call the National Forest Service at 828-257-4200 or look up Pisgah National Forest on U.S. Forest Service website.

Craggie Gardens

Craggie Gardens Visitor Center
264 Blue Ridge Parkway
Black Mountain, NC 28711

Just 24 miles from Willow Winds along the Blue Ridge Parkway, Craggie Gardens is a spectacular area known for its jagged, “craggy” rocks and the colorful blooms of rhododendron. There are three main sections to this area: Craggy Gardens Trail to Craggy Flats (milepost 367.5), Craggy Gardens Visitor Center (milepost 364.4), and Craggy Pinnacle (milepost 364.1). The best time to see the blooms is mid-June, the perfect time to book your cabin at Willow Winds!

Catawba Falls

26 miles from Willow Winds, Catawba Falls Trail is a nice easy hike near Asheville that offers a beautiful waterfall. Hikers will find a gentle series of mini waterfalls tumble over 100 feet into a pool of water at the end of the 1.5-mile trail (one way).

Graveyard Fields

Found at milepost 418.8 along the Blue Ridge Parkway, just 32 miles from Willow Winds, the Graveyard Fields features two waterfalls, an open valley with wildflowers – all surrounded by 6,000-foot peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The longest hike is the 3.5-mile loop that takes you through the meadows and to the second waterfall.

Holmes Educational State Park

1299 Crab Creek Rd. #8440
Hendersonville, NC 28739

The Holmes Educational State Park, only 29 miles from Willow Winds, is an interpretive park with trails suitable for the entire family. Discover several rock outcroppings, scenic vistas, flowering blooms, plus well-marked trails with exhibits and displays.

Max Patch Trail

Coined the “the crown jewel of the Appalachian Trail,” the Max Patch Trail leads to one of the more distinguishing landmarks in Southern Appalachia. A “bald,” meaning a hilltop without a single tree, the prominent feature can be seen from almost anywhere along the Blue Ridge Parkway. At the top, enjoy views of Mt. Mitchell to the east and the Great Smoky Mountains to the south. There are two routes to the top. One is a direct-to-the-top route at 1.4 miles, one way. Or the 2.4-mile loop. This trail is just under 50 miles from Willow Winds.

Grandfather Mountain

2050 Blowing Rock Highway
Linville, NC 28646

Hiking in Asheville, NC isn’t complete until you visit Grandfather Mountain. Located 69 miles from Willow Winds, Grandfather Mountain towers over northwest North Carolina at 5,946 feet and is a major attraction in the Asheville area. Featuring hiking trails, a nature museum, wildlife viewing, and the famous mile high swinging bridge, a visit to Grandfather Mountain makes for a great day trip!

Discover more activities and things to do during your stay at Asheville Cabins of Willow Winds!

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